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The Stars Still Shine

Happy Friday All,


Okay, before I get to today's subject, let me just say up front, it's bittersweet. But, it's something that's on my mind, so I figured I'd go ahead and chat about it with y'all today.

Lately I’ve been on a 1950’s music kick; specifically listening to the music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. I was watching documentaries about these 3 stars when I realized something…

The anniversary of the plane crash is this Sunday. 54 years ago on  February 3, 1959, three of the biggest stars in Rock n’ Roll history died.

Buddy Holly was a 22 year old from Lubbock, Texas. He’d been a star for a little over a year. He decided (for whatever reason...documentaries say one thing, and this website says something else, however this article as well as this other article both back up the claim that they didn't have much money; so I don't know what's fact or fiction) to go on The Winter Dance Party tour.

Ritchie Valens was barely out of high school as a 17 year old kid from the San Fernando Valley. He had several hits in just 8 months. He went on the Winter Dance Party to promote his music.

J.P. Richardson, aka The Big Bopper, was a 28 year old disc jockey from Beaumont, Texas. He he had wife, a five year old daughter, and his wife was six months pregnant with his son. It was a big opportunity for him, so he joined the Winter Dance Party.

In the early morning hours of February 3, 1959, they took off from a small airport in Clear Lake, Iowa. They weren't in the air very long before their plane crashed in a nearby cornfield.

Yet, their music lives on.

And, what is it about their music that excites us? Sparks the imagination? Makes us feel?

In some ways, it's the snappy beats, such as Bopper's Chantilly Lace, or Ritchie Valens's La Bamba. Or it can make us fall in love, like Buddy Holly's True Love Ways. Sometimes it's just plain fun. Whatever the reasons, their music, and music in general, can touch us...inspire us, make us dance, cry, laugh, set a romantic mood, or just make us feel content.

These 3 rockers inspired many, many musicians, and continue to do so.

They've been immortalized in books and movies, and even music. Back in the 1970's, Don McLean wrote the song, American Pie (a song I happen to like, by the way).

So on and off I like to sit and listen to their music. They've inspired me, made me laugh, made me feel, and sometimes, it's just pure fun.

So...you tell me...

Has their music, or any music for that matter, inspired you? If so, how and who inspires you?

Have A Fabulous Friday!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I grew up listening to all their music!!! Just love it!
Bethany said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bethany said…
Tess,

Good and fun music! It definitely rocks (hee hee both in genre and in general). Thank you for dropping by and for your comment. :-)
Anonymous said…
Great post, Bethany. All three musicians were taken way too early from this world. Sadly, that is likely one reason their music still lives on and inspires so many. Such tragedies immortalize.

Jenn!
Susan M said…
Buddy Holly was a true musical pioneer. His influence is still felt in rock music. All three were just starting out and would have had much to offer music lovers.

Their music will live on.
Bethany said…
Jenn,

That's true. But I also think the fact that Buddy had such vision when it came to his music has something to do with how he inspires, as well. Bopper was such a presence on stage from what I understand, and Ritchie (from what I've heard) knew how to put on a good show when he performed. So I think it's a mixture of talent, mystique, and curiousity.

Thank you for dropping by and commenting. :-)
Bethany said…
Susan M.,

I totally agree! Great stuff. I didn't cover this musician, but I've also done some research on Eddie Cochran, who was deeply affected by the plane crash (he knew Buddy, by the way).

As others have said, "As long as their music is played, they live on."

Thank you for dropping by and commenting. :-)
Tonette Joyce said…
I had an older sister and grew up listening to all kinds of rock. This was a tragedy, but their songs and influence live on.
Judythe Morgan said…
Lovely tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. I still love hearing their music and keep my Sirrus XM on the oldies stations so I can.
Bethany said…
Tonette,

Definitely the music lives on.

Thank you for dropping by and commenting. :-)
Bethany said…
Judythe,

Too true! Go ahead and "RAVE ON"!

Thank you for dropping by and commenting. :-)

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