Gone were the poodle skirts and saddle shoes. It was the beginning of the end as people said goodbye to simpler times. I watched the documentary with goose bumps. But that music is very much still alive today. It may have been “The Day the Music Died” for the rest of the world. Our children are taught the history of this tragedy, to love the music so it can live on. The Surf Ballroom has worked diligently over the years to preserve the memory of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. To them, it was just a catchy tune, one that was fun to sing. Many people may not have realized the connection between American Pie and the tragedy that shook the rock ‘n’ roll world in 1959. It was riddled with celebrity interviews, of childhood memories and, of course, the Surf Ballroom. Paramount+ released their documentary, “ The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie” on July 19th capturing the essence of McLean’s rise from a young musician to a global phenomenon.
Little did he know the impact they would have on the world – and how we’d still be singing them all these years later. A young singer/songwriter named Don McLean, looking to make his mark on the music industry, penned those words.
