Jiles Perry "J. P." Richardson, Jr. (October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959)

Ritchie Valens (Richard Steven Valenzuela) (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959)

La Bamba is the B-side of “Donna”

The plane flew two minutes before crashing into a cornfield eight miles 
from the Surf Ballroom.

From left: Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly performing at a venue during
the mid west tour called The Winter Dance party.

Fender Museum of Music and The Arts director John Page holds the 1958
Fender Sratocaster Buddy Holly played less than an hour before his death.

A memorial located at the crash site of Buddy Holley’s plane near Clear
Lake, Iowa

Recorded October 21, 1958

Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971, the title
song was a number one hit for four weeks in 1972 and is McLean’s
signature song.

Don McLean turned 66 in October

Sheldon "Shelley" Berman has authored three books, two plays, several TV pilot
scripts, and numerous poems. For over twenty years, Berman taught humor writing
in the Master of Professional Writing program at University of Southern California,
where he is now a Lecturer Emeritus. He continues to do film and television work,
and make personal appearances across the country year-round.