As a teenager who loves 50s aesthetics and music, it makes me so happy that there's still places like this that keep the memories alive. I was here at the beginning of September and it was a great experience.
Even though I'm more into 70s/80s music, I feel the same way. I hate how gentrification destroys cool old buildings that really had charm and character
I love that they kept the same look of the ballroom. It’s still a 50’s vibe I love the ballroom. My dad remembers hearing on the radio when they announced the plane crash. I’m in my 40’s and listen to 50’s music. Love the video
Unreal. What an amazing homage to Rock n' Roll--a living museum of sorts. The place could have easily been razed decades ago to make way for a highway, shopping mall or apartment complex--and yet there it is, not only still standing but in virtually pristine, original condition--and still operating in its original capacity as a concert venue. Thanks for posting this..!
I wish more buildings from that era had been cared for like that. I remember when I was little (born in 68) going into older buildings and loving the architecture and the furnishings. My Dad has been a fan of Buddy Holly since he was just a little boy in the 50s and he introduced me to that great music. It brings me so much comfort and happiness. Buddy lives on through his music.
Yes tell that to my former home city which has torn down almost every landmark around. Now they're going after older homes that sit on a sizable piece of land. It's nothing but greed. They are being torn down so they cam be replaced by two or even three houses on the same lot. Since most of my relatives have died I don;t go back there anymore. Since then I've been many smaller towns and cities that preserve and not destroy their history.
Although it's literally been said countless upon countless times over, still and yet, what a breathtakingly, stunningly marvelous, marvelous, magical, legendary, iconic piece of rock n roll history here. Absolutely unbelievable that so much tireless love and dedication has been put forth throughout the many, many decades to maintain it's historical provenance and values. Certainly by all means one of those "If only the walls could talk, what rich stories they would have to tell" places. Thanks a million for sharing this cool walk down memory lane.
Oh my if only those rooms and walls could talk 👄!! So glad this piece of history has been preserved !! Thank-you Chris for showing us this awesome place of history 😀
My Uncle Bronson back in Lubbock Texas was good friends with Buddy Holley as they were class mates back in High School. They both would die in plane crash as my Uncle crashed twice but only survive once. I was at my Grandmother's home in Lubbock when we got the call over the phone and it was a very terrible night with that news of my Uncle's Fatal crash. He was a really smart Texan a photographer a chemist a Army Texas Air Patrol Army Veteran. Even though I was young at that time I still recall that night of the crash. Peggy Sue was also a Classmate to my Parents back in High School one of Buddy's famous songs of many.
I think of poodle skirts, saddle shoes and argyle sweaters 🥰 Thank you Chris! You can almost see the booths full and girls at the stage...and yes I love that entryway too. Comforting
In 1986 I flew into Clear Lake to visit the Terratorn ultralite factory. We were a distributor in Idaho so I wanted to see where the parts were made. I arrived their Feb 1st and stayed a couple of days. I knew a little about the 3 rock stars but never made the connection until the night I was ready to leave from the airport to fly to the Minneappolis StPaul airport. Someone "said enjoy your flight because this was the anniversary of the famous crash". So I boarded a smaller commuter twin engine Beech by the way which is what they died in, a Beech Bonanza. The pilot said it would be a bumpy ride because snow storms were passing thru the area to the north all the way to my destination. I was concerned about the date coincidence but really got alarmed when the copilot right after take off north of the town took his flashlight out to check the ice build up on the leading edges of the wings. They hit the deicer boots which you could see the ice chucks flowing past the wings. I was a commercial pilot myself in aerial application and flew for 52 years and that was the most frightening experience I ever had in any airplane. Never was glad to get on the ground ever. Flying in IFR conditions in icing in the middle of winter was not my cup of tea. Sorry for the rant but had to share.
At 13:48 on the wall is the name "Dickey Betts', an original member of the Allman Brothers and a fierce guitar player. Paying respect. How fun would it be to go to a concert at that venue. Mid-century modern vibes all over.
Dickey is the man. I had the privilege of seeing him perform live with Great Southern 1/2 dozen times from 2006-2014 in small venues in NY, NJ & PA. Also got to see him a few times with The Bros. in the early to mid 90’s. He is an amazing guitarist, songwriter & musician!
