The ‘triple’ Rock ‘n’ Roll tragedy that was eventually labelled “The Day The Music Died” encompasses the passing of a trio of pioneering greats who have been the subject of many “how much greater they could have been…” conversations around the world since that fateful day of February 3rd, 1959. The three men were brought together, not only by sharing the same concert stage, but by their shared love of creating, writing and playing the upbeat and sometimes frenzied rhythms which can be found in the mix of both Rockabilly and Rock and Roll music. To lose one of them would have been heartbreaking enough, but to lose the three of them together was totally devastating for the music business as a whole. They had already become musical Legends in their own lifetimes and because of the magnitude of their influences on new and up and coming musicians at the time, the shocking event that transpired somewhere over the dark skies of Clear Lake, Iowa en route toward Moorhead, Minnesota on that cold February morning, would forever inscribe their musical legacies into the history books for all future generations to discover. These history books also take the form of all the audio output available for these three forever young men which considerably lays proof to the fact that the music didn’t actually die on that fateful day afterall!
However, through the annals of promotional and marketing history for the ‘upgraded’ legacies – repackaged and reissued in various forms – it’s very easy for several aspects of their musical contributions to become somewhat ‘muddled’ over the years, especially when one takes into consideration the amount of product available on vinyl, cassette, CD and now digital downloads. Amidst all these compilations that have been released posthumously throughout the decades it’s very easy to lose track of the original long-playing albums and overlook the context in which some of these songs first appeared. Originally released back in the late 1950’s we now salute these classic original albums with this retrospective reflection to remind ourselves in awe about the material that appeared therein and consequently whetted our appetites for further discoveries of the legendary talents…
Jiles Perry “J. P.” Richardson, Jr. aka “THE BIG BOPPER”
The guitarist and singer-songwriter responsible for George Jones’ first No.1 hit “White Lightnin'” along with Johnny Preston’s “Running Bear” and Hank Snow’s “Beggar To A King”. ‘The Big Bopper’ initially began his career as a radio disc-jockey and was later a pioneer for the rock music video. His unique and popular “Chantilly Lace” became a big rock n’ roll hit in the US during the summer of 1958 and subsequently in the UK later that year. The follow-up single “The Big Bopper’s Wedding” became his second US hit. An Extended Play (EP) record consisting of the four songs that made up his first two singles was released in the UK in 1959. The musician’s acclaimed debut album entitled “Chantilly Lace Starring The Big Bopper” was released on the Mercury Records Label in ’58 and became a Top 10 hit Stateside. In the early ’70’s it was issued on the Contour Label in the UK and featured a different cover along with a slightly different track listing.
Side 1:
Chantilly Lace / Pink Petticoats / The Clock / Walking Through My Dreams / Someone Watching Over You.
Side 2:
Big Bopper’s Wedding / Little Red Riding Hood / Preacher and The Bear / It’s The Truth Ruth / White Lightnin’.
Richard Steven Valenzuela aka RITCHIE VALENS
The Mexican-American singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist was also a pioneer for the Chicano Rock genre. His first single, “Come On, Let’s Go” was released during the summer of 1958 and became a hit in the US. His follow-up single was a Double A-sided hit which coupled the beautiful ballad, “Donna” with his riveting rock n’ roll adaptation of “La Bamba”. This was to become his biggest hit record and the final single issued before his death. A unique aspect of Valens’ live stage show was his spontaneous experimentation when performing such songs. His three original albums were all released posthumously on the Del-Fi Records Label between March 1959 and December 1960.
Side 1:
That’s My Little Suzie / In a Turkish Town / Come On, Let’s Go / Donna/ Boney-Moronie / Ooh, My Head.
Side 2:
La Bamba / Bluebirds Over The Mountain / Hi-Tone / Framed / We Belong Together / Dooby-Dooby-Wah.
Side 1:
Stay Beside Me / Cry, Cry, Cry / Big Baby Blues / The Paddi-Wack Song / My Darling Is Gone / Hurry Up.
Side 2:
Little Girl / Now You’re Gone / Fast Freight / Ritchie’s Blues / Rockin’ All Night.
“RITCHIE VALENS IN CONCERT AT PACOIMA JR. HIGH”
Side 1:
Introduction by Bob Keane / Come On, Let’s Go / Donna / Summertime Blues / From Beyond / La Bamba.
Side 2:
Introduction by Bob Keane / Rhythm Song / Guitar Instrumental / Malaguena / Rock Little Darling / Let’s Rock and Roll.
Charles Hardin Holley aka BUDDY HOLLY
The singer-songwriter and guitarist with his trademark spectacles is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential figures in the history of Rock n’ Roll music. Throughout 1955 he was an opening act for such greats as Elvis Presley and Bill Haley & His Comets during which time his music began to develop beyond its country & western roots crossing over into both Rockabilly and Rock n’ Roll. With the song “That’ll be the Day” he scored his first No.1 hit under his band’s name ‘The Crickets’ (Niki Sullivan, Jerry Allison, Joe B. Mauldin). Upon its release in May, 1957, Buddy was under contract to Decca Records’ two subsidiary labels therefore subsequent record releases under the moniker of ‘The Crickets’ continued on the Brunswick Label and releases credited to his own name were issued by the Coral Label. Furthermore, it was the Decca Label itself that continued to release the recordings Buddy had made specifically with them in 1956 – one of these included as its ‘B’ side an earlier version of “That’ll be the Day”. A string of hits followed by Buddy Holly & The Crickets especially in the UK which proved to be very successful and reinforced Buddy’s status as a prolific writer and performer of songs which instantly became classics. His three original albums were issued between November 1957 and April 1958 – one from each of the aforementioned labels.
“THE CHIRPING CRICKETS” (Brunswick)
Side 1:
Oh, Boy! / Not Fade Away / You’ve Got Love / Maybe Baby / It’s Too Late / Tell Me How.
Side 2:
That’ll be the Day / I’m Looking for Someone to Love / An Empty Cup (And a Broken Date) / Send Me Some Lovin’ / Last Night / Rock Me My Baby.
“BUDDY HOLLY” (Coral)
Side 1:
I’m Gonna Love You Too / Peggy Sue / Look At Me / Listen To Me / Valley of Tears / Ready Teddy.
Side 2:
Everyday / Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues / Words of Love / (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care / Rave On / Little Baby.
“THAT’LL BE THE DAY” (Decca)
Side 1:
You Are My One Desire / Blue Days, Black Nights / Modern Don Juan / Rock Around With Ollie Vee / Ting A Ling / Girl On My Mind.
Side 2:
That’ll Be The Day / Love Me / I’m Changing All Those Changes / Don’t Come Back Knockin’ / Midnight Shift.
♫ COSMIC DWELLINGS ♫ 