Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of what Don McLean called "the day the music died." Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens performed their last concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, as part of the Winter Dance Party tour.

They were killed in a plane crash shortly after midnight after that show.

The Surf Ballroom hosted the 50 Winters Later tribute concert Monday night, featuring Graham Nash, Los Lonely Boys and Delbert McClinton. Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens, Peter and Gordon, lyricist Tim Rice and the Big Bopper's son will be part of the tribute portion. Los Lobos will also perform. The hit group performed Valens' songs for the soundtrack to the biopic of the musician, "La Bamba."

Tommy Allsup of Holly's backing band will also perform. He's the guy who lost the coin toss to Valens for a seat on the plane. Bobby Vee will also perform. Also spared in the tragedy was legendary singer Waylon Jennings, who played bass in Holly's band. Jennings, who died in 2003, gave up his seat up on the plane to The Big Bopper, who was ill.

His big break was as a teenager when he was asked to fill in for Holly at the concert that was the next stop on the tour in Minnesota.