I could only picture Buddy calling Maria Helena at that phone booth, saying that he adored her, in probably the last phone call of his life. So sad, thanks for sharing the visit with us.
The Surf is worth the trip! The restorations over the years have been slight but the upkeep is the number one priority. I was there about 10 years ago 2011 I think it was and they were replacing the ceiling light fixtures in the main dance floor area. I would have given anything to have one because they were fans as well now they're just balls of light. The pay phone was actually originally back in the room closer to the stage. They had to preserve it, so they protected it in its own little area so people could see it. The Winter Dance Party memorial is held every early February. Every year there's different performers and it's well worth going to. Throughout the year there's any number of events and activities and concerts. It's worth checking out!
I’ve been to Clear Lake many times growing up and I never went to the Surf Ballroom. It’s cool to see you visit this place Chris. Keep up the great work!
Mobile Instinct, wonderful job capturing the ambience, essence and significance of the Surf Ballroom. I was a high school freshman in 1959 , the day the music died. Forty-one years later I had the pleasure of attending the Winter Dance Party 2000 at the Surf. I felt as though I had passed through a time warp. The ballroom was packed with young and old, many wearing period clothes including poodle skirts, saddle shoes and letter jackets. The Saturday evening dance party was a terrific time, everyone in good party spirits, dancing and singing along with the "oldies." I had the opportunity to dance with two gracious young ladies. Even the then-governor of Iowa was at the party, dancing with his wife. I didn't want the evening to end -- a truly memorable visit to Clear Lake and the Surf Ballroom.
I have bee here a few times and also visited the crash site. You are spot on with your comment about your visit to the Surf Ballroom. If only today's days were like those...back in the good ole 50's...Surf Ballroom a jewel that will never be replicated.Thanks to Mobile Instinct for the marvelous video and taking us along for the grand tour...
Wow. This is one of the best videos I have ever seen, and I have seen a LOT of them in my time. This is like being there in 1959. I can almost see and hear them. Thank you for doing this. Really, thank you.
That was neat, thanks for taking us on a tour we'd never get to enjoy otherwise. The place is huge! One can just imagine it full of people, teens, the din of the crowd... wow. To have been there on that night. What a loss. Thanks again!
Another great piece of American history. I was an apprentice mining electrician in the early 60's and the music produced by these artists was fabulous at the Mecca Locarno dance hall here in Wakefield. Thanks a lot, Colin ( UK )
Buddy Holly’s music is like all great music…timeless. I was not yet alive when these three famous musicians met an untimely end. Being born myself in 1962 and having grown up as a teenager in late 1970s-early 1980s I still managed to find and hear Buddy’s music and it remains on my personal music playlist to this day along with my other favorite bands of my childhood. I measure my personal affection for and attachment to music by how often I go back to listen to it over and over and never get tired of it. For me, Buddy Holly is one of those artists I never grow tired of listening to. It is such a shame that his life and his amazing creative gift for music were ended way to early for such a vibrant young man. One can only imagine what additional amazing tunes and arrangements he would have created had he lived out his life another 40-50yrs. It is good to see that this classic Americana 1950s venue where he and Richie Valens and the Big Bopper gave their final performances, has been so lovingly preserved and cared for.
Hi Chris this was fantastic to see, many thanks for sharing. I was 7 years old when the accident happened and I remember the headlines in the paper about their deaths and my mom and dad discussing it. RIP to them all 🙏🙏🙏. Again thanks so much for sharing 👊👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
Nice tour! For its age I found it shockingly big, that place was rocking that night, filled with lots of people... So glad this was saved and not demolished like so many older venues like this and even better it is still used today! Love the various tributes throughout the place for the 3 men, I find it odd that it seems to be in a residential area, as it looks like houses across the street.... Thanks for sharing!
Clear Lake is a very small town; it’s next to Mason City, which is somewhat more urban. Clear Lake’s downtown is only a block away and the town is on the edge of a big lake. It seems like a seaside town, so it has a cool vibe to it that’s atypical of midwestern towns and cities. It’s worth a visit.
