His 20 Greatest Hits - 180 Gram Vinyl-Audiophile Pressing. On February 3, 1959, 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. This tragic event would later become known as "The Day the Music Died" after singersongwriter Don McLean referred to it as such in his classic 1971 song "American Pie". Buddy Holly was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. Along with his group The Crickets, he was among the first rock musicians to make rock & roll truly accessible to their listeners, and popularized the two guitars, bass, and drums lineup. His musical development was sadly shortened by his untimely death at the tender age of 22. His songs were covered by such artists as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Black Keys, Blondie, and Bruce Springsteen, among hundreds of others. This 180-gram VINYL EDITION presents his 20 GREATEST HITS.