The Day The Music Died (Reflections On "La Bamba" The Pioneers Of Rock)

February 03, 2021

I am a Bicentennial kid, born in 1976. And as a member of Generation X, I always felt like I had one foot in the past and one foot in the future. I would grow up adopting new technologies as they would be released to the public, but also would be exposed to classic television syndication and classic music through local radio stations like K-Earth 101 in Los Angeles.

Some of my fondest trips with the family would include being in traffic headed to L.A. or Anaheim and listening to an amazing collection of Rock & Roll icons.

With those 'golden oldies' stations I would listen to legends like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Fats Domino, The Righteous Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly (I would listen to him quite a bit with my cousin Matt), and all the greats of Motown.

But it would be in 1987 that I would realize that my own identity would be reflected in this music that I originally thought wasn't.

This was when "La Bamba," the biopic based on the life and tragic death of rock pioneer Ritchie Valens was released and after having seen it in the theaters with my family it lit a fire in me.

It also educated me in a period of time that signaled an end of an era. So much so that the tragic loss of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper on February 3rd 1959 was referred to as 'The Day The Music Died.' The '60's would enter a new era of Beatlemania and The British Invasion (which I also am obsessed with), but it was definitely not THAT era. The Pioneers Of Rock.

My parents bought our very first compact disc, and it was the "La Bamba" soundtrack. Superb covers of Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, The Big Bopper, and Jackie Wilson. I couldn't get enough.

This is my nostalgia, along with "American Graffiti," and the T.V. classic "Happy Days." And it was oddly enough Boomer nostalgia. So I always felt a kinship with that long forgotten time of burger joints, "Ozzie & Harriet," "Leave It To Beaver," and good ol' classic rock & roll.

So as somber as this anniversary is, it's also a reminder of why these people were special. Why that time in history (even though it wasn't kind to many Mexican Americans) is something I can claim. Thanks to Ritchie.

Rest In Peace to The Three Stars. From a proud 'honorary' Boomer.