'The Day the Music Died'

J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson who died in a plane crash in Feb. 1959. (AP)

June 1, 1957: J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson who died in a plane crash in Feb. 1959. (AP)

June 1, 1959: A headshot of famous rock singer Buddy Holly who died 50 years ago today. (AP)

Sept. 1, 1957: Another headshot of Buddy Holly. He was killed in 1959 when the small plane he was flying in crashed into an Iowa farm. (AP)

June 1, 1957: An earlier photo of Buddy Holly. He and fellow singers J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson and Ritchie Valens had just finished performing before boarding a plane that would soon crash. (AP)

Feb. 3, 1959: A headshot of the rock singer J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. (AP)

A shot of Buddy Holly's grave. (AP)

A memorial erected for Holly, Valens and Richardson (AP)

A memorial erected for Holly, Valens and Richardson. (AP)

A memorial for Holly shows his famous glasses. (AP)

A memorial erected for Buddy Holly. (AP)

A wall at the Surf ballroom where fans can write a message to the stars. (AP)

A picture of Valens, Holly and Richardson. (AP)

Big Bopper, Jr. (AP)

Fans at the a dance to honor "The Day the Music Died." (AP)

Fans at the a dance to honor "The Day the Music Died." (AP)

Fans at the a dance to honor "The Day the Music Died." (AP)

Fans at the a dance to honor "The Day the Music Died." (AP)