Clear Lake, Iowa - Surf Ballroom

Address:
460 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake, IA
Directions:
In Clear Lake, just west of Interstate 35 in North Central Iowa.
Admission:
Free.
Phone:
641-357-6151

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Visitor Tips and News About Surf Ballroom

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Interior of the Surf Ballroom. Clear Lake, Iowa - Surf Ballroom - Buddy Holly's Last Gig

Looking for good directions and a good breakfast? Stop at Dad's Pump House on Main Street. It is a throwback, and all the locals are there. Ask for Dad and he will give great directions to the Crash Site.

In addition, the Surf Ballroom is still operating. Doobie Bros. played 5/17/2007. The place is open for free, self-guided tours. There are many autographed pictures of bands that performed, and every Feb 2nd they have a weekend sock hop to commemorate the sad event. [Greg, 05/29/2007]

[RA: Wonder if those folding metal chairs are originals?]

Monument at the Surf ballroom to plane crash victims. Clear Lake, Iowa - Surf Ballroom

The Surf Ballroom is the site of the last performance of rock legends Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper on Feb. 2, 1959. They were killed shortly after in a plane crash just outside Clear Lake. The Surf Ballroom has been maintained and restored to its 1959 appearance, with many features connected to Holly, such as the pay phone where he and Valens made their last calls. [Dan Churney, 05/25/2006]

[RA: A monument "in memory of Rock 'N Roll Legends" stands outside the Surf Ballroom. The memorial also lists the pilot killed -- Roger Peterson.]

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November 25, 2009

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