So I just put on the Buddy Holly Movie and fast forwarded to the last scene at This last concert. I got tears in my eyes .. seeing the actual place today… thanks to you…I felt a part of it. The stage looks correct in the movie ti what you’ve shown us. Just imagine all those years being there and not having a clue it would be the last.. “the day…the music died””… thank you thank you … thank you!!
Reminds me of the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo, Iowa. Teen dances every week in the 80's. A local photographer sold pictures of Buddy Holley warming up back stage from the year before he passed. Electric Park looks much like the surf. So glad I got to experience dances/bands in a ballroom full of teens, as I did.
You can hear songs “Woman, Woman”, “Young girl”, “Lady Willpower” and “This Girl is a Woman Now” by Gary Puckett in the background. Another legendary performer from later era, the 60s... and Buddy Holly had huuge impact on the 60s.
Thank you for this video. I have never seen other videos regarding the Surf Ballroom. You did an excellent job. It is amazing how they have kept the original look.
Thank you so very much, after 45 years as a Buddy Holly fan, I always wondered what the Surf ballroom looks like... I have seen old pictures and parts of the interior, mainly the stage, but this is the first time I really felt as if I were there!
I remember being a kid in a small midwest town in the 90s a bunch of buildings either kept this aesthetic intentionally or hadn't bothered remodeling but, I could smell this video, feel each of those surfaces. I thought about ol' Waylon, imagined him in that bathroom, or leaning just out side the photobooth, had the slow sad realization that they probably keep shelter there as long as possible before taking that freezing bus to the airport none of them knew the importance of it, what was coming. I couldn't imagine pain, but somehow seeing this place the connection to my own past made it all too real. I hope I remember these feelings.
I live about 12 blocks from the Surf!!!! So many great concerts they put on:) Most of the time the tables aren’t there. Quiet Riot is playing at the Surf Friday night!!
Man! I remember the first time I watched La Bamba in 1989. I was a freshman. I got really interested in the story and buddy Holly. At the time it was the 40 year anniversary and CBS FM 101.1 here in the NY area played their music all day . I bought a bunch of Buddy Holly posters and cassettes.
Honored and thrilled to have added my name to one of the walls at the Surf. There is a hallway from the stage area leading to an exit used for load-in/load-out. One could easily spend hours trying to read them all. Cool place. The Surf had two "sister" ballrooms in the area as well.
I used to drive through Iowa fairly often driving MN-TX. Really wish I had found this and stopped by. Thanks for sharing and thanks to those that preserved this absolute treasure. Waylon Jennings played that night also but did not board that plane.
A remarkable time capsule! Yours is the only one I've seen so far of the SURF tour. Great video and I'm glad they decided to keep the place fairly original and with many displays of memorabilia😊
That's just a great ballroom. I can't speak to the acoustics but I love the size and layout. That's the kind of place you'd want to see your favorite band.
I went to a wedding here as a kid and remembered the building immediately when I looked at the thumb nail. Such a cool place and a very cool event as well!
They must do a lot of business today in order to be able to keep that place. That's pretty amazing looking, loving how the authenticity is well preserved. Great video, thanks for sharing!
I drove by the Surf around 1997-98 when I was a long haul truck driver and it looked mostly the same as in the 1959 photos. So glad it is still operational and hope to go there soon.
Hey dude, thank you soooooo much for this beautiful video trip back to the most romantic time .......... the 50's I absolutely love this building and the very eri vibe that comes with seeing it as it was that horrible fateful night. I love those times and memories, but none more than what you have presented here. I'm very grateful my friend. Kind regards Tony (New Zealand)
That's really awesome that whoever owns it kept it up in amazing shape! Loved and cared for! Those booths are amazing, the whole set up is. A great place for a concert for sure, including all the memories! Thanks for thinking of sharing this historic monument with us!👍👏✨
Reminds me of the Casa Loma Ballroom in St. Louis. Old, old ballroom. A decade or two ago a movie called “King of the Hill” came out that wanted to shoot there and Pat, the owner at the time, agreed so long as the production company restored and painted it back to how it looked when it opened. Casa Loma is still an active venue also, and seeing this makes me want to get back.
