Surf Ballroom Clear Lake Iowa 9 5 2020

 We FINALLY made it to the

legendary Surf Ballroom, the site of the last performance of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper.

Check out the video above, which I posted to youtube.

We visited the Surf Ballroom on our way to South Dakota.  We allowed a couple of hours to visit the venue and the crash site, but we ended up spending a LOT more time in Clear Lake Iowa.  This place is special.

Check out my other links for a video at the crash site.  Also, check out my review on the book, "The Day the Music Died" by Larry Lehmer.  Lehmer's book is a good starting point if you are unfamiliar with the very tragic plane crash.

I think this is one of those things that is just in our collective conscience though.  I grew up in the 80s and knew about this event.  Don McLean's song about that night really keeps

that emotion alive.  You could listen to that song and have no knowledge of what happened...  and you could still feel the extreme sadness it sparks.

AND, reading Lehmers book gives you that same emotion.  The stars were on a miserable tour.  It was a very cold January/February in a very cold area.  The heat on the bus was faulty.  The tour busses would break down.  Many were sick with colds.

Even these rock stars had not really had time to enjoy the wealth of their

celebrity (they were young and the REAL money they had earned had not really filtered down to them yet).

I could go on and on.  BUT, they spent their last night alive performing at this venue.

The Surf Ballroom is the spot for that moment in time.

The venue is so perfect too, and they have preserved it to look like it is 1959.  It really reminded me of a set that might have been used on "Happy Days."

There are still concerts here, with an impressive list of performers.  There are bragging rights to playing here for sure.

AND, even though the Surf is a monument to that sad moment...... it is a bright and lively place.

The guy in the gift shop said he volunteered, and he was just happy to be a part of it.  They have a museum type area.... with relics from that night, but also with signed photos and instruments of performers who have played there more recently.  The Surf Ballroom continues on as a very lively spot for rock-n-roll pilgrims.  Make sure you catch it on an upcoming road trip!