Published writer, compulsive reader, Old School Whovian, Match Game enthusiast, NKOTB fan, data hoarder, and - surprisingly, given that list - married with four kids.
Welcome to my take on life, fatherhood, entertainment, and whatever strikes my fancy.
Enjoy!
64 years ago, in a lonely cornfield in Iowa, the future of Rock 'N Roll left this Earth.
Imagine striking down Lennon and McCarthy after Rubber Soul, with their greatest work, their greatest influence, left to come. It would have been the only comparable tragedy.
Jerry Allison, good friend of Buddy Holly and drummer of The Crickets, died today at the age of 82.
I saw The Crickets perform at the 1995 Wisconsin State Fair, although I don't remember the lineup of the band on that tour. I wish I'd thought to stick around for some autographs.
[John Mueller's] Winter dance party tour [a celebration of the life and music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper] ...Dad and daughter date night ..looking good! Thanks Mom for some quick alterations and YaYa for the dress loan!
63 years ago today, at roughly 12:55 AM CST, the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, crashed in a cornfield in Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all 3 men and the pilot. What could have been . . .RIP.
As far as I can determine, that's a picture of Buddy Holly getting off the tour bus in Clear Lake, Iowa on the afternoon of Feb 2, 1959. The heat on the bus was broken, and in frustration Buddy hired a local pilot to transport him to the next gig just after midnight. 60 years ago today, on a cold dark Iowa night, that plane crashed and forever changed music history. Buddy would be 82 now, still a viable age, and so the loss still resonates deeply with me. Other greats are touring well into their 70's; Buddy should be among their number. RIP Buddy, Ritchie, JP, and Roger (the pilot.) You will never be forgotten. #NotFadeAway
Today marks 58 years since the incomparable Buddy Holly died in a frozen Iowa field, changing the course of rock history. RIP Buddy. You're still missed.
Today marks 58 years since the incomparable Buddy Holly died in a frozen Iowa field, changing the course of rock history. RIP Buddy. You're still missed.
Buddy Holly would have been 79 years old today. That's what makes Feb 3rd a true tragedy - that all this time later, he could have still been alive and making music. I have no hate for that pilot, but he robbed us all.
Raise your glass to the memory of JP "Big Bopper" Richardson, Roger Peterson, Ritchie Valens, and the *great* Buddy Holly, all gone 55 years today. RIP
I hate to do three video posts in a row, but I cannot, in good conscience, fail to mark the anniversary of Buddy Holly's death. RIP Buddy. This world has been a crappier place without you these last 51 years.
In 1958 Buddy did a very short interview with Alan Freed. Freed was a huge name in rock at the time, a DJ who did more to promote the music than just about anyone else. His fame was cut short when he was implicated in the payola scandals of the late '50's (DJ's were accepting bribes to play a record and act as if it was aired as part of a normal rotation. This would make the record appear more popular then it was, building a false momentum on the charts which in theory fed real interest. They can legally accept money for such acts, but it must be disclosed to the public )
Dick Clark was nearly undone by Payola too, but survived by selling his stake in a record company and 'co-operating' with the authorites.
Freed and Holly appear to be on very friendly terms and discuss some misadventures they've had while flying to gigs and joke about the dangers involved. In retrospect it seems an eerie foretelling, but let's get real; you and I could joke today about the dangers of driving on the highway, but if you (not me Mister) die on I-70 tomorrow we were no more psychic than you were lucky.