Thank you for filming and uploading this video. I'm a huge Buddy Holly fan. 'Girl on My Mind' and 'Rock Me My Baby' etc. Being able to see what's inside Surf Ballroom is pretty cool.
Dude, thanks for the tour. That place is wonderful to see! Like stepping back in time. It was built during a time when people GOT TOGETHER. These days, we haven’t been this divided since the 1860’s. I wonder if that place still packs em in.? I sure hope so. I recently watched the Gary Busey movie about Buddy. It’s a good watch if you’ve not ever seen it. Thanks again for the post bro.
I grew up about 30 miles north of there in Albert Lea, MN. I was 5 years old the day the music died. Never been in the ballroom before. Thanks for the video.
Excellent video, guy !!! What's perhaps best about it is your reverence and heart for your subject. You feel it and respect it and it comes through even though it was way before your time. Great job !!! Kudos. Do more.
Looking at this old stuff makes me uncomfortably reminiscent. I was born in the 2000’s. I shouldn’t feel this way. I think it’s because I try to put myself in my grandpas shoes. I could see them in a place like this with my grandmas.
You DON'T see venues like this anymore! I hope they keep it just as it is!
I believe it’s in the state’s national register so I think they’re legally obligated to
ValAir Ballroom in West Des Moines still exists
You can really feel what 1959 must have been like.
As a teenager who loves 50s aesthetics and music, it makes me so happy that there's still places like this that keep the memories alive. I was here at the beginning of September and it was a great experience.
Even though I'm more into 70s/80s music, I feel the same way. I hate how gentrification destroys cool old buildings that really had charm and character
That's why architectural preservation is so important! They used to say "it's progress!". But its not and I hope we know better now.
Me too, makes me happy that the remnants of the 1950s are still preserved
I love that they kept the same look of the ballroom. It’s still a 50’s vibe I love the ballroom. My dad remembers hearing on the radio when they announced the plane crash. I’m in my 40’s and listen to 50’s music. Love the video
I was there many moons ago,it looked a bit different , but still neat.
@@barnabyjones7823 What was different about it?
This is the ultimate cool. Just to think that their voices bounced off those walls for that night, never to be heard live again. Thanks so much.
lol i bet this venue couldnt even handle a hardcore show... me and my boys would TEAR THIS BITCH UP!!!! try growing up... .lol
Wow
Unreal. What an amazing homage to Rock n' Roll--a living museum of sorts. The place could have easily been razed decades ago to make way for a highway, shopping mall or apartment complex--and yet there it is, not only still standing but in virtually pristine, original condition--and still operating in its original capacity as a concert venue. Thanks for posting this..!
I went to the Surf Ballroom this summer while on a road trip.... what a historical place. Loved every second of it!
I wish more buildings from that era had been cared for like that. I remember when I was little (born in 68) going into older buildings and loving the architecture and the furnishings. My Dad has been a fan of Buddy Holly since he was just a little boy in the 50s and he introduced me to that great music. It brings me so much comfort and happiness. Buddy lives on through his music.
I agree, some of the post war architecture was very beautiful, especially googie.
Check out the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo, Iowa.
Rave on! 👍
Think they had to come down cause of asbestos no?
Yes tell that to my former home city which has torn down almost every landmark around. Now they're going after older homes that sit on a sizable piece of land. It's nothing but greed. They are being torn down so they cam be replaced by two or even three houses on the same lot. Since most of my relatives have died I don;t go back there anymore. Since then I've been many smaller towns and cities that preserve and not destroy their history.
Although it's literally been said countless upon countless times over, still and yet, what a breathtakingly, stunningly marvelous, marvelous, magical, legendary, iconic piece of rock n roll history here. Absolutely unbelievable that so much tireless love and dedication has been put forth throughout the many, many decades to maintain it's historical provenance and values. Certainly by all means one of those "If only the walls could talk, what rich stories they would have to tell" places. Thanks a million for sharing this cool walk down memory lane.
