ou've heard the song,but do you remember

the story?On a cold stormy

night, Feb. 3, 1959, three ofrock music's most popularand up-and-coming starstook a plane ride, never toreturn.

Frustrated with tour busconditions after a gig thenight before at Surf Ballroomin Clear Lake, Iowa, rock hit-maker Buddy Holly, alongwith teen idol Ritchie Valensand radio personality turnedmusic star J. P. "The Big Bop-per" Richardson, decided thatafter the night’s show theywould board a small chartercraft headed to their next gigin Hector Airport in Fargo,North Dakota.

On their way to their desti-nation, the plane crashed intoa cornfield, killing all four pas-sengers, including pilot RogerPeterson.

Immortalized in movies,“The Buddy Holly Story”(1978) with actor Gary Buseyas Holly, as well as “La Bamba”(1987) with Lou DiamondPhillips as Valens and EsaiMorales as his brother Bob,many music fans will also for-ever associate the incidentwith Don McLean's 1971jukebox staple, “AmericanPie” which was also coveredby Madonna in 2000.

While there is a ton of infor-mation available on the web

regarding the crash itself —everything from Buddy Hol-ly's autopsy report to the offi-cial accident report — thereare a lot of twist of fate storiessprinkled throughout, includ-ing future country legendWaylon Jennings losing hisseat to Richardson, RitchieValens winning a coin toss tofly, and Dion DiMucci fromDion & The Belmonts choos-ing not to fly due to the priceof the flight ($36), among oth-er trivia bits.

The influence of these tal-ents on the history of popularmusic will always be felt andrecognized. Guitarist CarlosSantana always cites RitchieValens as one of the reasonshe picked up the guitar as ayoung Latino. Beatle PaulMcCartney has paid tribute toBuddy Holly numerous times,even producing one of thebest tribute projects availableon Holly, entitled “The RealBuddy Holly.”

And who can forget dancingto “La Bamba,” saying “Hellll-loooo Babyyyy?” like the BigBopper or screaming out“Rittchhhhieeee!” after hearinga Ritchie Valens song?

Why not throw on thosedancing shoes, turn on “PeggySue,” “Donna,” or one of yourfavorite tracks by these leg-ends on Feb. 3, and maybeeven raise a toast to the artistswho gave us these immortalclassics.

By MATT MUNOZ | MÁS staff

The

Feb. 3 marks the 50th anniversary of theplane crash that changed rock 'n' roll, but

the music and the musicians behind thehits are as important as ever

lives onmusicMÚSICA

Y

JJaannuuaarryy 2255,, 22000099 MÁS | 09

6 | MÁS MMaarrcchh 22000099

ttencion all fans of thought-provoking street art andpolitico-rockers RageAgainst The Machine.

Former Bakersfield residentartist, also known as “El Fatom,”Joey Krebs, will be the focus of anupcoming art show at The Base-ment Gallery, 1532 19th St., March7 and 8, running from 7 to 11 p.m.on both nights.

Most popularly known for hiswork used on the cover of RageAgainst The Machine’s 1999 CD,“The Battle of Los Angeles,” Krebsremains active on the internationalart scene, as well as in his currenthome of Los Angeles.

The March show, titled “BreakingGround,” will also feature more than35 different artists with a heavyfocus on urban street styles. This willalso be Krebs’ first art-associatedappearance in Bakersfield sincemoving away in the late ‘90s.

“It came together in perfect tim-ing,” said Krebs, 37, of the show. “Ideveloped my style from living inBakersfield. It’s a very progressivecommunity, and I mean that sin-cerely. I really consider it my home-town.”

Krebs’ local connection doesn’tend with art — he’s also an avidsupporter of local wrestling.

Krebs was commissioned by CIFWrestling Sports TournamentDirector, Alan Paradise, to createand design the 5th annual editionDavid Schultz Champion of Cham-pions Memorial Trophy platter forthis year’s “Most OutstandingWrestler” at the 2009 tournamentbeing held at Rabobank Arena,March 6 and 7.

