Day the Music Died

English The + Alternative forms en day the music died Etymology Coined in 1971 by singer-songwriter Don McLean, in his song "American Pie (song) American Pie". Proper noun Day the Music Died 1 en historical February 3rd, 1959, the day when American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson. en by extension Any other day perceived in an extremely sad light, especially one in which a musician or musicians died, or in which negative consequences to the music industry were otherwise caused. en Frank Sinatra's death marked the Day the Music Died. en Historical events Music