Oh my if only those rooms and walls could talk 👄!! So glad this piece of history has been preserved !! Thank-you Chris for showing us this awesome place of history 😀
My Uncle Bronson back in Lubbock Texas was good friends with Buddy Holley as they were class mates back in High School. They both would die in plane crash as my Uncle crashed twice but only survive once. I was at my Grandmother's home in Lubbock when we got the call over the phone and it was a very terrible night with that news of my Uncle's Fatal crash. He was a really smart Texan a photographer a chemist a Army Texas Air Patrol Army Veteran. Even though I was young at that time I still recall that night of the crash. Peggy Sue was also a Classmate to my Parents back in High School one of Buddy's famous songs of many.
A lot of famous people from Lubbock.
Roy Orbison, Janice Joplin and Bobby Fuller just to name a few.
I think of poodle skirts, saddle shoes and argyle sweaters 🥰
Thank you Chris! You can almost see the booths full and girls at the stage...and yes I love that entryway too. Comforting
The good old days.
In 1986 I flew into Clear Lake to visit the Terratorn ultralite factory. We were a distributor in Idaho so I wanted to see where the parts were made. I arrived their Feb 1st and stayed a couple of days. I knew a little about the 3 rock stars but never made the connection until the night I was ready to leave from the airport to fly to the Minneappolis StPaul airport. Someone "said enjoy your flight because this was the anniversary of the famous crash". So I boarded a smaller commuter twin engine Beech by the way which is what they died in, a Beech Bonanza. The pilot said it would be a bumpy ride because snow storms were passing thru the area to the north all the way to my destination. I was concerned about the date coincidence but really got alarmed when the copilot right after take off north of the town took his flashlight out to check the ice build up on the leading edges of the wings. They hit the deicer boots which you could see the ice chucks flowing past the wings. I was a commercial pilot myself in aerial application and flew for 52 years and that was the most frightening experience I ever had in any airplane. Never was glad to get on the ground ever. Flying in IFR conditions in icing in the middle of winter was not my cup of tea. Sorry for the rant but had to share.
Glad you commented could only imagine what went through their heads at that time!
At 13:48 on the wall is the name "Dickey Betts', an original member of the Allman Brothers and a fierce guitar player. Paying respect. How fun would it be to go to a concert at that venue. Mid-century modern vibes all over.
Lead vocals on Ramblin Man
I noticed that also..6:11..
And his band name. Great Southern'
Pretty cool too..
Dickey is the man. I had the privilege of seeing him perform live with Great Southern 1/2 dozen times from 2006-2014 in small venues in NY, NJ & PA. Also got to see him a few times with The Bros. in the early to mid 90’s. He is an amazing guitarist, songwriter & musician!
I had a friend Iska Jacobs who carried Dickey Betts to the Hospital back in the day to save his life from an Overdose on Drugs
RIP Iska Jacobs
So wonderful to see this place has not been allowed to fall into ruin and be vandalized. Very rare. Thank you for sharing.
I have never seen this amazing venue. Thanks for taking us with you.
I could only picture Buddy calling Maria Helena at that phone booth, saying that he adored her, in probably the last phone call of his life. So sad, thanks for sharing the visit with us.
The Surf is worth the trip! The restorations over the years have been slight but the upkeep is the number one priority. I was there about 10 years ago 2011 I think it was and they were replacing the ceiling light fixtures in the main dance floor area. I would have given anything to have one because they were fans as well now they're just balls of light. The pay phone was actually originally back in the room closer to the stage. They had to preserve it, so they protected it in its own little area so people could see it. The Winter Dance Party memorial is held every early February. Every year there's different performers and it's well worth going to. Throughout the year there's any number of events and activities and concerts. It's worth checking out!
I’ve been to Clear Lake many times growing up and I never went to the Surf Ballroom. It’s cool to see you visit this place Chris. Keep up the great work!
Mobile Instinct, wonderful job capturing the ambience, essence and significance of the Surf Ballroom. I was a high school freshman in 1959 , the day the music died. Forty-one years later I had the pleasure of attending the Winter Dance Party 2000 at the Surf. I felt as though I had passed through a time warp. The ballroom was packed with young and old, many wearing period clothes including poodle skirts, saddle shoes and letter jackets. The Saturday evening dance party was a terrific time, everyone in good party spirits, dancing and singing along with the "oldies." I had the opportunity to dance with two gracious young ladies. Even the then-governor of Iowa was at the party, dancing with his wife. I didn't want the evening to end -- a truly memorable visit to Clear Lake and the Surf Ballroom.
greg, i think you need to try growing up? lol? have you ever thought about that? lol?
