50 Winters Later Concert Set for Clear Lake, Iowa

We're quickly coming up on the fiftieth anniversary of what is called "The Day the Music Died," the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. While not an event for celebration, it is one that is traditionally recognized as a turning point in rock music history.

On February 2, 1959, the three stars played their last show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. Later, they boarded a plane for North Dakota which crashed shortly after takeoff.

That same Surf Ballroom and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have joined together to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Winter Dance Party with a week long series of events starting on Wednesday, January 28 and ending with a major tribute concert on Monday, February 2. During the week, there will be educational programs, symposiums and a record and memorabilia show, but the real events happen in the evening with nightly concerts from some early pioneers of rock music.

"50 Winters Later is about the music and the legacy of Buddy, Ritchie and The Bopper. The artists who will participate in the week's events will pay homage to these three stars who influenced music so deeply that musicians and songwriters continue to this day to be inspired and attribute aspects of their musical careers to them. It's going to be an extraordinary show - to be in the Surf where these pioneers played live decades ago is magical in itself," stated Shane Cooney, entertainment director for the Surf Ballroom.

"For one week we will focus on the extraordinary lives and legacies of three men who forever left their mark on rock and roll history and American society," said Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. "It will be a poignant and memorable experience honoring this pivotal watershed cultural event."

Here are the lineups for each of the shows:

Wednesday, January 28 (Sock Hop)

Jason D. Williams
The Original Founding Members of the Whitesidewalls

Thursday, January 29

The Comets
Johnny Tillotson
The Tymes
Dodie Stevens
Tommy Allsup & Johnny Rodgers
David Sommerville of the Diamonds (Host)

Friday, January 30

John Mueller, Ray Anthony & the Bopper, Jr.
Sting Ray & the Killer Vees

Saturday, January 31

Bobby Vee
The Crickets
Johnny Preston
Chris Montez

Monday, February 2

Tommy Allsup
Big Bopper, Jr.
The Crickets
Pat Dinnizio of the Smithereens
Joe Ely
Wanda Jackson
Los Lobos
Los Lonely Boys
Cousin Brucie Morrow
Graham Nash
Peter & Gordon
Sir Tim Rice
Bobby Vee

SOURCE: http://winkscollectibles.blogspot.com