danajohnhill.org | Hard Times Come Again No More

Fifty years ago today, a small plane crashed in Iowa killing Buddy Holly.

The death of such a talented figure so prematurely only inspires conjecture.  What might rock music be like today had Buddy Holly lived as long as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, or even Elvis or Roy Orbison?  I have no doubt that he would have continued to be relevant.  If you know even a few Buddy Holly songs you know how versatile he was.  “Rave On” and “It’s So Easy” are straight up rockers, but “Everyday” and “True Love Ways” are sensitive love songs.  When I was ten years old, I could not think of a better song than “Words of Love”.

Most of the events surrounding the crash are well known, but until a year or so ago I didn’t know that Dion had been offered a seat on the plane.  Only his share of the charter price made him take the frozen tour bus instead.  His parents’ rent had been $30, and he just couldn’t justify spending so much money for a short plane ride.

I wish Buddy Holly’s parents’ rent had been $30.

Filed under: Musings, Popular Music on February 3rd, 2009