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Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
One of the biggest 1950’s and ’60’s rock n’ roll line ups in modern history will take place at the end of the month for the Buddy Holly Tribute weekend. The Surf Ballroom has been doing tribute concerts since 1978 and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that took the lives of some of rock n’ rolls most promising young stars. The Surf Ballroom is still going strong all these years later.
We (Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs) were honored to be a part of the activities and will play on the show Friday night. I’m humbled just to be a part of this historic event and in the company of so many artists that I listened to as a kid. Being a part of this event is almost as good as a 10 second pass in the new 1967 Z28 D/ Stock race car! Very close! Don’t know if anyone from this site is attending. If you are, look me up. We will be staying at the Best Western in Clear Lake, Iowa. Wednesday Jan 29th through Feb 3rd. The special guest star rumors are all over the map. P. McCartney and Ringo Starr are and have always been big Buddy Holly fans and there is a real possibility that they will be here. There is also Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Springsteen, and a possible reunion of Dion & The Belmonts. In any event, this rock n’ roll extravaganza promises to be magical to say the least. Serius-XM Radio will be there in full force along with plenty of local TV coverage and many FM oldies radio stations from all over the county. Rock On, Jerry The Buddy Holly Winter Dance Party Tribute Week, January 2009. Special 50th Anniversary Celebration to commemorate the music of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. EVENING CONCERT: Wed Night, Jan 28, 2009 Doors Open: 6:30pm Arists Scheduled to Appear: Jason D. Williams The Original Founding Members of the Whitesidewalls Location: Surf Ballroom EVENING CONCERT: Thursday Night, Jan 29, 2009 Doors Open: 6:30pm Artists Scheduled to Appear: Bill Haley’s Original Comets Johnny Tillotson The Tymes Dodie Stevens Tommy Allsup & Johnny Rogers (and special guests TBA) Hosted by Diamonds 'Original Lead Singer' David Somerville Location: Surf Ballroom Tickets: SOLD OUT CONCERT:, Friday Night, Jan 30, 2009 Doors Open: 6:30pm Artists Scheduled to Appear: The Winter Dance Party featuring Costume and Dance Contest, John Mueller, Ray Anthony, J.P. Richardson, Jr. and the MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY Featuring The Killer Vees w/ special surprise guests, Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs Location: Surf Ballroom Tickets: SOLD OUT CONCERT:, Saturday Night, January 31, 2009 Doors Open: 6:30pm Artists Scheduled to Appear: Bobby Vee Buddy Holly’s Original Crickets Johnny Preston Chris Montez and Special Guests - TBA Location: Surf Ballroom Tickets: SOLD OUT CONCERT: Monday Night, February 2, 2009, 50 Winters Later Commemorative Concert Artists Scheduled to Appear: Tommy Allsup (Buddy Holly’s original lead guitar player on the last tour) The Big Bopper JR The Original Crickets Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens Joe Ely Wanda Jackson Los Lobos Los Lonely Boys Legendary DJ, Cousin Brucie Morrow from Radio Station 77-WABC Graham Nash Peter & Gordon Sir Tim Rice Bobby Vee and special guests TBA Doors Open: 6:00pm Concert: 7:00pm Location: Surf Ballroom Tickets: $85 Also, a possible reunion of Dion & The Belmonts who played the Winter Dance Party Tour in 1959! |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Jerry, that is way too cool! And here in his hometown, we cannot even use his name without getting sued by Maria Elena. Break a leg and get lots of autographs. Tex T.
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Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
My wife and me went out to Clear Lake with Jerry his wife Joy 3 years ago. We had a blast! I couldn't beleive how many BH fans were attending from overseas. I got to talk to Jerry Dwyer owner of the plane that Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens died in. This is the 50th anniversary of the day the music died.
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Just found out that more acts are planned for the Monday night show.
Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Just found out that there are some tickets available for anyone who lives in the area. Call the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA. or more information.
Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Hoping there are no weather issues getting all of the acts in for the B. Holly Tribute week. Shows start tonight. Right now, it's clear and sunny n Des Moines and I'm drivng up later today.
Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Sounds like the show of a lifetime to see. Have a blast!
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Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Made it to Clear Lake, IA about an hour ago. The damn Chrysler van that I rented took a dump on I-35 north and wouldn't go over 50 mph. What a POS. I always use Enterprise when I travel but there were no GM products in Des Moines when I arrived. Usually they have plenty of Impalas, that's my favorite.
12 degrees here. Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
There is an article in our local paper today about the show. Make sure and walk to the memorial. Should be a fun hike in those temps!
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Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Wed night concert packed, well over 3000 people in the place. Wall to wall people.
There has been a McCartney sighting yesterday. 16 degrees here now. Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
This shows my age a little.
