Today is: The Day the Music Died

"A long long time ago I can still remember how That music used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they'd be happy for a while,

But February made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver Bad news on the doorstep I couldn't take one more step,

I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride, Something touched me deep inside The day the music died"

So go the lyrics to the first verse of Don McLean's 1971 folk rock song "American Pie," which went to No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 the following year. What was this music that made him smile, when was this February day that made him shiver, and what did he mean by "the day the music died?" McLean is singing of rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson (known professionally as the Big Bopper), and Ritchie Valens, who died in a plane crash in the early hours of Feb. 3, 1959.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Today is: The Day the Music Died