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Ritchie Valens’ Sister Reflects On Loss 66 Years Since ‘The Day The Music Died’
February 3rd always brings a wave of sadness to the music industry, and it is known as “The Day the Music Died.” It marks the day of the tragic loss of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson. They all died in a devastating plane crash in 1959, with their pilot, Roger Peterson, also losing his life.
Their sudden deaths left a deep scar on fans, other musicians, and their loved ones — particularly Ritchie’s sister, Connie Valens, who was only 8 years old back then.
Don McLean sang about ‘The Day the Music Died’
Don McLean, 1971/Everett
Connie is ever grateful to Don McLean for immortalizing her brother and his friends through music. Don was just 14 years old and working as a paperboy when he read about the crash. The loss hit him hard, as it was not the only loss he dealt with that year. He would watch his father pass away about two months later, dampening his heart even further.
The 1960s brought social and political turmoil, and Don felt the weight of it all, so he wrote “American Pie.” He poured those emotions into the song, in which he wrote about the loss of the trip — Buddy, Valens, and Richardson. He also highlighted the shift in the music scene and the state of the country.
The day the music died / Spotify
Connie Valens appreciates Don McLean for creating “American Pie”
Hearing “American Pie” for the first time felt surreal to Connie, and she claimed to have played it over and over. It took her a while to process the fact that Don had written about her brother and his industry friends. Listening was bittersweet, but it helped her see that their music would never fade.
Connie Valens/Instagram
Moved by loss at a young age, it was not until Connie turned 30 that she could listen to their music or view their photos. She lived in denial of her brother’s passing for that long, insisting that he was lost and had amnesia, hence why he had not returned home.
Next up: Jack Nicholson’s Daughter On How Lara Flynn Boyle Strengthened Their Relationship
The post Ritchie Valens’ Sister Reflects On Loss 66 Years Since ‘The Day The Music Died’ appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Peace A
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