“It’s great that the wrestling tour-nament is going on at the sametime as the art show,” said Krebs.

Raised by a “strong Catholic”Ecuadorean single mother of six inSouthern California, Krebs’younger years were spent in Bak-ersfield during the late ‘80s to mid‘90s.

Also attending CSUB for a shorttime, Krebs gives credit to his men-tor and “adopted grandmother,”the late Ruth Heil Emerson formuch of his artistic development.Emerson was also the founder ofthe Bakersfield Art Association.

“Ruth was a really great person,and she taught me so much,” hesaid fondly.

‘El Fatom’

COURTESY PHOTO

Former Bakersfield resident, Joey Krebs comes backhome to be part of an art show at The Basement Gallery.

to make Bakersfieldappearance

Artist

By MATT MUÑOZ | MÁS staff

A

By MATT MUÑOZ | MÁS staffArgentine rockers, Los Fabu-

losos Cadillacs have restartedtheir engines.

Widely known for their ‘93crossover smash “El Matador,”the sextet are currently in themidst of a huge world tour, witha stop April 10 at LA’s GibsonAmphitheater. Show starts at 8p.m.

Originating in 1985, the high-ly influential music mashers ofLatin rhythms, Jamaicanska/reggae, and American punkdecided to take a seven-yearbreak after nearly 20 years ofincessant work. Now with 11studio albums, three livealbums, and numerous soloventures under their collectivebelts, the band decided it wastime to get back — in a big way.

Their newly-released 13-trackCD, “La Luz Del Ritmo” onNacional Records is currentlyburning up the Latin charts. Acombination of newly writtengems, covers, and re-workedclassics, it’s sure to satisfy bothSpanish and English speakingfans alike.

MÁS recently spoke with LFCSaxophonist Sergio Rotman viaa cell phone call from BuenosAires during a brief break:

Q: Why reunite at thistime?

A: When we started LFC, wewere all very young — I was liv-

ing with my mom. Since then,we’ve done about 1,000 shows.That’s a lot of shows. After thatyou pretty much start to fightwith anything that moves. Wehad to take a break. Now it’sreally nice to get back togetheragain after 7 years.

Q: Describe the “El Mata-dor” phase for the band?

A: When the song came out in‘93 — we were all on holidayout of the country. When wereturned, it was this huge thingaround the world. I used to playthis game with my friends topress scan on the radio to bet ifthe song would be playing. Itwas like that for two years, andbecame more than a hit song —it was a huge himno.

Q: How was recording withlegends like Mick Jones &Debbie Harry?

A: It’s kind of a dream-like sit-uation. After “Matador” cameout, we were told we could getanyone we want in the studio.We gave them a list and itwould happen. It was amazingrecording in Atlanta with MickJones (The Clash,) and havingbeer and pizza. It was actuallymore than amazing, it wasincredible! Full interview at:www.masbakersfield.com

14 | MÁS AApprriill 22000099

Regresan Los CadillacsENTERTAINMENT

Argentine rock legendsare back with new CD &

So. Cal show April 10

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs LIVEGibson Amphitheater, LAFriday, April 108 p.m.www.ticketmaster.comwww.fabulosos-cadillacs.com

JJuunnee 77,, 22000099 MÁS | 35

COMMUNIDAD

Ay Mujer, when God throwsyou a curve ball, take it or leaveit but don’t dwell on it.

With baseball season in fullswing, I began to think about mylife’s trials, tribulations, chal-lenges and accomplishments asa baseball game — a majorleague baseball game, of course.

Growing up, I loved to playthe game and still thoroughlyenjoy watching it be played atany level. So, as I thought aboutwho would be on my fantasybaseball team — since the pitch-er up on the plate throwing mecurvies much, much too fre-quently is Nolan Ryan — I need

the best players ever to play mygame. So, I’ve recruited DerekJeter since he’s not only a greatshortstop but a gentleman andvery easy on the eyes … aymujer.