@@surf5224 At age 77, I'm still trying to grow up!
Great for you mr. Greg! I can only imagine the experience
@@thejunktownsheriffkilliand4800 Thanks, Sheriff. Each of us has experiences that become important memories of our life.
I have bee here a few times and also visited the crash site. You are spot on with your comment about your visit to the Surf Ballroom. If only today's days were like those...back in the good ole 50's...Surf Ballroom a jewel that will never be replicated.Thanks to Mobile Instinct for the marvelous video and taking us along for the grand tour...
Wow. This is one of the best videos I have ever seen, and I have seen a LOT of them in my time. This is like being there in 1959. I can almost see and hear them. Thank you for doing this. Really, thank you.
That was neat, thanks for taking us on a tour we'd never get to enjoy otherwise. The place is huge! One can just imagine it full of people, teens, the din of the crowd... wow. To have been there on that night. What a loss.
Thanks again!
Another great piece of American history. I was an apprentice mining electrician in the early 60's and the music produced by these artists was fabulous at the Mecca Locarno dance hall here in Wakefield. Thanks a lot, Colin ( UK )
Buddy Holly’s music is like all great music…timeless. I was not yet alive when these three famous musicians met an untimely end. Being born myself in 1962 and having grown up as a teenager in late 1970s-early 1980s I still managed to find and hear Buddy’s music and it remains on my personal music playlist to this day along with my other favorite bands of my childhood. I measure my personal affection for and attachment to music by how often I go back to listen to it over and over and never get tired of it. For me, Buddy Holly is one of those artists I never grow tired of listening to. It is such a shame that his life and his amazing creative gift for music were ended way to early for such a vibrant young man. One can only imagine what additional amazing tunes and arrangements he would have created had he lived out his life another 40-50yrs. It is good to see that this classic Americana 1950s venue where he and Richie Valens and the Big Bopper gave their final performances, has been so lovingly preserved and cared for.
i thought buddy holly was actually SHIT ... lol... try growing up? lol?
This was really neat to see, thanks for the tour! It's amazing to see how well preserved it is, really a nice step back in time.
Hi Chris this was fantastic to see, many thanks for sharing. I was 7 years old when the accident happened and I remember the headlines in the paper about their deaths and my mom and dad discussing it. RIP to them all 🙏🙏🙏. Again thanks so much for sharing 👊👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
Nice tour!
For its age I found it shockingly big, that place was rocking that night, filled with lots of people...
So glad this was saved and not demolished like so many older venues like this and even better it is still used today!
Love the various tributes throughout the place for the 3 men, I find it odd that it seems to be in a residential area, as it looks like houses across the street....
Thanks for sharing!
Clear Lake is a very small town; it’s next to Mason City, which is somewhat more urban. Clear Lake’s downtown is only a block away and the town is on the edge of a big lake. It seems like a seaside town, so it has a cool vibe to it that’s atypical of midwestern towns and cities. It’s worth a visit.
Well done, Chris.
Thanks for taking us there
To see such a historically significant building cared for so lovingly… it makes my heart sing!
I play in a 50's and 60's band from Evansville In. We played a gig in that place. Sure was a great experience!
So I just put on the Buddy Holly Movie and fast forwarded to the last scene at This last concert. I got tears in my eyes .. seeing the actual place today… thanks to you…I felt a part of it. The stage looks correct in the movie ti what you’ve shown us. Just imagine all those years being there and not having a clue it would be the last.. “the day…the music died””… thank you thank you … thank you!!
My home, crazy to think a small town of less than 10k residents is home to a tragic scene. Thank you for sharing this.
Very emotional moment seeing the photographer's display. 😢✌️
Reminds me of the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo, Iowa. Teen dances every week in the 80's. A local photographer sold pictures of Buddy Holley warming up back stage from the year before he passed. Electric Park looks much like the surf. So glad I got to experience dances/bands in a ballroom full of teens, as I did.
