Post by OldFred on Feb 8, 2009 16:22:00 GMT -5
VH1's Behind The Music series did a great special some years ago on the Day the Music Died, covering the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P.'The Big Bopper' Richardson. It featured interviews with Gary Busey, Lou Diamond Phillips, Waylon Jennings, the Big Bopper, Jr., and Ritchie Valen's sister among others. It was a very emotional special, especially from the perspective of Valen's sister. It's one of the best documentaries I've ever seen on the tragic night and does a good job of covering the careers of Holly, Valens and the Bopper.
One of the most emotional moments in the special is when Lou Diamond Phillips describes the night they filmed the scene Ritchie, Holly and J.P. were about to enter the airplane. Valen's sister Connie was at the filming of the scene and she approached Phillips and grabbed him crying, "Ritchie, why did you have to go on that plane?" Phillips hugged her to him and both wept in each others arms.
Other great moments include stories of the Bopper's son trying to find out information about his dad. One touching story is about one of the promoters recounting speaking to the Bopper and the promoter's wife who was pregnant was with him. Richardson's wife was expecting their son and J.P. asked if he could touch the promoter's wife stomach to feel the baby and said how much he missed being on the road away from his wife and would to be there when their son was born. Richardson, Jr. reflected on hearing the story and tearing up knowing that his dad loved him before he was even born.
One funny story Waylon Jennings tells of being on the road when a large, young man hopped on Jennings' tour bus, sat next to Jennings and declared, "My name is Big Bopper, Jr., and I want you to tell me about my Daddy!". Jennings looked at the young man who was a spitting image of J.P. Richardson and said, "Your Daddy was a good, old boy who could shoot craps, and how the hell did you get on this bus?".
'Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died' is a great special that is definitely worth tracking down. A very nice memorial of three greats in Rock history who were taken away too soon.
One of the most emotional moments in the special is when Lou Diamond Phillips describes the night they filmed the scene Ritchie, Holly and J.P. were about to enter the airplane. Valen's sister Connie was at the filming of the scene and she approached Phillips and grabbed him crying, "Ritchie, why did you have to go on that plane?" Phillips hugged her to him and both wept in each others arms.
Other great moments include stories of the Bopper's son trying to find out information about his dad. One touching story is about one of the promoters recounting speaking to the Bopper and the promoter's wife who was pregnant was with him. Richardson's wife was expecting their son and J.P. asked if he could touch the promoter's wife stomach to feel the baby and said how much he missed being on the road away from his wife and would to be there when their son was born. Richardson, Jr. reflected on hearing the story and tearing up knowing that his dad loved him before he was even born.
One funny story Waylon Jennings tells of being on the road when a large, young man hopped on Jennings' tour bus, sat next to Jennings and declared, "My name is Big Bopper, Jr., and I want you to tell me about my Daddy!". Jennings looked at the young man who was a spitting image of J.P. Richardson and said, "Your Daddy was a good, old boy who could shoot craps, and how the hell did you get on this bus?".
'Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died' is a great special that is definitely worth tracking down. A very nice memorial of three greats in Rock history who were taken away too soon.