The Beatles started work on their new single "Lady Madonna", Elton John started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Crocodile Rock", Pearl Jam began their first-ever European tour and Buddy Holly, JP Richardson (aka The Big Bopper) and Ritchie Valens, along with pilot Roger Peterson, died in a plane crash shortly after takeoff from Clear Lake, Iowa, Today in Music History.