"Three Stars" is a song written by Tommy Dee in 1959, as a tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), who died in an airplane crash earlier that year. The song was recorded by Tommy Dee with Carol Kay and first released on April 5, 1959 by Crest Records. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[1]
The lyrics suggested the three "stars" represent the three musicians that died in the crash.
"Three Stars" was covered by both Ruby Wright and Eddie Cochran. A year after Cochran recorded the song, he died in a car accident on his way to an airport. Although recorded in 1959, Cochran's version was not released until 1966 as a UK single.