Episode 14B – 1959: A Rock ‘N Roll Tragedy & A Podcast Update

From Boomers to Millennials: A Modern US History Podcast

This episode begins with a few stray observations exploring topics mentioned in recent episodes, including the Cuban Revolution, neoliberalism, the Capitol Riot, & the popularity of conspiracy theories. The main narrative of the program explores the early history of rock 'n roll. We discuss how rock music became big business by the late 50s, despite accusations from conservative forces that the new sound was an immoral & subversive racket that corrupted American teenagers. One of the rising stars of the genre was a lanky & bespectacled young man from Lubbock, Texas named Buddy Holly. He quickly attained national fame thanks to hit songs like "Peggy Sue," but he then experienced a financially-damaging breakup with his band & his management. Short on cash & needing to provide for his new wife & unborn child, he launched on an ill-advised mid-winter tour of the Upper Midwest alongside fellow rockers Richie Valens & the Big Bopper. After their rickety tour bus broke down in dangerously cold temperatures, resulting in his drummer being hospitalized with frostbite, Holly decided that chartering a private plane might be a safer way to travel. Unfortunately, this proved not to be the case, & Holly became the first of a string of rock stars to die young under tragic circumstances.

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