Holly invited Bunch , Tommy Allsup , and Waylon Jennings to be his backing band for the " Winter Dance Party " tour in 1959 . Holly ’s band also backed other acts on the tour , including Ritchie Valens and J.P. " The Big Bopper " Richardson . When Bunch had to be left behind in Wisconsin , hospitalized for frostbite he experienced after the tour bus heater failed , Holly and Valens took turns in the drum chair playing behind the various acts . On February 3 , 1959 , Holly , Valens , and Richardson were killed in a plane crash en route to the next tour stop . Bunch rejoined the tour on February 5 , in Sioux City , Iowa . Ronnie Smith , Jimmy Clanton and Fabian were also recruited to help fill out the playbill . The tour ended on February 15 , 1959 , in Springfield , Illinois
were killed in a plane crash
The Day the Music Died
Carl Bunch