Our Era - Movies, Music, Radio and TV, 6th Edition

Our Era - Movies, Music, Radio & TV, 1950‟s and 1960‟s. February 3, 1959Courtesy of http://www.fiftiesweb.com/crash.htmThe Day Music DiedAllsup told Valens, I'll flip you for the remaining seat. On the toss of a coin, Valens won the seat.The plane took off a little after 1 A.M. from Clear Lake and never got far from the airport before it crashed, killing allonboard.A cold N.E wind immediately gave way to a snow which drastically reduced visibility. The ground was already blanketedin white. The pilot may have been inexperienced with the instrumentation.One wing hit the ground and the small plane corkscrewed over and over. The three young stars were thrown clear of theplane, leaving only pilot Roger Peterson inside.Over the years there has been much speculation as to whether a shot was fired inside the plane which disabled or killedthe pilot. Logic suggests that encased in a sea of white snow, with only white below, Peterson just flew the plane into theground.Deciding that the show must go on at the next stop, Moorhead, MN, they looked for local talent to fill in. Just across thestate line from Moorhead, in Fargo ND, they found a 15 year old talent named Bobby Vee.The crash that ended the lives of Holly, Valens and Richardson was the break that began the career of Vee.Tommy Allsup would one day open a club named "The Head's Up Saloon," a tribute to the coin toss that saved his life.Waylon Jennings would become a hugely popular Country singer.Dion di Mucci would enjoy a long lived solo career.Inscribed on Ritchie Valens' grave are the words, "Come On, Let's Go."