This Day in Music
On this day in music, February 3, 1959, tragedy struck when Buddy Holly (aged 22), The Big Bopper (aged 28), and Ritchie Valens (aged 17) all lost their lives in a plane crash on their way to the next date of their Winter Party Dance Tour. After experiencing heating problems on his tour bus, Holly hired a private plane to take the three men from Clear Lake, Iowa, to Moorhead, Minnesota. The event, which also took the life of pilot Roger Peterson, later became known as “The Day the Music Died,” after Don McLean’s reference to the tragedy in his 1971 song, “American Pie.” Clear Lake’s Surf Ballroom, where the musicians each played their final concerts, hosts an annual memorial show.
In 1973, Elton John scored his first No.1 hit in the US with “Crocodile Rock.” Written in France, the whimsical track was inspired by another hit single, “Eagle Rock,” by Australian band Daddy Cool.
In 1979, Blondie earned their first of five UK No.1 hits with “Heart Of Glass.” Written in 1975 by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein, the song was originally much slower and titled “Once I Had a Love.” The band revisited the track for album Parallel Lines, and took the advice of producer Mike Chapman, who suggested that they put a disco twist on it. In 2015, the enduring hit was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In 1992, Pearl Jam made their live UK debut with a 13-song set at London’s Esplanade Club. The show, in support of their debut album, Ten, also kicked off their first European tour, and included stops in Norway, Sweden, Holland, France, Spain, and Italy.
In 2008, Adele topped the UK album chart with her debut, 19. The British artist, who was just 17 when she signed her first record deal and 19 when she recorded the LP, found instant success with the release. Singles “Hometown Glory” and “Make You Feel My Love” both landed in the UK Top Ten, while the former song became Adele’s first entry on the
Billboard Hot 100 and later earned a Grammy Award. 19 has since sold more than eight million copies worldwide.
BORN ON FEBRUARY 3
1928: Frankie Vaughan
1947: Dave Davies (The Kinks)
1949: Arthur Kane (New York Dolls)
1956: Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)
1977: Daddy Yankee
1990: Sean Kingston
