Mulligan Stew Feb 3rd 2024-Tribute to Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens Saturday

Episode Notes

I see Rockin’ Roy is also remembering Buddy Holly.

Who better to tell that story?

Buddy, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper (JP Richardson) all died in a plane crash Feb 3 1959. They had played the night before in Clear Lake Iowa.

For those who know the name but not the story behind Buddy and Ritchie both these CKUA shows will be a primer.

If you are a fan..all those memories will come flooding back.

Buddy especially wrote about love and romance. He wasn’t as scary as Little Richard and Jerry Lee and had none of the sexy swagger of Elvis but he HAD the songs. The early hits he recorded at the Norman Petty Studios in Clovis New Mexico.

(Barry Allen and Wes Dakus and the Rebels recorded their early hits at Norman Petty’s studio in Clovis New Mexico and came back with tales of amazing Buddy and  producer Norman)

In the late 50’s and early 60’s Buddy’s songs were heard all over the World..

Which is why on their first records,  The Beatles and The Stones included Buddy Holly covers.

Buddy was 22

Bopper 28.

Ritchie was only 17

Ritchie Valens was the first star to make Chicano rock music. He had only been releasing hits for less than a year but would be huge. Driving the hit bus was La Bamba.  Another was the Leiber-Stoller song Framed with Carol Kaye on bass and Earl Palmer on drums.

The Stew is going to play tracks from Ritchie and Buddy plus bands influenced by these artists.

*Footnote…

Buddy’s bassist gave up his seat on the plane to a sick Big Bopper. His name is Waylon Jennings.

And the night  Buddy sang in Clear Lake,  standing right in front of him watching his every move and listening to every note was a very young Bob Dylan. Dylan still talks about that night and that singer.

Also on Saturdays “Stew” The first-hour donor had a short but fine wish list. Taj Mahal, Susan Tedeschi and Los Lobos.

They are fully covered. Including Taj and Los Lobos together plus  Susan and Tedeschi Trucks jamming with Taj in a dressing room – Taj was teaching TTB his version of Leaving Trunk. It’s simply electric.

New Music from

• Mark Knopfler
• The Strumbellas
• Pretenders
• Celeigh Cardinal
• Adrian Sutherland
• Bahamas
• The Black Keys
• Robbie Robertson

Come on – turn it UP

INTERVIEW Next week – Alan Doyle