My grandfather knew Buddy Holly when he was just starting to get famous. He was also a musician and had a popular show called "The Bernie Howell Show" which aired from Lubbock, Texas. Alot of the older crowd from that area still remember that show. Buddy Holly put my grandfather down as a contact when he was trying to buy a brand new car and the salesman had never heard of him so he called my grandfather and asked him if Buddy was good for it or not. My grandfather told the salesman "You don't know who Buddy Holly is?! Don't worry...he is good for it"

Buddy Holly’s wife never visited his grave, to much sad and devastated for her, she lost also their baby for this tragic news.. when it happened .. 🥀

The BigBopper was 28 years old. Buddy Holly was 22 years old. Ritchie was only 17 years old.

For a long time afterwards, Waylon Jennings said that the words he told Buddy moments before boarding the plane haunted him SO much. "I hope your plane crashes" was said in jest, and of course it came to pass, and Waylon was never the same even decades after. May they all rest in peace (Waylon too).

The buddy holly story with Gary Busey is still one of my fav movies..seriously what could have been if they had a chance to continue to make the legendary music they were known for

R.I.P to all that died. 64 years later.

More than one person on the tour began experiencing frostbite on their toes. The buses were seriously dangerous to them as musicians because their fingers could have been damaged by frostbite. I completely understand why Buddy Holly was so desperate to get away from the buses.

Last year, July, 2022, I made a stop in Clear Lake Iowa and visited the crash site, right in the middle of a corn fields. From the memorials that are there, it is quite clear how much the music of these three impacted people. If you get the chance make the trip.

I always felt so sorry for the guy who hadn't had the bus fixed in time. Even though he wasn't to blame for the crash, I can't imagine he lived one day the rest of his life not feeling the weight of guilt for it.

⭐⭐J.P. Richardson proudly served his country just a couple years after the Korean War. Even though J.P. was drafted into the United States Army, J.P. manned up and served his country with pride and honor. J. P. graduated from the rigorous United States Army bootcamp Fort Ord in beautiful Monterey Bay, California. After Army basic training in California, J.P. was transferred to his home state of Texas and served near El Paso, Texas. While in the U.S. Army, J.P. was fortunate to have been selected to attend and graduate from the challenging and demanding Radar Technical school. While serving at Fort Bliss Army base near El Paso, Texas, J.P. served as a Radar Instructor. J.P. served as a Private E-1 and then Private First Class E2 and finally promoted to Corporal E3. While in the Army J.P. learned other valuable skills like team work, leadership, discipline, honor, courage, commitment and selfless devotion to duty. J.P. served two years in the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge. J.P Richardson was proud to have served and was proud to be a United States Army Veteran. ⭐⭐

Early the next morning as my uncle was returning home after being at the Surf Ballroom, my grandfather was grabbing his coat to leave the house in Mason City. "Where are you going dad?" Grandpa replied, "A bunch of musicians just crashed in a plane over by Clear Lake."

I went out to the surf ballroom last year in August of 2022 and while I was there I met a young lady whose in her seventies who told me she was there the night of the concert in 1959 not only that but her father owned the cornfields where the plane crashed! It Was a once in a lifetime Trip! Rest in Preace Buddy, Ritchie And The Big Bopper! Legends of Rock And Roll!

That night still haunted Waylon forever. It's crazy how he still told that story until died. They all will live forever in our appreciation for what they gave to the music world.

Dr. Bass did the autopsy following the exhumation of the Big Bopper. My wife and I were fortunate to have dinner one evening with Dr. Bass and his wife. He was quite willing to discuss his high profile cases, including this one. Dr. Bass is a kind, amicable and fascinating man.

Buddy Holly and Rich Valens had they lived would have blown up the rock-n-roll world for many years. I can only imagine what great music those 2 would have created.

The wreckage was found early the next morning by the man who owned the property the plane landed on. The pilot (Roger Peterson) was not instrument trained, only visually trained. He took off in a snowstorm and the plane crashed after traveling less than 5 miles. Richardson's son had his fathers body exhumed around 15 years ago to determine if his father had survived the accident and tried to walk away to seek help. You are correct that they did a full body x-ray on Richardson and showed both legs were broken and there was no possible way Richardson could have walked away.

There's a Buddy Holly CD that came out long ago called "From The Original Master Tapes". The last track is stunning with headphones. You hear Buddy clear his throat just before the song starts, a quiet ballad with strings. It's like you are right there at the microphone with him. I've never heard any other recording like that. Very touching, knowing what came next.

Thank you for doing a video on J.P. he seems to be left out alot. I can't imagine what he could have done in his career if he didn't lose his life that night. RIP to all the lives that were lost that sad night

My godmother was 17 years old and lived four blocks from the Green Bay venue. She went to the show. We were the day before the crash. It was brutally cold here that night and around the whole state while the guys went back and forth between shows. We have a dance every year the day of our show. It is held at the original location. It has been kept like it was in the 50’s.

The singers were found outside the plane and the pilot was still in the wreckage. How the Big Bopper was found in the next field is a mystery. All I can say is may Ritchie, Buddy and The Big Bopper Rest In Peace and may Roger Peterson Rest In Peace as well