Culture Re-View: The day the music died - how Buddy Holly's tragic death inspired 'American Pie'

3 February 1959: The Day the Music Died 3 February 1959: The Day the Music Died

“A long long time ago; I can still remember; How that music used to make me smile,” “A long long time ago; I can still remember; How that music used to make me smile,”

Don McLean sings opening one of the definitive songs of the 70s, Don McLean sings opening one of the definitive songs of the 70s,

“February made me shiver; with every paper I’d deliver,” McLean sings a few lines later. “February made me shiver; with every paper I’d deliver,” McLean sings a few lines later.

McLean is of course referring to a famous day, today in 1959. McLean is of course referring to a famous day, today in 1959.

every verse of ‘American Pie’ itt is, of course, “the day the music died”. every verse of ‘American Pie’ itt is, of course, “the day the music died”.