Covering the bases, LouGehrig on first, Joe Morgan sec-ond and Brooks Robinson onthird. In the outfield, center-fielder, Willie Mays, FrankRobinson in right, and in leftfield, Lou Brock. Catching forstarting pitcher Greg Maddux isJohnny Bench and MarianoRivera will come in as relief.Big Pap, David Ortiz, will be thedesignated hitter and no one

knowingly on ‘roids, porque esoes el equipo de béisbol del dia-blo.

Oh, what a team I’ve assem-bled and you’d think we wouldhave had this game all wrappedup by the end of the ninthinning, but my game keepsgoing on and, good God, NolanRyan just doesn’t seem to tire!

And if that’s not enough, Den-nis Eckersley, Goose Gossage,and Rollie Fingers can be seenwarming up in the bullpen. Thescore has gone back forth andsince we tied at the end of theninth inning, we’ve gone intoextra innings.

My team has fought the goodfight, but it seems like I mayhave recruited the wrong play-ers for my life’s team.

Not that they aren’t top-notchplayers, but for this game, I’mgoing to have to call in my benchwarmers, Peter, Andrew,James, John, Philip, Bart,Tomas, Mateo, Thad, Simon,and Jude.

Major League fun — comparingAmerica’s favorite pastime to life

AY MUJER

“Ay Mujer” is written byDeborah Ramirez, a proud

Chicana de Bakersfield.

By Matt Muñoz | MÁS staff

When the song “La Raza”was released to rap fans in1988, a new era of Latino rapwas born.

Latino rapper “KidFrost,” who used therhythm track of ElChicano’s “Viva Tira-do,” for the hit single,also featured El Chi-cano keyboardistBobby Espinoza inthe accompanyingvideo.

The tune quickly becamean anthem for proud Latinoseverywhere. After the successof that single, Kid Frost, 44,whose real name is ArturoMolina Jr., has built a loyal fanbase from barrios to the inter-national stage. Similar to fel-low Latin hip-hop compadres,Cypress Hill.

Dropping the “Kid” from his

name in ‘95, the rapper con-tinues to be an influence onthe Latino rap world inspiringnew talents worldwide —pret-

ty good for a kidfrom East Los.

Dubbed the “20thAnniversary of LaRaza Tour,” Frostplans on perform-ing his greatest hitsfor the faithful atThe Nile. Openingthe show will berappers Casino and

Weeto, Big LA, Mr. Frank Nitty,and from what we hear - somevery “special” guests.Frost - LIVE!• Friday, June 12• The Nile, 1721 19th St.• 8pm / 21+• $20 advance / $30 at the door• Info: 322-5200• www.vallitix.com

Local Wasco product,Anthony Bernal II, has beenappointed to serve on theUniversity of thePacific AlumniAssociation Boardof Directors inStockton.

Anthony is the sonof Tony and ConnieBernal of Wasco anda graduate of WascoHigh and Universityof the Pacific (UOP/Pacific) inStockton, Ca .

“My parents have alwaysinstilled that it’s not what wehave, but rather what we givethat makes life fulfilling,”Bernal said. “I’m truly hum-bled by the opportunity toserve the more than 60,000Pacific Alumni both locally

and internationally.”Bill Coen, Executive Direc-

tor for Pacific’s Alumni Asso-ciation, is pleasedthat Bernal will serveon the board.

“He is a true leaderthat has the passion,commitment, andintegrity which ouruniversity searchesfor when selectingalumni to serve our

university,” he says.The 30-member Pacific

Alumni Association Board ofDirectors is working withmore than 300 volunteerswho are involved on PacificClub steering committees,class and affinity reunioncommittees and associationcommittees.

Wasco native appointed to university alumni board

Bernal

Kid Frost returns to Bakersfield, June 12 at The Nile

Frost