On February 2 , 1959 , preparing for a concert at Clear Lake , Iowa , Holly decides to charter a private plane to fly to Moorhead , Minnesota for his next big concert as the tour bus has broken down . The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens join him on the flight . Meanwhile , the Crickets , feeling nostalgic , appear unexpectedly at Maria 's door , expressing their desire to reunite the band . They plan to surprise Buddy at his next tour stop . After playing his final song , " Not Fade Away " , Holly bids the crowd farewell with : " Thank you Clear Lake ! C'mon . We love you . We 'll see you next year . " A caption then reveals that Holly , Valens , and the Bopper died in a plane crash that night " ... and the rest is Rock and Roll . " Actor Gilbert Melgar is briefly seen , in an uncredited non-speaking role , playing Ritchie Valens
that night
The Day the Music Died
The Buddy Holly Story