Sixty-six years ago today, February 3, 1959, 22-year-old Buddy Holly, 17-year-old Ritchie Valens, 28-year-old J.P. Richardson aka “The Big Bopper,” and 21-year-old pilot Roger Peterson were killed in a plane crash just north of Clear Lake, Iowa. By 1971, the tragedy became known as “The Day The Music Died,” thanks to Don McLean’s hit song. If you are unfamiliar with the story of the plane crash and aftermath, you can read about it here.
Behind the Buddy Holly glasses, a quarter mile worn path through a cornfield—paved by thousands of fans, mourners, and visitors annually—leads directly to the crash/memorial site.
It took us about nine minutes to walk the path through the privately-owned cornfield to the modest memorial, and we passed three people on their way back. It’s an easy, but slightly uneven, walk. This video of our walk was sped up to one minute and can be watched right here, no TikTok required.
According to Iowa Road Trip, the memorial is at the actual crash site. When taking photos of the memorial, “you are standing on the ground where Buddy Holly was thrown from the plane.”
The stainless steel guitar and records were made by Ken Paquette and placed in 1988, but the ones here today are replicas. The original records were stolen in 2011, but the guitar was cemented in and too difficult for the vandals to remove. It was auctioned in 2004 for over $3,000, and until at least 2012, it was displayed in a memorabilia case in Elly’s Lake Front Tap.
Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue,” The Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace,” and Ritchie Valens’ “Donna” are the three records, representing a big Billboard hit from each man.
The memorial for pilot Roger Peterson wasn’t added until 2009. It was also made by Ken Paquette. Roger is buried nearby in Storm Lake, Iowa.
The Don McLean Parking Area at the memorial entrance offers free parking for visitors. It’s beautifully maintained and even has a port-a-potty, a luxury in the middle of a cornfield.
Visitors can leave a donation (or send a digital donation) and receive a free gift – a 3D printed magnet or keychain guitar with the year of your visit on it. When I reached out to let them know they were in low supply, I was told they give away hundreds of them a year.
Additional Resources
The Day The Music Died, Wikipedia
How to Visit the Buddy Holly Crash Site, Clear Lake, Iowa
Buddy Holly Crash Site, Iowa Road Trip
Buddy Holly Crash Site, Roadside America
The Buddy Holly Crash Site, Julia A. Keirns
Don McLean American Pie Parking
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