50 years ago today
It's hard to believe, isn't it? Even after half a century, it's still tough to think about it, so badly did it suck. Needless to say, I'm a pretty big fan. It's hard to overestimate the impact Buddy Holly had on our culture in such a very short amount of time.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about. It's one of my favorite Buddy Holly references ever -- a great little song by Mac Davis called Texas in my Rearview Mirror. One thing I'll be doing to commemorate the occasion is reading the book Buddy Holly is Alive and Well on Ganymede (would that it were so, huh?)
And of course I'll be listening to Buddy himself. Man, just listen to this and try to imagine what it must have been like back in 1958, hearing it for the first time.
Here's to Buddy.
Comments
They talked about him today on The Takeaway. It really is amazing how much of an impact he had.
Posted by: K | February 3, 2009 08:33 AM
I don't know. I think we get a little too obsessed with those who die young like James Dean. We imagine the greatness continued, instead of our watching his star fade as he grows older. Many artists achieve their greatest impact when they first burst onto the scene. It isn't Buddy Holly's fault that he died young, but I prefer to admire instead those that give us a lifetime of work (with all the ups and downs that come with it).
Posted by: PE | February 3, 2009 01:45 PM
Rave On....awesome tune!
My neighbor from The Smithereens band played last night at a commemmorative event in the Iowa city where the crash occurred--dueted with Graham Nash on a Buddy Holly song.
Posted by: fred | February 4, 2009 01:51 PM
I remember that day well, Barry, even though I was only 11.
I was stunned that three talents had just been... snuffed out. I had just seen J.P. Richardson, The Big Bopper, on Ted Steele's show on Channel 13 in December. He was a big dude!
Plus Valen's "Donna" became Number 1 on WINS at that time and stayed there for some time. I was somewhat confused that a dead man's song was at the top of the list. I guess it was a way of keeping him alive somehow that was beyond my 11 y/o's understanding of grief.
Thanks for "Rave On"! It has always been one of my faves!
Posted by: mal | February 4, 2009 11:40 PM