Rock & Roll reunion

(Above) A dance contest was part of Friday’s Winter Dance Party fun.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

Crickets give final performance during Winter Dance Party

Another legendary chapter in rock and roll history was composed Saturday night at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.  The largest- ever reunion of Crickets band members was held as part of the annual Winter Dance Party. The Crickets then announced to the sellout crowd that Saturday night’s performance was their last -- the end of an era dating to 1957.

The Winter Dance Party is held every year at the Surf to celebrate the music and era of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.R. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, who died in a plane crash shortly after performing at the Surf.

The Crickets were formed in Lubbock, Texas, by Buddy Holly and J.I. Allison. Stand-up bassist Joe B Mauldin was recruited shortly after and Saturday night’s reunion was a tribute to him, commemorating his passing Feb. 7, 2015. Among performers was current Cricket Allison along with Albert Lee, Glenn D. Hardin, Tommy Allsup, Tonio K., Gordon Payne, Keith Allison and The Killer Vees.

The Crickets have appeared at the Surf numerous times, especially during The Winter Dance Party.  Jeff Nicholas, president of the Surf Ballroom board of directors, called Saturday night “one of the most magical nights at the Surf.”

“This was rock and roll history,” he said. “To have the Crickets play their final show at the Surf Ballroom leaves us with mixed emotions.  We were honored and happy to have been chosen as their last show, but it was sad to see the ending of an era.”

Allison called it a “fantastic night.”

“Rock and roll is here to stay,” he said. “We love the Surf Ballroom. The people of Iowa are too cool.” 

The Surf was packed all three nights of the Winter Dance Party, as well as Wednesday night when a Sock Hop is held to encourage families to come and enjoy the Surf’s Winter Dance Party atmosphere.

Local school children, who had their own “Rockin’ Kids Show” Friday at the Surf, gave optimism to longtime dance party supporters that the music will live on.

“I get such a kick out of seeing the young kids come here and really celebrate the music,” said Marcia Graven, from Mankato, Minn.  “It’s encouraging to see them carrying on the torch of the music and the history that lives here.”

Alan Clark said he was pleased and honored to return to the Surf for his 18th year. Friday afternoon he was on stage in the Surf Lounge reveling in the crowded dance floor.  Clark has worked under a variety of group names, including Alan Clark