Photos from "50s IN FEBRUARY"
at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa

Thursday, February 5 through Saturday, February 7, 2004

Photos by John Lindquist.

Click on the letter/number
combination for full view
in separate window.

For Matt Lincoln's page of
digital photos of this event,
click here.

Thursday Morning at the Crash Site:

A1-A2: Whatever the basic theme of the yearly weekend gathering, many make the time to check out the area's main historical site, the spot where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper and pilot Roger Peterson were killed when their plane crashed on February 3, 1959 at 1:00 A.M. This spot is actually visited many times throughout the year. Always left are flowers and various momentos that carry some special meaning.

Thursday afternoon at the Clear Lake Middle School:

B1-B4: Here are some photos of the Winter School Dance Party concert at E.B. Stillman Auditorium. This hour-long concert is held every year to fund the Winter Dance Party Scholarships and Awards Program which helps students who intend to pursue careers in music. The featured performers this year were Donnie Briggs and his band. In B2, Donnie is singing lead; rock and roll archivist Alan Clark is in blue shirt. Thirteen-year-old Richie Lee (in B4) from Des Moines was especially popular with the students.

Thursday evening:

C1: A snowy view from just outside of the lounge at the Surf Ballroom.

C2: Elvis and Marilyn have been attending for quite a few years now.

D1-D2: G.T.O. from Des Moines.

E1-E7: Robby Vee (son of Bobby Vee) and his new band which includes Andy Dee (in E3) and Ar Stevens (E4). Richie Lee made a special guest appearance (E5).

F1-F6: The Big Bopper's Rock & Roll Revue featured John Mueller and also Ray Anthony (F5) and J. P. Richardson, Jr. (F6).

Friday afternoon:

G1: The Sock Hop in the main auditorium winds down as folks drift over to the lounge.

G2-G4: In the lounge were the Vibro-Champs, and the hours just flew by.

Friday evening:

H1: The Mad Hatter returns to host the evening's show. Here he talks with Surf Ballroom manager Kevin Schoneman.

H2: Steve Brown of the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association makes a special presentation.

I1-I12: The Vandells from Ohio, excelling in music, athletics and comedy.

J1-J2: The Vibro-Champs perform a short set before backing up Narvel Felts.

J3-J6: The amazingly gifted Narvel Felts.

K1-K2: Joey Dee and the Starliters. From left to right in K2: David Brigati, Bobby Valli and Joey Dee. Brigati was an original Starliter; Valli is brother of Frankie Valli.

Saturday afternoon:

L1: Scott Keeton and band perform in the lounge.

Saturday evening:

M1-M2: Emcee Mad Hatter.

N1-N7: Mickey and the Memories from Chicago.

O1-O3: Jack Scott.

P1-P2: The Diamonds.

Q1-Q10: Jason D. Williams.

• Go to John L's Surf Ballroom Tribute
  and Winter Dance Party site which
  covers 1979-2002.
  
• The Celebration/Reunion Continues:
  Go to 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.

Page last modified on 5/3/04 at 4:15 PM, CDT.

I am emailable at jlindquist001 @ gmail.com .

John Lindquist: homepage, complete site outline.
Department of Bacteriology, U.W.-Madison