You can hear songs “Woman, Woman”, “Young girl”, “Lady Willpower” and “This Girl is a Woman Now” by Gary Puckett in the background. Another legendary performer from later era, the 60s... and Buddy Holly had huuge impact on the 60s.
Fun fact: Gary Puckett and Bob Dylan were both born in Hibbing Minnesota...
@@thegreenbird795 what a great place, thankful for giving a birth of these legendary stars.
Ghostly but also fascinating. As it was, as they were.. long live their brilliant music that they gave to us.
Thank you for this video. I have never seen other videos regarding the Surf Ballroom. You did an excellent job. It is amazing how they have kept the original look.
That place is absolutely incredible.
Damn. This video is gold. Thank You!
Possibly the coolest venue I’ve ever seen!
Thank you so very much, after 45 years as a Buddy Holly fan, I always wondered what the Surf ballroom looks like... I have seen old pictures and parts of the interior, mainly the stage, but this is the first time I really felt as if I were there!
What a beautiful time capsule!
I remember being a kid in a small midwest town in the 90s a bunch of buildings either kept this aesthetic intentionally or hadn't bothered remodeling but, I could smell this video, feel each of those surfaces. I thought about ol' Waylon, imagined him in that bathroom, or leaning just out side the photobooth, had the slow sad realization that they probably keep shelter there as long as possible before taking that freezing bus to the airport none of them knew the importance of it, what was coming. I couldn't imagine pain, but somehow seeing this place the connection to my own past made it all too real. I hope I remember these feelings.
I live about 12 blocks from the Surf!!!! So many great concerts they put on:) Most of the time the tables aren’t there. Quiet Riot is playing at the Surf Friday night!!
this is absolutely an incredible piece of history thank you for posting
I love when things like this with such historic value are preserved like this. Respect to the ones who have kept it so authentic looking.
I thoroughly enjoyed it’s a pleasure to see buildings like this and the history of it Kept in TAC
Thumbs up from Australia 🇦🇺👍🏼
There are still operational bowling alleys, roller skating car hops & Drive - In Movies preserved like this. Mid - Twen rules.
I've seen the crash site many times in videos but never this place. Thank you for showing us. Very interesting.
Man! I remember the first time I watched La Bamba in 1989. I was a freshman. I got really interested in the story and buddy Holly. At the time it was the 40 year anniversary and CBS FM 101.1 here in the NY area played their music all day . I bought a bunch of Buddy Holly posters and cassettes.
Honored and thrilled to have added my name to one of the walls at the Surf. There is a hallway from the stage area leading to an exit used for load-in/load-out. One could easily spend hours trying to read them all. Cool place. The Surf had two "sister" ballrooms in the area as well.
Absolutely beautiful venue. Someone deeply cares for this building.
I used to drive through Iowa fairly often driving MN-TX.
Really wish I had found this and stopped by. Thanks for sharing and thanks to those that preserved this absolute treasure.
Waylon Jennings played that night also but did not board that plane.
Great video! I appreciate the pace at which you narrate this and give the viewer enough time to take everything in. It makes me feel like I am there.
Thank you for this haunting video. If those walls could talk...
A remarkable time capsule! Yours is the only one I've seen so far of the SURF tour. Great video and I'm glad they decided to keep the place fairly original and with many displays of memorabilia😊
That's just a great ballroom. I can't speak to the acoustics but I love the size and layout. That's the kind of place you'd want to see your favorite band.
Thank you, Chris! ❤
This is a FABULOUS tour of the Ballroom ...
Did not know this place was still standing much less so well preserved. Thanks for posting!
Yes i alwats love seeing that ballroom and the sad story! Thanks for sharing!
Born and raised around this area. Grew up with stories of family members going to this concert.
You almost feel their ghosts are still there
I went to a wedding here as a kid and remembered the building immediately when I looked at the thumb nail. Such a cool place and a very cool event as well!
They must do a lot of business today in order to be able to keep that place. That's pretty amazing looking, loving how the authenticity is well preserved. Great video, thanks for sharing!
