25
dance partymore than just a
Growing up I have fond memories of my parents playing their old
records on a record machine and dancing to their favorite tunes. My
mom would tell me about how she’d run home after school to
watch American Bandstand. She definitely passed down her love
for music to me. My taste in music may be different, but the love
and appreciation for it is the same.
One of the records I played more than the others when I was little
was Ritchie Valens single that had La Bamba on one side of the
record and Donna on the other side. I knew that he had died in a
plane crash before I was born and that there was a movie called La
Bamba about him.
Fast forward to 2013 when I officially moved to North Iowa. I asked
around for must see’s in north Iowa and was told that the Surf
Ballroom should be at the top of my list. They talked about the rich
history and even visiting the Buddy Holly Crash Site. I didn’t really
know much about Buddy Holly. After visiting the Surf for the first
time I put together what you probably already know - both Buddy
Holly and Ritchie Valens were involved in a tragic accident that
changed rock and roll.
I had the opportunity to sit down with two of Ritchie’s sisters, Irma
and Connie. They just beamed when they shared the stories of
their older brother with me. Ritchie had written most of his own
music, had several hits, and quite the female following all at 17 years
old. They talked about Suzie behind My Little Suzie, how La Bamba
affected their family, their mother’s death, and how much they love
their family at the Surf Ballroom.
Connie explained that coming to the Surf is always bittersweet for
way to describe it better. As sweet as all the people are and our
fellowship here with them, we are all gathering together for the
same, common purpose.”
my sister. We were standing there when a recording says, ‘Hi! I’m
Richie Valens. Welcome to The Surf’ It was the saddest day. They
were trying to make us happy, but instead they made us cry. So we
hugged each other and left because that was my brother’s voice
saying that.”
have continued to come and the people just got better and better.
They treat us like queens. We became family. We’re all like sisters
and brothers.”
Family would be the best way to describe what I saw. As I sat and
talked with the sisters several others passed through the room
saying hello to them, hugging them, and doing the same with their
family that was present. It was genuine. These were people who
cared about each other and enjoyed each others company.
I asked if there was anything they felt people got wrong about
Ritchie or if there was anything they thought we should know about
him. Their first answer brought a laugh, but they want people to
know that Lou Diamond was an actor playing a part and not Ritchie
Valens. They also want to honor and remember all that Ritchie
accomplished. People weren’t just at the Surf to see Buddy Holly
who had a much longer career than Valens. Ritchie was on the top
of the charts and they would go as far as saying he was the more
popular act at the Winter Dance Party.
The family describes the Winter Dance Party as heartwarming. They
love that people take time to come in their elaborate costumes and
was because it was a time of innocence, it was a time of purity, it
was a time when people were polite.”
one you want to come to.”
by Donna Hup, donnahup.com
#myclearlake
road trip to honor Buddy Holly, an icon who
will not fade away. Rave On!
- @therealjencarter
Normally moving to a new community and
school system right before your junior year in
high school would be difficult, however in my
case it turned out to be the best thing for me.
After moving to Clear Lake and graduating from
CLHS (1974) and Central College (1978), I returned
to Clear Lake and have been a banker here ever
since. This community has been a great place to
- Tim Esbeck
When I moved here to begin a family, I wasn’t
options for my kids. Since then, I have watched my
kids create their own options. I have discovered a
community built around famkly and generosity.
I’m so proud to call Clear Lake my home.
- Amy Wagler