So Bye Bye Miss American Pie .... Yes, the Surf Ballroom was the last place they played before the music died. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper (JP Richardson) may have died in a plane crash on February 2, 1952, but their spirits live on at The Surf.
If you are anywhere within 100 miles of this place, it is worth a visit. They have preserved the history, the spirit and the flavor of the era for folks like me who remember Buddy Holly, etc. and for new generations.
We had full access to explore the ballroom, including going in the green room and up on stage. There are so many mementos of not only that infamous night, but also of other great performers who graced the stage over the years. It was quite impressive as well as educational.
The Surf Ballroom is still a performance venue, but during the day it is open to the public (free admission) to explore and enjoy. I highly recommend a visit.
I cannot urge you enough if you love concerts----by all means---try to get to one at the Surf while it is still a part of our history. Â The surf is an old venue and the place Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens performed at before they died in a plane crash which lends itself to an essence of housing some greats throughout the years.....I had the thrill of seeing my absolute favorite female Miranda Lambert here before a lot of people knew who she was---I have been following her since the days of Nashville star and I saw she was performing on my birthday so of course I just bought those tickets for myself. Â It is first come first served. Â You get in line and get your ticket and they open the doors and you need to haul ass.....I am quite stealthy so I got right up front and could touch the stage which is were I stayed all night long.....It was marvelous....... The little town of Clear Lake is charming and quaint so if it is summer take your boat and cruise around the lake too.....You will love it!
Review Source:I really enjoy watching concerts here, especially when they get some of the legendary singers and bands from the 50's and 60's which they do quite often. At one time I came down here three years in a row for 50's in Febuary. This is an event they hold here every year in honor of Buddy Holly, who along with Ritchie Valens and JP Richardson (Big Bopper) performed here just before they died in a plane crash at a nearby cornfield back in 1959.
Well in my opinion there would be no Rock n Roll if not for Buddy Holly, he's one of the best musicians in history.I only stopped going because you now have to buy tickets for the entire weekend, and while Clear Lake is a nice place to be in the Summer, it is the coldest, windiest place in the middle of Winter, so I really can't see myself wanting to stay in this area for prolonged periods of time. I've beared the cold to see the wreck site which is about 5 miles from the ballroom, there is a plaque marking the spot. You have to walk a long ways in from the road so dress up or you might die there too.
Some 50 years ago and it is still considered one of Rock n Roll's biggest events, even called the day the music died. It's a cool place, all the history, the tons of photos and personalized autographs from famous people hanging on the walls. There also just aint many places you can dance while at a concert anymore, and there absolutely aren't many places from this era left. This is definetely the most famous old ballroom near the Twin Cities, it's not even as far as Duluth.
My only concern is that while I'm into it, at the shows I've wen't to here I don't think more than 25% of the people were of my age. I hope they got a plan for after all the old people that they currently focus on entertaining die. While I like chatting with seniors most of the time, you really gotta think of ways of marketing this great old tyme music to younger people. No I don't mean making a silly rap version of the songs like some people attempt to do. There are many amonst us who like Rock n Roll and just don't wan't it to feel like a nursing home karoeke contest. Â
Another thing is that while the concessions at the ballroom are dirt cheap, I'd be happy to pay extra for more variety and quality. After all it's a night out that  I'm sure only happens once or twice a year for most people. As it is now I think your best off eating at the Half Moon Restaraunt next door to the Surf before seeing a show, the steak there is really good.
Famous for being the site of the February 2 1959 last concert of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens before their ill-fated flight and crash in a field just outside of town.You can take a self-guided tour or they have a guided tour. Call ahead for hours of operation. The Ballroom still has concerts and has been restored
When in town ask for directions to the crash site AKA, "Where The Music Died".
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