The Day the Music Died Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/The-Day-the-Music-Died Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/The-Day-the-Music-Died Written by Will McDonald Will McDonald is a New York City-based writer and performer. Will McDonald Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Jul 19, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents The Day the Music Died, February 3, 1959, when an airplane crash resulted in the deaths of American musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), as well as pilot Roger Peterson. The plane crashed in a cornfield outside Clear Lake, Iowa. The tragedy was memorialized in the lyrics of the song “American Pie” (1971), written by Don McLean. Holly, Valens, and the Big Bopper were in the middle of a tour known as the Winter Dance Party, wherein the group was scheduled to play 24 shows in 24 days across the U.S. Midwest; the tour began ...(100 of 484 words)

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