The Tragic Death Of The Big Bopper

They were all on a grueling winter tour of Midwest performance venues, traveling as much as 300 miles between gigs in buses that barely functioned, leading at least one band member to suffer frostbite. Holly was the main draw, though Valens had charted well, as had Richardson. According to Biography, Holly was tired and wanted

They were all on a grueling winter tour of Midwest performance venues, traveling as much as 300 miles between gigs in buses that barely functioned, leading at least one band member to suffer frostbite. Holly was the main draw, though Valens had charted well, as had Richardson. According to Biography, Holly was tired and wanted just one good night's sleep, so he chartered a plane for himself and his band. Valens flipped a coin with Tommy Allsup over a seat and won — sort of, says Ultimate Classic Rock. Richardson was fighting a case of the flu and prevailed upon the bass player's goodness of heart to fly instead of spending another night on the freezing cold, uncomfortable bus. The bass player, Waylon Jennings, agreed to switch travel arrangements. Lucky him.

Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed in an Iowa field, and everyone died, including the pilot, Roger Peterson. The three performers were thrown clear of the wreckage; Peterson's body was found within the wreckage. Richardson was found about 40 feet from what was left of the plane. His injuries were horrendous; he died immediately, age 28. According to the coroner's report, posted by the Des Moines Register, there was a guitar pick in his pocket.

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