The late 1950s were an important period in the early years of Rock-n-Roll. At that time, relatively new Rock-n-Roll took a massive stride forward into the mainstream with Bill Haley & His Comets’ mega-popular “Rock Around the Clock.” From here, it steadily grew with artists like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley. Then, by the latter part of the decade, several exciting young talents were also making their names known, three of them being Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens.
Each striking it big within a couple of years, in 1957 Buddy Holly had hits with “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue,” The Big Bopper had one of the most played songs with “Chantilly Lace” in 1958, while the 17 year old Ritchie Valens was making waves also in 1958 with his songs “Come On, Let’s Go” and “Donna.” Truly a special time for music, tragically, these shining stars were snuffed out on February 3, 1959, when all three died in a tragic plane crash after taking off in a winter storm.
Something we all recognize as ‘The Day the Music Died” (as famously stated in Don McLean’s iconic 1971 song “American Pie”), Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens may all be gone, but they certainly are not forgotten. First, in 1978, Buddy Holly was the subject of a major film called The Buddy Holly Story (starring Gary Busey as Buddy Holly). Meanwhile, the Big Bopper has been the subject of several documentaries in recent years, and Ritchie Valens was immortalized in the 1987 hit film La Bamba (starring Lou Diamon Phillip as Ritchie Valens).
Beyond this, their music has remained a part of many listeners’ collections, is featured in films/television, and the Winter Dance Party (the tour all three stars were on together when they died) has become a memorial event at the historic Surf Ballroom & Museum in Clear Lake, Iowa. An event that has happened annually since 1979, many performers have performed at the memorial Winter Dance Party concerts, including Buddy Holly’s band The Crickets, Dion, Freddy Cannon, and more. Additionally, others who have been a part of it have included Guns N’ Roses’ Gilby Clarke, and in 2026 (scheduled for January 29 through February 2nd), there will be a bill headlined by ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons.
Truly a great way to remember iconic artists and their music, in early 2025, an announcement came from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, in conjunction with C3 Entertainment, that they would release the first-ever official Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper bobbleheads. Done so to honor and commemorate the 66th anniversary of ‘The Day the Music Died,’ these new pieces are limited and individually numbered (2,025 units each).
With pre-orders commencing in early 2025 and shipping out midway through the year, both bobbleheads take center stage in early 2026, with January 7, 2026, being National Bobblehead Day. A tradition begun back in 2014 by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, 2026’s celebration has a list of new releases being unveiled, including a Saturday Night Live line of bobbleheads.
Very cool, the Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper bobbleheads in particular go for $30 each retail, are still available, and can be purchased at store.bobbleheadhall.com. Well worth looking into, the Ritchie Valens figure features him posing with his electric guitar, chest high, with an infectious smile on his face. Meanwhile, the Big Bopper bobblehead has him dressed in a distinctive black-and-white striped suit, with a guitar slung around his neck and a telephone in his hand.
Both are very artistically crafted. With that in mind, Ritchie Valens also has a print of his signature on the base, and both figures stand 8 inches tall and have a very sturdy build. Overall, a lot of fun and respectful to each artist, they make for a great collector’s item for you or a Rock-n-Roll fan in your life. That is why Cryptic Rock recommends heading over to the Bobblehead Hall of Fame Store get the Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper bobbleheads before they are sold out, giving them 5 out of 5 stars.
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