Three Stars " is a song written by Tommy Dee in 1959 , as a tribute to Buddy Holly , Ritchie Valens , and J.P. Richardson ( The Big Bopper ) , who died in a plane crash earlier that year . The song was recorded by Tommy Dee with Carol Kay and first released on April 5 , 1959 , by Crest Records . The lyrics suggested the three " stars " represent the three musicians that died in the crash
a plane crash
The Day the Music Died
Three Stars (song)