The Day the Music Died (20 images)

Rock 'n' roll fans walk by a giant pair of Buddy Holly glasses as they visit the site of the plane crash that killed Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson near Clear Lake, Iowa on February 2, 2009. Singer Don McLean coined the phrase "the day the music died" in his hit song American Pie referring to the death of the three rock 'n' roll pioneers in the early morning hours of February 3, 1959. Thousands of people descended upon Clear Lake to celebrate the 50th anniversary of "the day the music died". (UPI Photo/Brian Kersey)

Peter and Gordon the British Invasion-era duo formed by Peter Asher (L) and Gordon Waller (R) perform during a tribute concert memorializing Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson and Ritchie Valens at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 2, 2009. The three rock 'n' roll pioneers played their last show at the Surf Ballroom 50 years ago to the day. Singer Don McLean coined the phrase "the day the music died" in his hit song "American Pie" referring to the death of the plane crash that killed the three stars in the early morning hours of February 3, 1959. (UPI Photo/Brian Kersey)

Brothers Henry (L), Ringo (C) and Jojo Garza of Los Lonely Boys perform during a tribute concert memorializing Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson and Ritchie Valens at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 2, 2009. The three rock 'n' roll pioneers played their last show at the Surf Ballroom 50 years ago to the day. Singer Don McLean coined the phrase "the day the music died" in his hit song "American Pie" referring to the death of the plane crash that killed the three stars in the early morning hours of February 3, 1959. (UPI Photo/Brian Kersey)

Eyeglasses belonging to Buddy Holly along with a bow tie and cufflinks belonging to Ritchie Valens are displayed before a tribute concert memorializing Holly, Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 2, 2009. The three rock 'n' roll pioneers played their last show at the Surf Ballroom 50 years ago to the day. Singer Don McLean coined the phrase "the day the music died" in his hit song "American Pie" referring to the death of the plane crash that killed the three stars in the early morning hours of February 3, 1959. (UPI Photo/Brian Kersey)