Vintage Rock – December 2018

When the world lost iconic rock’n’rollers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper in an horrific air crash in February 1959, it shook the world to its core – and it’s an event that continues to resonate amongst music fans to this day. In our latest Vintage Rock special edition 132-page magazine, we pay tribute to Buddy and his fallen comrades for the 60th Anniversary of the ‘Day The Music Died’.

Inside this exclusive commemorative issue, we tell the story of Buddy Holly, his rapid rise to fame with his band The Crickets and that fateful final tour. We then explore the impact that such a tragic event had on music history and assess the limitless possibilities for Buddy had he continued to perform. We also survey the careers of Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, both of whom made a huge impression on rock’n’roll with their own inimitable styles and hit songs.

Exclusive interviews include intimate discussions with Buddy's widow Maria Elena Holly; Bobby Vee, who took the unenviable position as Buddy’s replacement to close out the final tour; Crickets members Jerry Allison and Sonny Curtis, who share their fond memories of Buddy – and producer Nick Patrick, whose True Love Ways project brought Buddy's music together with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Elsewhere, we investigate the wider cast of musicians involved in Buddy’s story including Dion & the Belmonts, billed on the tour, close friend and future star Waylon Jennings, who played in Buddy’s final touring band, and some of the lesser-known names who shared the stage with Buddy.

Buddy’s charisma and unique mastery of songwriting stood him out as one of the all-time greats of rock’n’roll, and the artists that surrounded him also offered some of the era’s finest music. We pay tribute to these greats of the era and remember an event that changed music forever…