Based on the only interview conducted with Tommy Dee since 1959, Al Leichter’s new book, Tommy Dee: Three Stars Still Shining, gives us the only complete story behind the first tribute record to Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.
Leichter will be at Bookworks, 101 W. Beverley St., Downtown Staunton, on Saturday, July 30, from 1-3 p.m. to sell and sign copies of his book.
Dee’s song was written only hours following the trio’s death – his reaction to the terrible plane crash that claimed the lives of the three pioneers of American rock-nroll near Clear Lake, Iowa. He only intended it to be played on the radio station where he worked, but the opportunity came to have it recorded professionally, and he grabbed it. The result was Three Stars, which would do so well that it reached number 11 on the national charts, and has sold millions of copies since.
Leichter is a long-time record collector and the author of two music discographies, the newspaper column Rockin’ All Nite Long, plus five books on local Staunton history. He resides in Staunton with his wife and his music collection.
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