Wonderful retrospective. Thank you for sharing.
I drove by the Surf around 1997-98 when I was a long haul truck driver and it looked mostly the same as in the 1959 photos. So glad it is still operational and hope to go there soon.
Wow, this is incredible. What an amazing time capsule/museum. I have to put this on my list of places to visit sometime.
“ Hello baby come on let’s go &. Rave on! ‘ still can hear the music play!👍 ❤️ Ty for that memory ? ( rip)
Thank you for this video! Much love for the folks responsible over the years for preserving this venue.
I was 8 when they died, but I've always enjoyed their music. Really nice video. I enjoyed the tour very much. Thanks.
I played there back in the mid seventies. It had a very stuck in time feel to it. In a cool way, not a bad way.
Some things need to be frozen like this. Thank you for your video.
My grandparents met and fell in love at The Surf Ballroom. Great piece of American history in our nation’s heartland. The Day the Music Died
Hey dude, thank you soooooo much for this beautiful video trip back to the most romantic time .......... the 50's
I absolutely love this building and the very eri vibe that comes with seeing it as it was that horrible fateful night.
I love those times and memories, but none more than what you have presented here.
I'm very grateful my friend.
Kind regards
Tony (New Zealand)
Very sad and very eerie. Great tour, thank you.
What a lovely venue
That's really awesome that whoever owns it kept it up in amazing shape! Loved and cared for! Those booths are amazing, the whole set up is. A great place for a concert for sure, including all the memories! Thanks for thinking of sharing this historic monument with us!👍👏✨
Still an amazing place! Thanks for posting this!
Reminds me of the Casa Loma Ballroom in St. Louis. Old, old ballroom. A decade or two ago a movie called “King of the Hill” came out that wanted to shoot there and Pat, the owner at the time, agreed so long as the production company restored and painted it back to how it looked when it opened.
Casa Loma is still an active venue also, and seeing this makes me want to get back.
Rest in peace legends, thank you for your guidance in sharing the magic you created
This is awesome man, thank you for filming this
Too them it was just another gig on the tour, but to us it's Rock n Roll history. Cheers from England.
I love the music I grew up with. I still have the first radio. Station was AM back then now FM. In my 80' S ♥️ now
So awesome to see this. Hauntingly beautiful.
Thank you for filming and uploading this video. I'm a huge Buddy Holly fan. 'Girl on My Mind' and 'Rock Me My Baby' etc. Being able to see what's inside Surf Ballroom is pretty cool.
This is one of the most eerie videos I’ve ever seen. There is something quite haunting and spiritual about this venue
This was great! I’m hoping to make it there next year. Can’t wait! Glad
You made it there 😎🤘
Really cool, thanks for the tour man
My dad took me here a few years ago and it was amazing to see in person.
The video depicts and eerie silence and stillness... As if this place is still in mourning. Hats Off to the owner for the preservation
Excellent, respectful tour of such a hallowed place in music history. Kudos for this video!
Amazing. Glad it’s still in working condition.
Dude, thanks for the tour. That place is wonderful to see! Like stepping back in time. It was built during a time when people GOT TOGETHER. These days, we haven’t been this divided since the 1860’s. I wonder if that place still packs em in.? I sure hope so. I recently watched the Gary Busey movie about Buddy. It’s a good watch if you’ve not ever seen it. Thanks again for the post bro.
I grew up about 30 miles north of there in Albert Lea, MN. I was 5 years old the day the music died. Never been in the ballroom before. Thanks for the video.
It’s an amazing venue. Been there for a rock show and for the Winter Dance Party revivals in Feb. trapped in time indeed.
Excellent video, guy !!! What's perhaps best about it is your reverence and heart for your subject. You feel it and respect it and it comes through even though it was way before your time. Great job !!! Kudos. Do more.
The music that paved the way for metal
Very cool!! Must of been so fun to play there and dance 💃
Looking at this old stuff makes me uncomfortably reminiscent. I was born in the 2000’s. I shouldn’t feel this way. I think it’s because I try to put myself in my grandpas shoes. I could see them in a place like this with my grandmas.