American Pie

Today is the 50th anniversary of the untimely deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. They died in a plane crash, after appearing in a rock and roll show in Iowa. Even though I was alive at this time, I don't remember this event. I was just a little too young to appreciate how this event changed music at the time. I know, looking back on it, that these people died too young. Buddy Holly was a musical genius. He did a lot of things that no one had tried before. It could be argued that he was the father of other bands like The Beatles. It is funny how people influence other artists by their deaths. I suppose the first musicians to die that really impressed me were Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. They all died within a year of each other, and I was really becoming aware of music. But, the music died for me when John Lennon was killed. Every generation has their own awful event like that. For some, it was Kurt Cobain. For others, it was Marvin Gaye. For still others, it was Rick Nelson. For still others, it was Andy Gibb. And, don't forget Elvis. The list goes on and on. I am sure that radio stations will play "American Pie" by Don MacLean today. It is a good song. Remember when they tried to ban it when it first came out? No? Read the history books. We have come a long way since 1971. But, I digress. Our lives revolve around pop culture. That's why I collect it. Events like this day 50 years ago are part of our history. They catapult others to succeed. That is what life is about. Don't let us forget.