The annals of music history are filled with tales of triumph, tragedy, and moments that alter the course of destiny. One such pivotal event, often remembered with a shiver of what-ifs, involves a coin toss that spared one musician’s life while tragically claiming others. This is the story of Tommy Allsup, the talented guitarist who, through a twist of fate, did not board the ill-fated plane that crashed on February 3, 1959, an event now famously known as “The Day the Music Died.” The central question, who lost coin toss with Ritchie Valens, points directly to Allsup, whose life was spared by that very toss.
The Winter Dance Party Tour of 1959
The year 1959 saw a grueling tour crisscrossing the Midwest: the Winter Dance Party. This was a package tour featuring some of the biggest names in rock and roll at the time: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. The logistics of such a tour were challenging, particularly the long bus rides between venues in the harsh winter conditions of the upper Midwest. Buses frequently broke down, heating systems failed, and the musicians endured cramped, uncomfortable conditions, often arriving at the next venue exhausted and unwell.
Buddy Holly, who was headlining the tour, had hired a new band for this series of performances. Among his sidemen was Tommy Allsup, a gifted guitarist from Oklahoma. Allsup had established himself as a reliable and respected musician, capable of handling the intricate guitar work required for Holly’s dynamic sound. He was an integral part of the touring ensemble, sharing the stage and the arduous travel with Holly, Valens, and Richardson.
The Fateful Decision in Clear Lake, Iowa
By February 2, 1959, the tour had reached Clear Lake, Iowa. The next stop was Moorhead, Minnesota, a significant distance away. The musicians were fed up with the uncomfortable bus travel. Buddy Holly, in an attempt to alleviate the travel woes for himself and his band, decided to charter a small plane. The Beechcraft Bonanza would fly from Mason City, Iowa (near Clear Lake) to Fargo, North Dakota (close to Moorhead), allowing him, his new bassist Waylon Jennings, and drummer Carl Bunch to arrive rested and ready for the next show.
However, circumstances began to shift the passenger list for the small, four-seat aircraft. Carl Bunch, the drummer, had already been hospitalized due to frostbite, making him unable to fly. This opened up one seat. Waylon Jennings, Holly’s bassist, voluntarily gave up his seat to J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, who was suffering from the flu and desperately needed rest. This left one remaining seat on the plane.
The Coin Toss: A Moment of Destiny
This is where the story of who lost coin toss with Ritchie Valens comes into sharp focus. Ritchie Valens, eager to avoid another long, cold bus ride, expressed his desire to take the last available seat on the plane. However, the seat was technically assigned to Tommy Allsup, as part of Buddy Holly’s core band.
In a moment of casual camaraderie that would become etched in history, Valens and Allsup decided to settle the matter with a coin toss. Valens called “heads.” The coin was flipped, landed, and revealed “heads.” Ritchie Valens had won the toss.
For Tommy Allsup, this outcome meant he would remain on the bus with the rest of the touring party. For Ritchie Valens, it meant a swift, comfortable flight to the next destination. Neither musician could have predicted the profound implications of that seemingly innocuous decision.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
Shortly after 1:00 AM on February 3, 1959, the Beechcraft Bonanza, piloted by Roger Peterson, took off from Mason City Municipal Airport. On board were Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. Just minutes after takeoff, the plane crashed into a cornfield a few miles northwest of the airport. All four occupants perished instantly.
The news of the crash sent shockwaves through the music world and beyond. The tragic loss of three young, vibrant stars at the peak of their careers was devastating. The event became a cultural touchstone, forever known as “The Day the Music Died,” a phrase popularized by Don McLean’s 1971 hit song “American Pie.”
For Tommy Allsup, the realization of what had transpired, and his proximity to it, was immense. The simple coin toss, a trivial moment at the time, had separated him from the fate of his friends and colleagues. He had been spared, while Valens, who had won the toss, had lost his life.
Tommy Allsup’s Life After the Coin Toss
The experience of being the musician who lost coin toss with Ritchie Valens and thus survived had a profound and lasting impact on Tommy Allsup. He continued his career in music, becoming a highly respected session musician and producer. His talent on the guitar was undeniable, and he contributed to countless recordings for various artists across different genres, including country and rock and roll.
Allsup worked with legendary figures such as Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson, among many others. He became a fixture in the Nashville music scene, known for his versatility and professionalism. Despite his success, the memory of that night in February 1959 never truly left him. He often recounted the story of the coin toss, a testament to its singular significance in his life.
In later years, Allsup opened a club in Fort Worth, Texas, appropriately named “Tommy’s Heads Up Saloon,” a nod to the fateful coin toss. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy not only as a gifted musician but also as a man whose life was forever intertwined with one of rock and roll’s most enduring tragedies.
The Enduring Legacy of “The Day the Music Died”
The story of “The Day the Music Died” continues to resonate with new generations. It represents a pivotal moment in music history, marking the premature end of three influential careers that shaped the nascent sound of rock and roll. Buddy Holly’s innovative songwriting and recording techniques, Ritchie Valens’ pioneering blend of rock and roll with Latin influences, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson’s charismatic stage presence all left an indelible mark.
The narrative of who lost coin toss with Ritchie Valens serves as a poignant reminder of the randomness of fate and the narrow margins that can separate life from death. Tommy Allsup became a living symbol of that miraculous escape, a quiet testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of immense loss. His survival allowed him to contribute decades more to the music world, enriching the lives of many through his artistry. The coin toss, a simple act, became a profound turning point, forever linking Tommy Allsup to one of rock and roll’s most tragic chapters.
Was the coin toss real in La Bamba?
Great question! While the scene is true about the coin toss between Ritchie and a member of Buddy’s band, Ritchie Valens was not sick as seen in the movie. The Big Bopper was.
Did Waylon Jennings give up his seat to Ritchie Valens?
Great question! Waylon Jennings gave up his seat to Richie because Richie was sick. Buddy kiddingly told Waylon he hoped the bus broke down, Waylon said to Buddy I hope your plane crashes.