Day the Music Died

English

Alternative forms

• day the music died

Etymology

Coined in 1971 by singer-songwriter Don McLean, in his song "American Pie".

Proper noun

the Day the Music Died

1. (historical) February 3rd, 1959, the day when American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson.
2. (by extension) Any other day perceived in an extremely sad light, especially one in which a musician or musicians died, or in which negative consequences to the music industry were otherwise caused.

   Frank Sinatra's death marked the Day the Music Died.