The Day the Music Died, February 3, 1959, refers to the plane crash that killed three rock and roll singers, who were very popular at the time. Early that morning, at approximately 1:05 AM Central Standard Time Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper (J. P. Richardson) were killed when the plane they were on crashed en route to a gig near Fargo, North Dakota. Don McLean's 1971 song, "American Pie", contains many references to this day, including the phrase itself.