Known as “rey de los tambores,” or King of the Drums, Tata Guines was an Afro-Cuban conga drum master. Born in Cuba, he came to the United States in the 1950s and worked with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatraand Josephine Baker. He moved back to Cuba after the revolution mostly due to his dislike of the segregation he encountered in the US. Guines died of a kidney infection in Havana.
Buddy Holly (Born Charles Holley)
September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959
Buddy Holly was a gifted singer-songwriter who, even though his career lasted just a year and a half, was arguably the most important figure in the birth of rock ‘n roll. Holly was more of a traditional country artist before being inspired by Elvis Presley and Bill Haley to add elements of rockabilly into his music in 1955. The following year, he was signed by Decca Records and formed his back-up band, the Crickets. Over the next eighteen months, Holly released one hit single after another. They included “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” and “Oh Boy.” These songs became a direct influence on the likes of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones. Just as Holly’s career was beginning to take off, tragedy struck. February 3, 1959…it’s been called “the day the music died.” While on a U.S. mid west tour called the Winter Dance Party, Holly, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and Ritchie Valens were on a small Beechcraft airplane en route from Mason City, IA to Moorhead, MN. The winter weather was taking its toll on the traveling musicians. Waylon Jennings had originally been slated to fly ahead, but gave up his seat to Richardson at the last minute. Shortly after take off, the plane carrying rock ‘n roll’s brightest new stars crashed into an empty field killing everyone on board. Initial reports blamed pilot error on Roger Peterson, but future examinations vindicated him, putting the blame squarely on the bad weather conditions. Buddy Holly was 22 at the time of his death.
Ritchie Valens (Born Richard Valenzuela)
May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959
L-R: The Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly
Ritchie Valens was one of the founding fathers of rock ‘n roll as well as a pioneer of Chicano rock. Born in Los Angeles, Valens was raised by parents who embraced the modern America where they now lived, but also kept one foot firmly planted in their Mexican roots. From an early age, Valens was exposed to Mexican folk music, but also absorbed the sounds of R&B and jump blues he heard on the radio. After his one and only audition while just 16 years old, Valens was signed to Bob Keane’s Del-Fi Records in May of 1958. In just a matter of months, Valens released hits like “Donna,” “Come On, Let’s Go,” and of course, “La Bamba,” which quickly became his signature song. He would later become an inspiration for the likes of Los Lobos, Carlos Santana and Los Lonely Boys. But less than a year after he signed his first recording contract, he died in one of pop music’s most famous tragedies. February 3, 1959…a date that has been called “the day the music died.” While on a U.S. mid west tour called the Winter Dance Party, Valens, Buddy Holly, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson were on a small Beechcraft airplane en route from Mason City, IA to Moorhead, MN. The winter weather was taking its toll on the traveling musicians. Waylon Jennings had originally been slated to fly ahead, but gave up his seat to Richardson at the last-minute. Shortly after take off, the plane carrying rock ‘n roll’s brightest new stars crashed into an empty field killing everyone on board. Initial reports blamed pilot error on Roger Peterson, but future examinations vindicated him, putting the blame squarely on the bad weather conditions. Ritchie Valens was just 17 at the time of his death.
J.P. Richardson
October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959
J.P. Richardson, or as he was more commonly known, TheBig Bopper was an early rock ‘n roll disc jockey turned pop star thanks to his big hit, “Chantilly Lace.” He was also a successful songwriter who wrote “White Lightning” which became a hit by George Jones, and “Running Bear”, a hit by Johnny Preston. Richardson began his career on radio during the late ’40s. His first big claim to fame came in May of 1957 when he set the continuous on-air record by broadcasting non-stop for five days, two hours and eight minutes. During that time he played over 1800 records. In 1959, he reportedly coined the phrase “music video” when he made one of himself. But shortly thereafter, tragedy struck. On February 3, 1959 – the date that has been called “the day the music died,” Richardson was killed in one of pop music’s most tragic events. While on a U.S. mid west tour called the Winter Dance Party, Richardson, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens were on a small Beechcraft airplane en route from Mason City, IA to Moorhead, MN. The winter weather was taking its toll on the traveling musicians. Waylon Jennings had originally been slated to fly ahead, but gave up his seat to Richardson at the last minute. Shortly after take off, the plane carrying rock ‘n roll’s brightest new stars crashed into an empty field killing everyone on board. Initial reports blamed pilot error on Roger Peterson, but future examinations vindicated him, putting the blame squarely on the bad weather conditions. The elder statesman of the group, The Big Bopper died at the age of 28.
Roger Peterson was a young pilot who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when the small aircraft he was piloting during a cold wintry morning in 1959 crashed, killing three of pop music’s biggest stars in a tragedy that has been called “the day the music died.” On board the Beachcraft plane on that tragic day were Buddy Holly, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and Ritchie Valens – all, including Peterson, were killed when the plane crashed into an Iowa cornfield. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Peterson was the target of blame by family and fans of the performers, but he would later be vindicated. One theory is that the plane was equipped with an unusual gyroscope that read upside down from what most pilots were accustomed to. Peterson may have thought he was gaining altitude when he was actually descending. Another theory is that he was not informed of the treacherous weather conditions as he should have. Either way, Roger Peterson, a well-trained and experienced pilot went down with his plane at the age of 21.
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Known as “rey de los tambores,” or King of the Drums, Tata Guines was an Afro-Cuban conga drum master. Born in Cuba, he came to the United States in the 1950s and worked with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra and Josephine Baker. He moved back to Cuba after the revolution mostly due to his dislike of the segregation he encountered in the US. Guines died of a kidney infection in Havana.
Buddy Holly was a gifted singer-songwriter who, even though his career lasted just a year and a half, was arguably the most important figure in the birth of rock ‘n roll. Holly was more of a traditional country artist before being inspired by 
