The Surf Ballroom

   While touring in the 90's, we were pleased to play the Surf Ballroom, where Buddy Holly played his last gig. A truly historic place, in the annals of rock n roll. The fateful plane crash on the morning of Feb. 3, 1959, claimed the first rock n roll death victims, and still rings out in our history.

   Whenever I'm in Clear Lake, Iowa, I always make the sojourn out to the crash site. It is nothing more than a rural field. No big fanfare. You would miss it entirely, if you didn't know where it was located. I parked my car and walked about 500 yards up the property line, into this field, where there was a small memorial marker that had only been erected in the 90's. It consisted of 3, 45 rpm record shapes, with the names of Holly, Big Bopper and Valens. As do many musicians, I felt the need to leave a guitar pick. Something like leaving a rose. To make the visit even more personal, was the fact that we landed and departed from the same airport in Mason City, where their small plane took off from on that night back in 1959. It is only a short distance from the airport. They didn't stay airborne very long, a total of about 7 miles Northwest of the airport, according to the newspaper article in the local paper. Icing of the wings was the apparent cause of the crash. The 21 year old pilot, Roger Peterson, was also killed. He is often overlooked.

   At the Surf Ballroom, I wandered around looking at pictures on the wall. I found that this place has a long history, other than the Buddy Holly story. Many famous big bands played there in the old days. Names like Guy Lombardo and Paul Whiting. I even saw a picture of the Ozzie Nelson band, when Harriet was the singer in the band. Yes, she went on to marry Ozzie, as you well know. Something not known by everyone is that Ozzie Nelson was the one who found James Burton, of "Suzie Q" fame, and suggested to his son, Ricky, that James should be hired to be the guitar player in his band. He would appear on their television show and tour with Rick.

   The Surf Ballroom is a beautiful venue. It looks like it may have been a roller rink at one time, but I don't know that for sure. I say that because the dance floor appears to be sunken, just a tad from the rest of the room. It may be that the periphery is raised about 10", and there are booths around it that are done in a 50's motif, with green leatherette seats. A distinct mood to the place. If you have the chance, please visit or attend a show there. You won't be sorry.

    Like most other bands that have played there, we signed the wall in the dressing room. The phone booth, where Buddy made his last call to his wife, is still there, too. On a side note: The other guitar player in the Crickets was Tommy Allsup, a distant relative of mine, (no doubt) that I have yet to meet. I hope to someday. That night he gave up his seat on the plane to Ritchie Valens. Tommy said they didn't even know about the crash until they showed up at the hotel the next day, in Fargo, ND, when he asked to be placed in the room next to Buddy's. The desk clerk said, "Didn't you know? He was killed last night," or words to that affect.

   Waylon Jennings was the bass player in the band that last night in Iowa and for many years, would not go back there. He felt like it was his fault that their plane crashed that night, when he gave up his seat on the flight to J.P. Richardson (big bopper). Buddy had made a remark about, "I hope your ol' bus freezes up," to which Waylon replied, "Well, I hope your plane crashes." Of course, it wasn't his fault, but, he carried that with him for years. (thanks to Tom Wolf for his help and input on Waylon and Tommy)

   Regarding the movie, "The Buddy Holly Story", I loved it. Gary Myrick and I went to see it together, back in the late 70's. Gary Busey was brilliant, although I've heard that some of the original Cricket band members were a little upset, saying that it wasn't very factual.

   Below is the poster advertising the gig that night. Note that Dion and the Belmonts were also on the show, with Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), and Ritchie Valens. On a side note: The Crickets weren't playing with Buddy at the time, but they had already advertised that way.