The same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly also took the lives of Richie Valens ('La Bamba') and The Big Bopper ('Chantilly Lace'). Holly's recent bride was pregnant when the crash took place she had a miscarriage shortly afterward.īut something touched me deep inside, The day the music died. I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride McLean recalls his desire to become a musician playing that sort of music.īuddy Holly died on Februin a plane crash in Iowa during a snowstorm.ĭon McLean's only job before becoming a full-time singer-songwriter was being a paperboy.īad news on the doorstep. One of early rock and roll's functions was to provide dance music for various social events. And I knew if I had my chance, That I could make those people dance, And maybe they'd be happy for a while.
I can still remember how That music used to make me smile. in 1972 the album containing it was released in 1971. Singer/songwriter Don McLean is lamenting the lack of 'danceable' good time party music in rock and roll and (in part) attributing that lack to the absence of Buddy Holly et.
The entire song is a tribute to Buddy Holly and a commentary on how rock and roll music changed in the years since his death.
