The Day the Music Died facts for kids
On February 3, 1959, three famous American rock and roll musicians died in a plane crash. These musicians were Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson. Their pilot, Roger Peterson, also died. The accident happened near Clear Lake, Iowa.
Later, this sad event became known as "The Day the Music Died". This name came from the singer-songwriter Don McLean. He used the phrase in his popular 1971 song, "American Pie".
The Plane Crash
The night before the crash, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper had played a concert. It was part of their "Winter Dance Party Tour," which had 24 cities. They were traveling by tour bus, but the heating system broke down.
Because of the cold, the musicians decided to fly to their next show. They were heading to Moorhead, Minnesota. They boarded a small plane called a Beechcraft Bonanza 35.
Around 1:00 a.m., the pilot, Roger Peterson, lost control of the plane. It crashed into a cornfield. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper died instantly when the plane hit the ground.
Images for kids
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A V-tailed Bonanza similar to the plane that crashed
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Monument in front of the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa
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Memorial at the crash site, 2003
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See also
In Spanish: El día que murió la música para niños