I had heard of Buddy, Richie, and the Big Bopper and of the plane going down, but never paid attention to where it happened. Just out of college, I went to work in a little town about an hour south of Clear Lake. One weekend, I hopped in my truck and I was touring the country side and went driving through Clear Lake and then went a little farther in the town and found the Surf. I thought to myself, "Man, that looks like a cool place." I guess it was about 3 months later, I was watching something on A&E (probably Biography) and I got cold chills down my spine. Long live the music those 3 put out.... true early rock'n'roll!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Bands doing sound checks at the Surf today. Met Sir Tim Rice. He and Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote most of the music for many shows on Broadway. Nice guy.
Bobby Vee was in doing checks, Dodie Stevens, Johnny Tillotson, Bill Haley's original Comets and more. Johnny Cash's tour bus is parked out on front of the Surf along with a 1958 restored Ford police car. Looks like somthing that Barney Fife would have drove on the Andy Griffith show. Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Thursday Night, nine degrees here before the concert. People here from 47 states and seven countries. The Surf was packed last night. Lots of media here from all over the country and a lot of classic cars out on the parking lot believe it or not.
Can't deal with the temps out here and the wind. Buddy Holly's widow is here for the event. Also met Ritchie Valens' sister and family. Dick Richards, 85 years old from Haley's Comets did an amazing drum solo last night that would have got Buddy Rich's attention. We play on the big show, Saturday night.......second out. Going up to Minn on Sunday to look at a car. That is my only day off here. Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
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Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Hell, 9 degrees is a heat wave this year in IA. Is Iowa public broadcasting taping the event? I could see them doing a segment on it. Rave on. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
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Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Ken,
Media here from all over the country. There is talk of a documentary being made at this event. Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Don't think I'll need those coveralls Ken. Was a wopping 20 degrees when we drove home from the Surf last night. I think it's going up to 30 degrees today? Can that be?
Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
It's IA. Give it 5 minutes and it'll change.
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So, did you get out to the memorial yet?
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Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Too muddy.
Jerry Dwyer, the gentleman who owned the flying service is still alive and attends all of the fuctions here. Dwyer is the first one who found the plane on the morning of Feb 3rd. He has stated many times that the fence lines were changed in the 1960s and the actual marked crash site is not correct. Something about the fields had fence lines every 1/4 mile and now they're extended. Ken you would know better about this stuff? jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Tonight's Saturday night concert will be broadcast live on XM-Serius radio starting at 8:00PM, EST.
Jerry |
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I'll post some photos here from the Buddy Holly Week. Here is one outside the Surf Ballroom with some cool cars out front.
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View from the stage on the drum kit looking into the audience. On the left is Bob Hale. He was the original MC of the Winter Dance Party show in 1959! That's Cousin Bruce Morrow from Serius XM radio on the right. I knew Cousin Brucie from 77 WABC back in the 1960s and grew up with his show. He is a legend up in NY.
Jerry |
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Shot of the stage,
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Side view of the crowd, pushing the fire code I'm sure. Close to 4000 people packed in this place.
Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
Thanks for sharing the pics! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif
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Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
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Sat night show. From left to right, Brian Hyland, Bobby Vee, Johnny Preston and Chris Montez all on stage performing at the same time.
B. Vee received a special award from the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame on Sat night. Acknowledged as one of the biggest selling recording artist of the 1960s. Jerry |
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Here is a good one. While having a back stage pass, I was able to get good shots of all the stars on the Sat night show.
Here is Maria Elena Holly (Buddy's widow). She's 76. The other is Gordon Waller of Peter & Gordon. He is only 63. I was shocked when I saw him that night. They did sound great when they hit the stage but he does not look like he's long for this world. Peter Asher became a very successful mega recording producer and did people like Linda Ronstat and others during the 1970s. Has lived in CA for the past 35 years. We shared a motorhome lounge with them. Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
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David Sommerville left, lead singer of The Diamonds, Little Darlin' their biggest hit, 76 years old. And Sir Tim Rice, the big Broadway Show writer.
Sommerville was great and still sings his songs in the original key! Jerry |
Re: Buddy Holly, A Really Big Tribute Show Planned!
[ QUOTE ]
Too muddy. Jerry Dwyer, the gentleman who owned the flying service is still alive and attends all of the fuctions here. Dwyer is the first one who found the plane on the morning of Feb 3rd. He has stated many times that the fence lines were changed in the 1960s and the actual marked crash site is not correct. Something about the fields had fence lines every 1/4 mile and now they're extended. Ken you would know better about this stuff? jerry [/ QUOTE ] That's when most farms were 160 acres. Now a small operation is 2-3k with a lot fewer fences. While there are those who say that was when the music died, perhaps it did for some. But the music evolved into Elvis, who also brought a lot of black influence into rock.Some like Johnny Cash moved more country, away from the Holley style rock. Even John Milner said "it just aint the same since Buddy Holley died". But we all embraced folks like Wolfman Jack right up through the British invasion. Long live rock and roll. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif |
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