Today I learned of the passing of guitar great Tommy Allsup at the age of 85. Although not a household name he is most known for his work with Buddy Holly. He was Hollies guitar player after his breakup from the Crickets. He played on the infamous Winter Dance Party tour along with Waylon Jennings as Hollies other guitar player. It was on this tour during a stop in Clear Lake that Holly chartered a plane to the next stop in Moorehead. Both Allsup and Jennings were to fly with Holly. But when co-headliner The Big Bopper got sick Waylon gave him his seat and the plane. Ritchie Valens one of the tours other stars also wanted a seat on the plane and flipped a coin for the seat with Allsup. Thankfully for Allsup he lost the toss because the plane would crash later that evening just a mile from the airport killing all on board. I was lucky enough to see Allsup during one of the Winter Dance Party tributes in 2012. Above is a video from that night. I was also able to meet him and get his autograph along with others who were there that night.
