It was the first real Rock And Roll Tragedy ...
Dubbed "the day the music died" in his song "American Pie," Don McLean launched a catch-phrase that his been associated with February 3rd, 1959, ever since.
Long-time Forgotten Hits Reader Jim
Nowoc made the annual pilgrimage to Cedar Lake, Iowa, to take part in this year’s
Tribute to Buddy Holly / Ritchie Valens / J.P. Richardson. (Nice guy that he is, Jim even invited me to
come along as his guest … but I wasn’t able to clear my schedule to do so … so
I made him promise to file a full report when he got back.)
And that he did.
Read on for a first-hand,
eye-witness account of this year’s big event.
(kk)
The
60th Anniversary of The Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. Richardson plane
crash is now in our rearview mirror. Once again the tragic event was
heralded by the amazing annual tribute that is The Winter Dance Party. Each
year the sold out event is attended by thousands of "BuddyHolics." The iconic Surf Ballroom , where the three
artists performed their final show, serves as the venue for the tribute.
The
event began in 1979. It was the brainchild of a Clear Lake, Iowa, DeeJay named Darryl
Hensley, aka The Mad Hatter. One
day while he was on the air he fantasized that he entered a "Time
Warp" in his studio. He playfully announced that Buddy Holly had entered
the studio. During the "conversation" with the rock & roll
legend, Buddy suggested the notion that a memorial concert should be held
at the Surf on the 20th anniversary of his death.
The
event’s beginning were challenging … but with legendary DJ Wolfman Jack helping
and agreeing to MC, a lineup was put together. The “One Night Only” affair
performers included The White Sidewalls,, The Drifters, Jimmy Clanton, Del
Shannon and original Cricket, Nikki Sullivan.
The
"Tribute to Buddy Holly Concert" took place on February 3rd, 1979.
The inaugural event lost $4000 dollars.
Through
the years the event continued to grow until it evolved into the sell out four-day
tribute enjoyed today.
The
event began with the traditional Wednesday night family Sock Hop. Performing as
they did in 1979 were the White sidewalls.
Thursday
evening began with a set by the Chicago band Good Clean Fun. After their
performance, they served as back-up for Robin Luke, Hall of Fame inductees
Little Anthony & the Imperials and Jay and the
Americans.
Robin
Luke probably represents the second wave of early rock and rollers. This
Rock-A-Billy Hall of Famer provided a nostalgic performance covering songs by
Buddy, Ritchie, Ricky Nelson and the Everly Brothers. He concluded his performance with his biggest
hit, "Susie Darlin." Robin was
probably the only artist on the venue who toured with Buddy and Ritchie.
The
overflow crowd never left the jam packed dance floor during Little Anthony’s
performance. Slow dancing ruled as they enjoyed the likes of "Tears On My
Pillow," "Hurt So Bad," "Going Out Of My Head" and
"Take Me Back." Performing
most of their catalogue, we were also treated to covers of the Temptations and
even Prince.
It's
hard to imagine that this version of Jay and the Americans has been together for
nearly 15 years already. For some in the assembly, it was their first
opportunity to see and hear Chicago’s own Jay Reincke. Jay was greeted with huge ovations after
performing "Cryin'" and "Some Enchanted Evening" and “Cara
Mia" was followed by a rousing round of applause. The group performed with Founder Howie Kane,
original member Marty Sanders but without Founder Sandy Yaguda aka Deane, who
was home recovering from surgery.
Friday
began with the Surf Ballroom's Rockin' Kids Show, geared to Li'l Rock and
Rollers aged K-3rd grade.
It
was followed by the sold out 29th annual British Buddy Holly Society
Luncheon. The luncheon serves as a reunion for long time WDP attendees. Fans
from as far away as England get to reconnect with old friends from California,
Oklahoma, Colorado and throughout the entire Midwest. The afternoon of food,
fun and frolic included a surprise appearance by the Zmed Brothers performing
their "Everly Brothers Experience." The afternoon included an unforgettable Rock performance
by Britain’s own "BALDY HOLLY."
If you've not seen him, check him out on
You-Tube.
The
Friday night show was dubbed "A Night of Rock & Roll Royalty." It began with a tribute to Ritchie Valens
performed by sisters Connie, Lori-Anne and brother Mario.
Continuing,
two time Grammy Award Winning Guitarist Albert Lee performed with Edan Everly
and Frank Avalon as they performed a tribute to the Everly Brothers and Frankie
Avalon.
