3rd February 1959: A hugely important, dark and poignant date in music history. In order to mark the 60th anniversary of the tragedy that really rocked the rock n roll era, here is the music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson as interpreted by their friends, peers and fans: from contemporary covers of the songs they made famous by the likes of Rusty York and The Ravens; posthumous but heart-felt versions of their hits by such as Sam Butera, Bobby Vee and Jerry Paul; Buddy Holly successes performed by the original composers Sonny West and Ben Hall, and a handful of tributes by British rock 'n' roll stars like Marty Wilde, Tommy Steele and Du ffy Power, topped off with the original version of that most touching posthumous tribute of all, "Three Stars" by Californian D.J., Tommy Dee.
"Look up in the sky - up toward the north,
There are three new stars brightly shining forth.
They're shining so bright, from heaven above,
Gee, we're gonna miss you, everybody sends their love!"
LP 1 - Rave On... And On
Side A:
- Rave On - Sonny West
- Come On Let's Go - Tommy Steele
- Chantilly Lace - Sam Butera
- Oh Boy - Jerry Paul
- Donna - Marty Wilde
- White Lightnin' - George Jones
- That'll Be The Day - The Ravens
Side B:
- Peggy Sue - Rusty York
- That's My Little Suzie - Duffy Power
- Beggar to a King - Hank Snow
- Well All Right - Bobby Vee
- Blue Days, Black Nights - Ben Hall
- It Doesn't Matter Anymore Rob & Roy
- Three Stars Tonny Dee
LP 2 - Buddy Holly... Alternatively
Side A - His greatest Rockabilly performances.
- Midnight Shift (alternative take - 26th January 1956)
- Don't Come Back Knockin' (alternative take - 26th January 1956)
- Moonlight Baby (demo cut - 7th December 1955)
- Down The Line (alternative demo take - Mid 1955)
- I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down (demo cut - Early 1956)
- Love Me (demo cut - 7th December 1955)
Side B - His classic hits.
- Not Fade Away (alternative overdub - 29th May 1957)
- Maybe Baby (alternative version - 1st March 1957)
- Oh Boy (undubbed version - 1st July 1957)
- Peggy Sue (alternative take - 1st July 1957)
- Think It Over (undubbed alternative take - 13th February 1958)
- Reminiscing (undubbed version - 10th September 1958)