Dashed left edge = started before February 1959 ·
Dashed right edge = ongoing beyond February 1959
Events in February 1959 5
1930 – 1959J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson (1930-1959)Died 3 February 1959, aged 28Richardson was a disc jockey and rock and roll singer known for the hit "Chantilly Lace." He died in a chartered plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, alongside Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, an event later remembered as "The Day the Music Died."
1936 – 1959Buddy Holly (1936-1959)Died 3 February 1959, aged 22Holly was a pioneering rock and roll singer-songwriter whose hits with The Crickets, including "That'll Be the Day" and "Peggy Sue," influenced generations of musicians. He died in a chartered plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, alongside Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. The crash became known as "The Day the Music Died."
1941 – 1959Ritchie Valens (1941-1959)Died 3 February 1959, aged 17Valens was an early rock and roll pioneer whose hit "La Bamba," adapted from a Mexican folk song, helped bring Latino music into the American mainstream. He died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, alongside Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, just months into his recording career. He was 17 years old.
1959Buddy Holly killed in a plane crashThe day the music diedKilled near Clear Lake, Iowa, with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.
1959 – presentJohn McEnroeSuperbratKnown for his artistic volleys and fiery temper; won 7 Grand Slam singles titles.