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Buddy Holly

Wx4Cy

Wx4Cy

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2007
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West Des Moines
OK, I'm a huge music fan but admittedly have really never been that big on Buddy Holly. Anyway, we were in Mason City/Clear Lake this weekend for my nephew's wedding. The reception was at the Surf Ballroom and it got me thinking about the plane crash, etc.

We talked to the kids about BH, what happened, etc. and they really wanted to go to the crash site. So this morning before we headed home we went to find it. I guess I'm a little surprised/disappointed in the lack of any real attention this receives. It took 4 people at the MC airport to even tell me where it was and that was with a map to get to it. Once you get there, there really isn't anything. Pretty much a make-shift memorial.

Doesn't the death of these people who had a huge influence on R&R deserve more than a few ribbons on a fence post?

Is there an explanation? Why the lack of attention and real sense of honoring these folks?
 
Wx4Cy said:
OK, I'm a huge music fan but admittedly have really never been that big on Buddy Holly. Anyway, we were in Mason City/Clear Lake this weekend for my nephew's wedding. The reception was at the Surf Ballroom and it got me thinking about the plane crash, etc.

We talked to the kids about BH, what happened, etc. and they really wanted to go to the crash site. So this morning before we headed home we went to find it. I guess I'm a little surprised/disappointed in the lack of any real attention this receives. It took 4 people at the MC airport to even tell me where it was and that was with a map to get to it. Once you get there, there really isn't anything. Pretty much a make-shift memorial.

Doesn't the death of these people who had a huge influence on R&R deserve more than a few ribbons on a fence post?

Is there an explanation? Why the lack of attention and real sense of honoring these folks?
Click to expand...

"Huge influence?" Not so sure about that. Their early death has had as big of an effect on their legacies as their music has.

I guess I don't know what you were expecting, or who would pay for a proper tribute. It's a remote area on private property, isn't it?
 
Mr Janny said:
"Huge influence?" Not so sure about that. Their early death has had as big of an effect on their legacies as their music has.

I guess I don't know what you were expecting, or who would pay for a proper tribute. It's a remote area on private property, isn't it?
Click to expand...
Not calling you out or diminishing the fact that his early demise had a profound effect on his legacy, but in my own selfish opinion he, Elvis, and Johnny Cash paved the way for R & R.
 
Well, field of dreams is private property in the middle of a remote location and look what that turned into...

Don't know what I expected but maybe something more than a dirt spot.
 
I think Holly was a major influence in early Rock and Roll. Who knows where Richie Valens could have ended up - he already had two hits and was only 17 or 18.

Also, I look just like Buddy Holly. Ooowheooo.
 
If it weren't for Buddy Holly, there wouldn't have been a Beatles, or countless other British invasion bands, imo.
 
weeterkane said:
If it weren't for Buddy Holly, there wouldn't have been a Beatles, or countless other British invasion bands, imo.
Click to expand...

Every band that tours through Lubbock plays one Buddy Holly song and many stop by his gravesite. His influence is probably bigger amongst musicians then we music fans know.
 
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Mr Janny said:
"Huge influence?" Not so sure about that. Their early death has had as big of an effect on their legacies as their music has.

I guess I don't know what you were expecting, or who would pay for a proper tribute. It's a remote area on private property, isn't it?
Click to expand...

Actually, Huge Influence is spot on.

I recommend doing some research. Read some quotes about his influence from some 2nd generation rockers. Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Graham Nash, etc.

There's a great book about the Winter Dance Party Tour written by a guy from Des Moines. Full of Minutia (love the details!). Covers history of BBopper, RValens, and Buddy. I recommend it to anyone interested in some R&R/Iowa flavored history. I think it is called The Day the Music Died. I found my copy easily on Amazon.
 
I noticed when I drove through Clear Lake for work that they also have a street named after Buddy Holly. IMO that is a pretty big dedication.
 
phipsiclones said:
I noticed when I drove through Clear Lake for work that they also have a street named after Buddy Holly. IMO that is a pretty big dedication.
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Agreed..plus the Surf Ballroom wouldnt still be there if it didnt have the Buddy Holly tie-in.
Neat little place but we all know its claim to fame.
 
