2023 Winter Dance Party at the 75th anniversary of the Surf Ballroom

We venture to Clear Lake, IA on Feb 4, 2023 for the Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom and Museum. We stop at the crash site memorial for Ritchie Valens, JP "The Big Bopper" Richardson and Buddy Holly outside of town. RIP to those musicians whose talents we enjoy to this day. While the Feb. 3, 1959 crash has been termed "The Day the Music Died" (as made famous by the Don McLean's song "American Pie"), the families, friends and fans have kept the music alive with this fantastic tribute event.

The shoe- and outfit-watching was bar none as was watching dancers! We dusted off our dancing shoes for a few rockabilly numbers by Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, who headlined. This is a must-do for any fan of music and history; the event is three days of concerts, dance lessons, dance contests, mid century art and music exhibits, films, record show, tours of museum, crash site and more.

The bands performing Feb 4 were Austin Allsup, Gary U.S. Bonds, Kenny Vance and the Planotones, and the Slim Jim Phantom Trio featuring his wife and bassist Jennie Vee with special guests: OG bluesman Albert Lee, Chris Montez, OG Sun Record artist Hayden Thompson. We talk with Bill of Mogan's Heroes, whose Sioux Falls, SD band was invited to play that weekend at the Ritchie Valens Family Luncheon at the Holiday Inn.

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