As I remember we were buying T-Shirts at the time and we talked about the original show. That would have been Feb of 2006 when Larry Ryan and his wife Jane came up with us and saw our first Winter Dance Party since the original fateful night in 1959. I will try to find some pictures if I can.
Just a few weeks back I ran into a man from Mason City at a Menards store here in Iowa City. He was here to put a new roof on a house for a friend of his who is originally from China. I later drove over to where he was working and spent some time with him and his workers.
His name is Cary Maassen. When I heard him mention being from Mason City my ears perked up and I told him I was from Clear Lake. He was here to put a new roof on a house for a friend of his who is originally from China. I later drove over to where he was working and spent some time with him and his workers. I had told him I was at the Surf that night in 1959 and he became very interested. He has made several friends from England and other parts of the world that attend the events every year. His contact information is below.
Since my only claim to fame is being from Clear Lake and at the original concert we had much in common. He is, as I am, an avid fan of Buddy Holly as well as Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson "The Big Bopper" Soon the conversation came to the Winter Dance Party and I learned his parents had a farm north of the airport. He went with his father that day to their farm and later to the sight of the crash. The response team had borrowed their tractor/loader to remove wreckage debris. He actually recovered and has a piece of the plane.
My memories are somewhat limited. I don't know if it is due to age, the trauma or just time that has gone by since then. Being at the Surf in 2006 brought back some of the memories. The place was packed, the dancing was continuous and many people just gathered on the floor to listen, scream, yell and clap while they performed. I was in my first year at Mason City Junior College and learned of the crash while driving my 40 Ford two door home after my classes. It was about 10:30 AM when I heard the announcement on KRIB. Disbelief and shock overcame me and I found some of my friends who had already heard the news. I did not try to visit the site and have not been there to this day. I do know that the crash site and the airport are nearer to Clear Lake than Mason City. I think that the story about the coin toss is a fabrication. The three stars would have been the logical people to ride in the plane and the purpose of the story may have been to further Waylon Jennings career. I also think that it was wrong of Maria Holly to sue to keep the Surf from using the name Winter Dance Party.
Because of that night and because of the real talent they possessed the "Music Will Never Die." If it does "That will be the day I die." Three stars on their way up were brought down but the music will live on in the minds and hearts of their fans. Your documentary will bring back the memories and make the story known to the younger generations.
My biggest regret is that we have been planning to go back for the 50th and that seems to be a problem now because of the tickets are sold out. Two years ago I did not stop dancing until they put on a country band. People stood and cheered, danced and met people from all over the world. I hope that someway I can get there with my wife and friends. Maybe I will get to help with the work that goes on behind the scenes.
Now I occasionally go to a local bar where the piano players all know me. My only request is American Pie and they play it almost as soon as I walk in the door. I am surprised at the number of people here that know the words and not the story behind them. If they talk to me they know the story from my perspective.
Thanks for reading this and doing what you can to keep the memories alive. I look forward to renewing our meeting someday. Maybe I will get to be there. One tangentially related item. A year or so before Pat Boone was at the Surf and my parents would not allow me to go as they thought he was a bad influence.
Take care,
528 Rundell St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
