There were supposed to be four people on the plane. There was only
room for three. The fourth person lost the coin toss -- or should I say
won the toss. His name is Waylon Jennings. Jennings was the bass player
for Holly's band at the time.
Some people say that Holly had chartered
the plane for his band, but that Valens and/or Richardson was to replace
Jennings who was sick that night.
About the "coat he borrowed from James Dean": James Dean's red windbreaker
is important throughout the "Rebel Without a Cause," not just at the end.
When he put it on, it meant that it was time to face the world, time to
do what he thought had to be done, and other melodramatic but thoroughly
enjoyable stuff like that. The week after the movie came out, nearly every
clothing store in the U.S. was sold out of red windbreakers. Remember that
Dean's impact was similar to Dylan's: both were a symbol for the youth
of their time, a reminder that they had something to say and demanded to
be heard.
Some figure that if Holly had not have died, then we would not have
suffered through the Fabian/Pat Boone era... and consequently, we wouldn't
have "needed" the Beatles (I have strong arguments opposing that opinion).
Holly was quickly moving pop music away from the stereotypical boy/girl
love lost/found lyrical ideas, and was recording with unique instrumentation
and techniques...things that Beatles would not try until about 1965 (although
I still credit the Beatles with all the musical revolutions). Without Holly's
death, perhaps Dylan would have stuck with the rock and roll he played
in high school and the Byrds never would have created an amalgam of Dylan
songs and Beatle arrangements.
Think we're nuts? Have other theories? Visit our message boards and throw out your idea. Click here!
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