Austin
Allsup performed and feted his father, Tommy. Tommy was Buddy Holly's guitar
player and is yet another member of the Rock-A-Billy Hall Of Fame. A gifted session player, he is remembered for
participating in the infamous coin toss with Ritchie Valens to determine who
would fly and who would not.
Other
tributes were extended to Eddie Cochran by his Rock-A-Billy Hall Of Fame nephew,
Bobby. Wendy and Carnie Wilson honored their father Brian with their
performance.
The
Killer Vees, Bobby’s two sons and nephew, celebrated the timeless classics that
Bobby Vee had recorded and performed.
It's been nearly
60 years since Del Shannon's signature song "Runaway " was recorded ... and since then,
the song has been covered by over 200 artists.
James Popenhagen, Grandson of Del's guitar player Bob, took to the Surf
Ballroom stage to honor Del with his own tribute to Shannon.
Finally,
show stopper Linda Gail Lewis, the original Hard Rockin' Woman, did not
disappoint when she included a lengthy tribute to her brother, Jerry Lee. Linda
Gail is yet another Rock-A-Billy Hall of Famer that graced the stage this
evening.
The
Holy Rocka Rollaz kicked off what would prove to be an unforgettable evening of
60's Rock and Roll commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Buddy
Holly, Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper plane crash.
Sixty
years later, this memorial tribute remarkably demonstrates that Don McLean got
it all wrong suggesting it was the day "The Music Died". More like
Rock and Roll is here to Stay.
The
evening continued with a Who's Who of 60's Rock.
Johnny
Tillotson, spanning the Rock, Country, and Easy Listening charts for over 25
years, performing classics like "Poetry In Motion"," It Keeps
Right On A-Hurtin'" and Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On" began a
cavalcade of performances.
Bryan
Hyland had his first hit as a 16 years old when his novelty record "Itsy
Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" climbed the charts. Other songs
he sang to the enjoyment of the audience were "Ginny Come Lately" and
“Sealed With A Kiss". His set concluded with the critically acclaimed
Impressions remake of "Gypsy Woman."
He collaborated with Del Shannon on the tune and watched it climb to an
impressive #3.
Chris
Montez is quick to attribute his passion for music to Ritchie Valens. He
reveres Ritchie as the Hispanic Pioneer that proved inspirational to him and
others like Trini Lopez and Los Lobos. He
treated us with his classic renditions of "Call Me," "The More I
See You" and the Valens-inspired "Let's Dance" … and continued
with his tribute to Ritchie by singing his version of "La Bamba."
From
the distaff side, we enjoyed performances by the Chiffons and Shirley Alston
Reeves. With Judy Craig still on lead,
we were entertained by the group reprising their trademark tight harmonies with
"He's So Fine," “Sweet Talkin' Guy" and the Carole King - Gerry
Goffin written "One Fine Day."
Another
Goffin - King penned mega-hit highlighted the Alston Reeves performance.
"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" was the center piece of such
Shirelles’ hits like "Mama Said," "Soldier Boy," "Dedicated
To the One I Love," "Foolish Little Girl," "Baby It's
You" and the bluesy remake of the Doris Day hit, "Everybody Loves A Lover." All in all, a catalog that reflects their
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame status.
The
event concluded with a typical high energy, rollicking performance from the
King of the Twist himself, Ernest Evans, aka Chubby Checker. With Chubby
reprising his closet full of dance tunes … "The Twist," "The
Huckelbuck," "The Pony," "Slow Twistin'," "Let's
Twist Again," et al. Filled with loads of audience participation, Chubby
proved to be the ideal finale to the four day extravaganza.
A
sad commentary that accompanies an event that began with a tragedy that
occurred 60 years ago is the attrition that has resulted in not only the loss
of so many of our favorite artists but the loss of so many of our friends and
other attendees of The Winter Dance Party.
This
year is no exception as we mourn the loss of Peggy Sue Gerron and Bob Morales. Peggy Sue, as Crickets Jerry Allison's girlfriend,
she became THE PEGGY SUE of love ballad fame. Bob
Morales was Ritchie Valens’ older Step-Brother. Bob was portrayed as the
antagonist in the bio-film La Bamba. Bob transitioned
the hardened, rambunctious "La Bamba" persona into a gentleman that possessed
a gentle, soft spoken, kind and generous, heart of gold. Bob was an icon in his
own right.
See
you next year. Until then, RAVE ON!
Jim
Nowoc
Here’s
a one hour video showing some of the highlights of the four day event …
