Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, we were the rock and roll generation. And for that generation, February 3, 1959 was a black day in music history. It became known in later years as “the day the music died”. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and “The Big Bopper” J.P. Richardson along with pilot Roger Peterson were killed in a plane crash near Clear lake, Iowa.
So here we were in Forest City, IA, not far from Clear Lake and of course we had to visit the memorial where the plane went down. Then when we were at the memorial, another couple told us to visit the Surf Ballroom. Our music history is not always great and we did not know the Surf Ballroom. It was where the three performed their last live concert before boarding a plane.
The memorial is in the country on a rural road. There is no parking lot, no sign, only two columns with a large pair of Buddy Holly glasses. We parked on the side of the road along with another car and proceeded through the columns. The memorial is less than a half mile down a path, private property, between fields and we wondered if we were ever going to arrive. The path opens up and the memorial is constructed of metal and impressive. Not in size necessarily but in tribute. On one side is a guitar with all three names and next to it are three records – Peggy Sue, Chantilly Lace and Donna. To the other side is a pair of wings with Roger Peterson’s name. The site is littered with glasses, flowers, coins and other items paying tribute to the four.
Going to the Surf Ballroom was so different from the memorial. Where the memorial was not easy to locate, the Surf Ballroom has directional road signs. Of course, the Surf Ballroom is still in operation. It is a museum as well as a live music venue. The walls are lined with musical instruments, posters promoting shows and information about the various performers. The ballroom doesn’t look like it has changed much – large dance floor, booths in a horseshoe around the dance floor and a few tables on the dance floor. There is a large bandstand/stage at one end. It is easy to imagine the varied performers playing and people enjoying dancing on the dance floor.
Walking out the Surf Ballroom, we could only imagine the young people leaving the night of Feb 2, 1959, talking about the music and how much fun they had. Then only to wake up to the news of the plane crash. It must have been devastating and yes, it was for those young people, the night the music died.
Note: The original Surf Ballroom opened April 17, 1934. It destroyed by fire April 20, 1947. The current Surf Ballroom was rebuilt across the street and opened July 1, 1948.
Surf Ballroom:
