Not only was this week a celebration of a rodent predicting the weather, but it’s also the anniversary of, according to singer/songwriter Don McLean, “the day the music died.”

Ever wonder what the song “American Pie” was about? Well it’s about three rock ‘n’ roll icons: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson. Tuesday marked the 50th anniversary of their deaths.

Most of my generation probably has never heard of these musicians, but if one should ask his or her grandparents who these artists are, they will probably recall the sounds of ‘50s rock.

Let me take you back to the night of the tragedy.

After an outstanding performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, the “Winter Dance Party Tour” headliners had to make an overnight bus trip to their next destination in Moorhead, Minn.

Buddy Holly, 22, who rose to success with hit singles such as “That’ll be the Day” and “Peggy Sue,” decided to fly to avoid the icy roads.

Holly's plane had two more seats available, so Valens and the Big Bopper took them. <br/>The plane departed around 1 a.m. but soon had problems. Due to weather and mechanical problems, the plane crashed in a nearby cornfield killing all passengers and pilot Roger Peterson. The plane departed around 1 a.m. but soon had problems. Due to weather and mechanical problems, the plane crashed in a nearby cornfield killing all passengers and pilot Roger Peterson.
The plane departed around 1 a.m. but soon had problems. Due to weather and mechanical problems, the plane crashed in a nearby cornfield killing all passengers and pilot Roger Peterson.

Valens, who scored hit singles “La Bamba” and “Donna,” was just 17 years old.

The Big Bopper, who found success with “Chantilly Lace,” was 28.

It was a blow to the music industry.

During Holly’s 18-month career, Elvis Presley was drafted into the army.

This led fellow musicians to take Presley’s spot of King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Holly brought the guitar rifts that musician Chuck Berry created and mixed it with Bill Haley’s rock ‘n’ roll influence, but he made it his own.

Holly wrote and produced his own material that later would influence starving musicians such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

His music was resurrected in 1978 when Columbia Pictures released “The Buddy Holly Story,” influencing future generations of musicians.

Valens was one of the first Hispanic rock stars.

He was influenced by rockabilly performers but he wanted to add his Hispanic roots to it. <br/>In 1958, his hit "La Bamba" brought a twist to the traditional rock ‘n' roll music fans were used to. In 1958, his hit "La Bamba" brought a twist to the traditional rock ‘n' roll music fans were used to.
In 1958, his hit “La Bamba” brought a twist to the traditional rock ‘n’ roll music fans were used to.

Like Buddy Holly, Valens’ music was brought back to life with “La Bamba” from Columbia Pictures in 1987.

JP “Big Bopper” Richardson was a very popular disc jockey and became a songwriter in the mid-1950s.

He wrote country singer George Jones’ first hit, “White Lightning.”

After this success, he branched out into performing and with his loud voice and extroverted personality donned the name The Big Bopper.

After his death, his son Jay Richardson followed in his father’s footsteps and is known as “The Big Bopper Jr.”

To mark the 50th anniversary, the Surf Ballroom and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have come together to pay tribute to the fallen artists.

Singers Graham Nash and Pat DiNizio are paying tribute to Buddy Holly while Los Lobos pay tribute to Ritchie Valens.

Other musicians will perform songs from these artists and others that were there, “the day the music died.”