What Happened on February 3, 1959

Historical Events

The Day the Music Died

"The Day the Music Died" plane crash kills musicians Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, J. P. Richardson (aka The Big Bopper), and the pilot. near Clear Lake, Iowa

  • American Airlines Electra crashes in NY's East River, killing 65

Famous Birthdays

  • (Laurence) "Lol" Tolhurst, British rock keyboardist and drummer/drum machine player (The Cure, 1978-89 - "Boys Don't Cry" "The Lovecats"), born in Horley, England
  • Thomas Calabro, American actor (Michael Mancini-Melrose Place), born in Brooklyn, New York
  • Yasuharu Konishi, Japanese Shibuya-kei J-pop musician, composer, and record producer (Pizzicato Five), born in Sapporo, Japan
Born in 1959

Famous Deaths

Buddy Holly (1936-1959)

American rock and roll musician and songwriter ("Peggy Sue"; "That'll Be the Day"; "Words Of Love"), dies in a plane crash at 22 [1]

  • Ritchie Valens [Valenzuela], American rock singer ("Donna"; "La Bamba"), dies in plane crash at 17
  • The Big Bopper [Jiles Perry Richardson], American radio disc jockey, singer and songwriter (Chantilly Lace; White Lightning), dies in plane crash at 28
1959 Highlights

About February 3, 1959

Day of the Week: Tuesday
How Long Ago? 65 years, 1 month and 16 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Star Sign: Aquarius

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price
  • UK #1 Song: One Night/I Got Stung - Elvis Presley