The Day The Music Died

To harmonize with the song of the day, I feel it's appropriate to write a little personal discussion about it. After all, it is among my top 100 favorite songs (Courtney, Abi I think we found ourselves a new list!!) and it's a classic that has never been publicly slaughtered, even in light of Madonna's little remodel of it, which I happen to enjoy.

Now as a romantic I pledge that this song was discussing the end of the beginning of the musical revolution. If that makes sense. Some have tried to find another meaning to the song, such as this fellow who facetiously(I hope) refers to the song as a baby boomer's guide to the history of the Personal Computer. He did an excellent job wielding his theory to fit the words of the song. But mostly he just made me laugh.

It is what it was meant to be: a tribute to the musical contributions of such pioneers as Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, and so many other fantastic "forefathers" (or FRO-fathers ;) ). And it's meant to serve as a history of the music of the late 50's and 60's. A time that seems to be the trunk that holds the branches to so many genres we love or loathe today.

This interpretation of American Pie is a little closer to believable and useful if you should find yourself in need of Cliffs Notes to the 1950's-60's Musical Era .

February 3rd, 1959 officially became known as "The Day The Music Died" when Buddy Holly perished in a plane crash with the Big Bopper and Richie Valens-popular artists of the time. The loss of three famous musicians was nothing when you consider that Buddy Holly left behind a pregnant wife who ended up losing the baby and that Richie Valens died at the age of 17.

But since then, there have been many "Days the Music Died" depending on what styles and what musicians influence you. The day could've been March 7th, 1997 when the Notorious B.I.G. was murdered (as shocking as that may seem). The day the music died, may have been December 8th, 1980 when John Lennon was shot.

Whatever the case, whatever the date, music and musicians have obviously become more personal to everyone. The founding and/or the loss of either is elation or adversity to those who become absorbed in them. It's simple to understand when we consider the emotion that any music can arouse in us...and when we understand that most today don't have a balanced view of it. Music is not all there is to life. It's a means to supplement our happiness and joy.

"A long, long time ago... I can still remember how That music used to make me smile.And I knew if I had my chance,That I could make those people dance,And maybe they'd be happy for a while."

The operative phrase being " happy for a while".