It was a snowy night on February 3, 1959, when a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft carrying Buddy Holly, 22, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, 28, and Ritchie Valens, 17, crashed shortly after takeoff outside Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all aboard. At the time, the three were among the biggest forces in American pop music, touring together along with other notable acts of the day, including Dion and the Belmonts and Waylon Jennings (who was playing in Holly's backup band and, according to legend, gave up his seat on the plane to Richardson). The tragic moment was immortalized in Don McClean's song "American Pie," and perhaps in a larger sense punctuated the end of innocence that had characterized the '50s and ushered in the Cold War, the Vietnam draft and war-related civil unrest in America.

This January, Pittsfield's Colonial Theatre presents The Winter Dance Party, the official tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, starring Broadway luminary John Mueller as Holly, Vegas star Ray Anthony (pictured) as Valens and Jay P. Richardson, Jr. as his father, The Big Bopper. Rave reviews have followed the tribute from sources as clout-worthy as Dick Clark and Holly's own brother, Larry.

Jan. 3, 8 p.m., $25-40, The Colonial Theatre, 111 South St., Pittsfield, (413) 997-4444, www.TheColonialTheatre.org.