LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Buddy Holly Center will offer free admission Tuesday to mark the 67th anniversary of “The Day the Music Died.”
On Feb. 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. Richardson, who went by the nickname “Big Bopper,” and pilot Robert Peterson were killed in a plane crash. The three musicians were traveling to Moorhead, Minnesota, from Iowa during a snowstorm.
The incident became known as “The Day the Music Died” 12 years later in Don McLean’s hit song “American Pie.” Buddy Holly was only 22 years old when he died.
The memory of Buddy Holly remains alive in Lubbock, with the singer-songwriter’s legacy and name cemented through buildings, statues and programs dedicated to fostering the local music and arts industry.
Buddy Holly and The Crickets in 1957 (top to bottom: Allison, Holly and Mauldin) (Source: Wikipedia)
The Buddy Holly Center will honor the anniversary of their death Tuesday with free admission for everyone from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Visitors can also tour the J.I. Allison House, the former home of Buddy Holly’s drummer in his band “The Crickets,” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Buddy Holly and the Crickets wrote on ‘That’ll Be the Day’ at the Allison house.
Activities will be available for all ages.
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