We got to check out the room off-stage. Reportedly every band/singer who has ever played there has autographed that room. There are more autographs than you could count and they cover the walls, the ceiling, the sink, etc. Got a little chill when I saw the passage that Don Mclean wrote.
 
Buddy Holly had a big influence on rock and roll. Who knows how big of an impact Richie Valens could have had on the hispanic rock and roll scene...I'll stop watch La Bamba whenever it is on TV, solid movie
 
Yeah, I definitely wouldn't play down Buddy Holly's influence on rock and roll. Most of us today only know a few songs, but his influence was very large.

The Stones were big Buddy Holly fans, too.
 
phipsiclones said:
I noticed when I drove through Clear Lake for work that they also have a street named after Buddy Holly. IMO that is a pretty big dedication.
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I really thought there was a street named after Holly in Mason City as well, but I can't find it on the map.

It took me a long time to realize that Don McLean's song "American Pie" was about the death of Holly and Co.

But february made me shiver
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The crash occurred on Feb. 3, 1959.

Eight miles high and falling fast.
It landed foul on the grass.
Click to expand...

We all got up to dance,
Oh, but we never got the chance!
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Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage.
No angel born in hell
Could break that satan’s spell.
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite,
I saw satan laughing with delight
The day the music died
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[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAsV5-Hv-7U]YouTube - ‪Don McLean- American Pie (with Lyrics)‬‏[/ame]
 
Im a hugggeeee BH fan and I am amazed sometimes w/ his music. 1st off, he only recorded for a few years and has a crazy amount of songs, like over 100. Some of his stuff youd swear was recorded in the mid 70's it was so far ahead of his time. Ive gone to see the broadway play about his life and it was amazing and even the one that plays at the DSM playhouse was pretty decent.

Another interesting fact is that Waylon Jennings played w/ Holly. A lot of Waylons early songs were buddy holly songs that werent recorded or werent singles ect.

My favorite quote about holly is from John Lennon "w/out Buddy Holly there would be no rock and roll, there would be no Beatles" or something like that.
 
bringmagicback said:
Im a hugggeeee BH fan and I am amazed sometimes w/ his music. 1st off, he only recorded for a few years and has a crazy amount of songs, like over 100. Some of his stuff youd swear was recorded in the mid 70's it was so far ahead of his time. Ive gone to see the broadway play about his life and it was amazing and even the one that plays at the DSM playhouse was pretty decent.

Another interesting fact is that Waylon Jennings played w/ Holly. A lot of Waylons early songs were buddy holly songs that werent recorded or werent singles ect.

My favorite quote about holly is from John Lennon "w/out Buddy Holly there would be no rock and roll, there would be no Beatles" or something like that.
Click to expand...


I believe Waylon lost a bet, or drew the short straw or something, losing a seat on the plane that crashed. He and some others had to drive to the next location. It would be pretty crazy to live with that "what could have been" your whole life.

Edit (from Wikipedia): During the early morning hours of February 3, 1959, the charter aircraft that carried Holly, Valens, and Richardson crashed outside Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all aboard. In his 1996 a****iography, Jennings admitted that, in the years afterward, he felt severe guilt and responsibility for the crash. After Jennings had given up his seat, Holly jokingly told Jennings, "I hope your ol' bus freezes up!" Jennings shot back facetiously, "Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes!" It was a statement that would haunt Jennings for decadesDuring the early morning hours of February 3, 1959, the charter aircraft that carried Holly, Valens, and Richardson crashed outside Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all aboard. In his 1996 a****iography, Jennings admitted that, in the years afterward, he felt severe guilt and responsibility for the crash. After Jennings had given up his seat, Holly jokingly told Jennings, "I hope your ol' bus freezes up!" Jennings shot back facetiously, "Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes!" It was a statement that would haunt Jennings for decades
 
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I first learned to fly at the Mason City/Clear Lake airport with the same FBO that rented this aircraft, Dwyer aircraft. They said they still had the wreckage in the hanger, that was 20 years ago though. This young pilot, 21, should have never flown that night. Just like JFK Jr., he chose to fly at night in marginal conditions without the proper IFR training. My grandfather knows his family and had met him. He gave into the pressure to go when it is obvious he had concerns about the flight. Here is interesting link on the accident. It was a tragedy for all involved.


http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2293105#post2293105
 
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