Kevin Across America | Buddy Holly's Death Has Kept This Building Alive | Exploring The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa 🎸 @KevinAcrossAmerica | Uploaded September 2023 | Updated October 2024, 2 hours ago.
I'm sure you've heard the classic rock song 'American Pie' by Don McLean?
"So, bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to The Levee, but The Levee was dry..."
The 1971 hit tune is based on a tragedy that happened following a concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson headlined the show, which took place on the evening of February 2, 1959.
The stop was part of a 24-day, 24-city tour across the Midwest. The tour bus was so cold and drafty that Buddy Holly's drummer caught a severe case of frostbite and had to drop off the tour.
In an attempt to get a decent night's rest, Buddy Holly chartered a flight from Clear Lake to Fargo, North Dakota. The flight cost around $380 per musician in today's money. Holly, Valens, and Richardson were all on board.
The single-propeller aircraft took off from the Mason City Municipal Airport shortly before 1 a.m. There was light snow, winds around 25 miles per hour, and worsening winter conditions. The plane crashed six miles north of the airfield, killing the three young musicians and the 21-year-old pilot.
Nowadays, the Surf Ballroom is as much a music venue as it is a history museum. The Surf is open year-round. Admission is free, though a $5 donation per person is suggested.
The Surf Ballroom website: surfballroom.com
I'm sure you've heard the classic rock song 'American Pie' by Don McLean?
"So, bye, bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to The Levee, but The Levee was dry..."
The 1971 hit tune is based on a tragedy that happened following a concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson headlined the show, which took place on the evening of February 2, 1959.
The stop was part of a 24-day, 24-city tour across the Midwest. The tour bus was so cold and drafty that Buddy Holly's drummer caught a severe case of frostbite and had to drop off the tour.
In an attempt to get a decent night's rest, Buddy Holly chartered a flight from Clear Lake to Fargo, North Dakota. The flight cost around $380 per musician in today's money. Holly, Valens, and Richardson were all on board.
The single-propeller aircraft took off from the Mason City Municipal Airport shortly before 1 a.m. There was light snow, winds around 25 miles per hour, and worsening winter conditions. The plane crashed six miles north of the airfield, killing the three young musicians and the 21-year-old pilot.
Nowadays, the Surf Ballroom is as much a music venue as it is a history museum. The Surf is open year-round. Admission is free, though a $5 donation per person is suggested.
The Surf Ballroom website: surfballroom.com
