Surf Ballroom
July 15, 2001
The past few days we have been visiting web sites that featured tributes to three rock and roll stars whose careers were tragically cut short by an airplane accident. That accident, which has come to be known as the day the music died, followed a concert in a small Iowa town. Today's FamSite visits the site of that concert, courtesy of cyberspace.
The site is called Surf Ballroom, and it is the official site of the venue where Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson gave their last show. At this site you can take a photo tour of the ballroom (which is still open and doing quite well), as well as learning about the history of the venue. Since its opening in 1933, it has seen just about every kind of music performed there, from rock to blues, from country to jazz, it has been heard there. One interesting feature is the pictures of the wall where all celebrities who have appeared there sign. You can see the autographs of Maria Elena Holly and the Valens family.
This is a wonderful site for a true piece of American history. It brings back memories of what growing up for our parents and grandparents was like. Enjoy your visit here today, and be sure to share this site with a friend.
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VH-1 Behind the Music: The Day the Music Died
If you enjoy the topic of today's site, you may enjoy this resource from Amazon.com! |
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I came across this web site in the process of writing an article for MIDWEST TODAY Magazine (out of Iowa) on the Surf, and on the Feb2 1959 events. Grand site this is. And one of the hooks in the article is the "family" orientation of the Surf. This site is an excellent tribute! Thanks for the good memories.
Bob Hale (Winter Dance Party 1959 emcee)