Music and memories keep rockin’ at Surf’s Winter Dance Party

(Above) The Dance Contest is always a hit at Friday night’s Sock Hop. -Reporter Photo by Chris Barragy

by Marianne Gasaway

The music and fun raved on last week at the Surf Ballroom, as the Winter Dance Party brought thousands to Clear Lake to celebrate the roots of rock and roll.

For many, the event has become a tradition since 1979.  Others, like Clay Norris, the new executive director of the Iowa Rock ’n Roll Music Association, were experiencing the Surf and its celebration of the lives and music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P “The Big Bopper” Richardson, for the first time.

“I am in awe,” said Norris.  “Seeing the stage, and getting a chance to be in on it, was amazing.”

Joesph Pughley, from Chicago, was another first-timer.

“I knew about the Winter Dance Party since I was a child from my late grandfather.  I wanted to come for many years and now that I am here, I am full of excitement and flabbergasted.  I hope they keep the legacy, memory and singing going.”

There were several that were on the other end of the Surf experience spectrum, having been to most, if not all, Winter Dance Parties.

Dennis Farland, from Newton, Iowa has been coming to Clear Lake for years.  Friday night he was accompanied by his 20-year-old grand daughter, who has attended since she was three.  “The biggest reason we come is to see the friends we see one time a year.  Our common interest is music,” said Farland.

Terrell and Carol Geist, from Sioux Falls, S.D., have been coming here since 1992.  “We wouldn’t miss it— the music and the people,” they said.

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Dawn Janssen, from Des Moines, said this was her 40th consecutive year attending the Winter Dance Party.  “I knew the Hatter (Daryl Hensely, known as The Mad Hatter, founder of the event).  We had a blast and I am so glad they have kept the music going.  This year is great— you forget how many hits The Kingsmen had and Little Peggy March was fabulous Thursday night.”

David Allsup and his wife, Shirley, were attending the event in support of performer Austin Allsup, the son of the late Tommy Allsup who performed at the original Winter Dance Party.  Tommy was David’s uncle and they appreciate the Surf’s remembrance of the 1959 event and the dedication to keeping the memory of the performers alive.

Bill Olson recalls being at the Surf Feb. 2, 1959.  He was just a boy, but as a relative of then Surf Manager Carroll Anderson, he was privy to seeing the performers up close.

“I was in the office after the concert when Carroll paid them and then took them to get on the plane,” he recalled.  “The next morning I was milking cows with my dad and we heard about the crash on the radio.  My dad was a pilot and he said we had to finish up and drive to the field where the plane went down.”

Olson said he witnessed the bodies laying in the field, covered by blankets.

“Back then, the authorities weren’t sure what to do.  They called my dad’s cousin, Carroll, to identify the bodies,” recalled  Bill.  “I had seen Carroll give Buddy Holly six $100 bills and he put them in his front shirt pocket.”  Bill said Carroll advised them to check the pocket of one body.  Sure enough, the money was there and Holly was identified.  “Carroll told them the big guy was The Bopper,” the teen was Ritchie Valens and the other one was the pilot.”

Today, Bill volunteers at the Surf and says he is thankful for the museum aspect of the ballroom, good management and active Board of Directors.

Surf President Jeff Nicholas said planning will begin soon for the 2021 celebration.

“It’s like a reunion of friends here and after it is all over, we get inspired to plan the next,” Nicholas told hosts Mary Alexander and Nate Benzing on the ‘red carpet’ leading into Friday night’s sock hop.  “The entire community is supportive and we appreciate those who have shepherded the Surf through the years.  We think we are past the times of the Surf being in peril, thanks to massive support from the City of Clear Lake, the Chamber and so many others.  We look forward to continuing the legacy.”

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