The Day the Music Died

February 3rd 1959 is the "day the music died." The Winter Dance Party was underway and featured Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson) and Ritchie Valens of "La Bamba" fame. They were travelling to North Dakota from Clear Lake, Iowa when their single engine plane went down. Holly was 22, Richardson 28 and Valens just 17. The pilot, only 21 at the time, also died. Legend has it that country music star Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on the plane to Richardson, who was not feeling well. The entire incident was famously recounted in Don McLean's song "American Pie."

There are several books, including Waylon's autobiography that recount the incident.

http://www.allmusicbooks.com/book/day-music-died

http://www.allmusicbooks.com/book/waylon