The Day the Music Died . . .

jimmymac

for those of you old enough and lovers of Rock & Roll - Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens died in a plane crash 50 years ago, this Monday in Clear Lake, Iowa - the interesting numismatic tid-bit is that Walen Jennings was on tour with the group and it's said he flipped a Franklin half-dollar with Richie Valens for a seat just before the ill-fated plane took off - Jennings won and the rest is Rock & Roll history and a legend - I often wonder where that Frankie is today and how much it would be worth? - me, I would love to own it just for the story and history!!! - anyone on the board attend the Winter Dance Party tour back in 1959??

OneCent

Peggy Sue Live...You Tube

Weather11am

...And they were singing...

Michigan

Not too many people make the effort because it is out in the countryside and you have to know the backroads pretty well but you can visit the spot where it happened, there is a memorial along a fence row.

Buddy Holly's famous glasses were retrieved from the wreck site and kept by the local sherrif for many years until
sold several years ago. Don't remember what the price was but they didn't go cheap that is for sure.

Goldbully

<< <i>Peggy Sue Live...You Tube >>




Loved it, thanks....made me tear up!!!

Funny how the audience barely moved!!!!!

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WaterSport

And on another rock sad note, the keyboard player for Lynyrd Skynrd died today of a presumed heart attack.

WS

Rollerman

It's been a while since I watched the Buddy Holly Story (got it at my local library) but it seemed to me that Richie Valens was under the weather and asked Walon Jennings if he could take his seat on the plane to get home sooner.

Even so, I'm guessing if there was a coin toss, Walon lost as it was right in the middle of a winter cold spell in Northern Iowa and poor weather for a long car ride.

Anyway, however it was, thanks for posting. I read that the old ball room where they last played is now a national historical landmark.
Pete

WoodenJefferson

Since the half dollar came from Tommy Allsup's pocket and the fact that he handed Buddy Holley his wallet for identification to pick up some mail for him, I'm sure Tommy had to end up spending that very half dollar...btw, he said he flipped a half dollar, no mention of it being a Franklin, but since it was 1959 we have to assume that it was indeed just that.

Link to coin toss