The lyrics involving Jim Croce and Bobby Darin replaced Climax 's lyrics for Buddy Holly ( " Peggy Sue " ) and Ritchie Valens ( " Donna " ) , both of whom died in a plane crash that had already been commemorated by another hit song , Don McLean 's " American Pie . " Also , in 1981 , when the Righteous Brothers appeared for a one song reunion on '' American Bandstand '' , they performed " Rock and Roll Heaven " , and made it longer including new lyrics as tributes to Elvis Presley , John Lennon , and Keith Moon
died in a plane crash
The Day the Music Died
Rock and Roll Heaven