A Makeshift Memorial near Clear Lake Iowa at the crash site. |
February 3rd, 1959 is known as The Day The Music Died. Dion Dimucci, who was Buddy Holly’s good friend calls it The Day The Music Exploded. I will explain.
Hally at 19 in 1955. Elvis lent him his Martin guitar for the performance |
Buddy Holly, of Lubbock, Texas made an appearance on television in 1952, when he was playing in a duo called Buddy and Bob. Locally he was recognized, so much so that in 1955 his duo opened a concert for Elvis Presley. That was the day that Buddy Holly decided to ditch Country Music, and go totally Rock and Roll.
In October of that year, his group opened for Bill Haley and The Comets, and Holly caught the eye of a Nashville talent scout. His group traveled to Nashville and recorded at Owen Bradley’s Quonset Hut studio for Decca Records.
Buddy Holly recording |
Holly did not like Bradley's control of the music, selection of the songs, and the confinement of the session. He opted to travel to Clovis, New Mexico and signed with record producer Norman Petty, who had a recent hit with a song called Party Doll.
Buddy Holly and The Crickets |
That recording That’ll Be The Day, turned out to be a big hit. It was followed up by Peggy Sue.
Buddy Holly and the Crickets on the Ed Sullivan Show |
Buddy Holly and The Crickets included Jerry Allison on stand up bass, and Joe B. Mauldin on drums made an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. This increased the groups demand.
Buddy Holly and The Crickets |
Buddy Holly and Maria Elena |
In 1958, Buddy Holly and The Crickets were touring the United States, playing concerts, and dance party venues, and making television appearances. Tommy Allsup was hired to play lead guitar. So the trio became a rock quartet of two guitars, a bass, and drums.
1959 Winter Dance Party Tour |
Holly wrote and recorded many more songs, all of which became hit records. Then came the Winter Dance Party Tour.
Allison, and Mauldin did not want to go, so Buddy hired Tommy Allsup for guitar, Waylon Jenning to play bass, and Carl Bunch as the drummer.
Buddy Holly with Dion and The Belmonts |
The tour started on January 15 of 1959 and was set to last for 24 days, doing 24 concerts, and ending in February.
Buddy during playing at The Winter Dance Party |
Holly had been taking flight lessons while living in New York. Around January 31st he decided to charter a plane to make the 400 or so mile trip to Clear Lake Iowa.
The Plane Crash |
Dion Dimucci said he could have been on the plane, but gave his seat to Richie Valens, who was cold and sick.
After hearing the events the next day in a hotel lobby, Dion said he was crushed by this tragedy, and would not talk about it for years. The video I am attaching is long, but in it he tells the story as he remembers it.
Des Moines Tribune February 3, 1959 |
The point that Dion brings out, by saying this is The Day The Music Exploded, is that after this terrible event, countless bands, usually featuring two guitars, a bass, and drums seemed to pop up everywhere. Holly had set the template. John Mellencamp once said, "Listen to the first three Beatles albums. Take the vocals off, and it is The Crickets."
Look at the Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Hollies (name sound familiar?), and all the other 1960’s groups of the 1960’s. Before leaving on the plane, Holly told Dion Dimucci to “guard my Stratocaster like you guard your balls.” And Dion did just that. He said most of the players owned new 1958 Fender Stratocasters, and they were proud to play them, and took great care of them.
1955 Fender Stratocaster |
In 1955 Holly purchased a brand new Fender Stratocaster from the Adair Music Company in Lubbock, Texas. His guitar teacher, Clyde Hankins, let him play one, and young Holly was quite impressed.
Buddy Holly's 1952 Les Paul |
So much so that he traded in his 1952 Gibson gold top Les Paul that he had owned for only 3 months. He even called it a “Strato-something”.
Buddy Holly with his Stratocaster |
The Stratocaster the Holly was playing during the 1959 Winter Dance Party Tour was a 1958 Fender Stratocaster.
John Page holds Holly's restored 1958 Stratocaster |
This Stratocaster is now owned by The Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock Texas where it is on display. Holly owned a total of four Stratocasters. Two of them were stolen.
Holly's 1942 Gibson J-45 with cover |
Holly with a Gibson SJ 200 |
Holly also owned a Gibson SJ-200, though not much is known about it
Holly's Hofner President |
Holly purchased a 1956 Hofner President while on tour in England. This acoustic guitar is also on display at The Buddy Holly Center.
Click on the links under the pictures for sources. Click on the links in the text for further information
©UniqueGuitar Publications (text only)
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