Very few moments in Rock and Roll history are as immediately recognizable as the tragic plane crash of iconic rockers, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. On a frigid February evening in 1953, their plane left the Clear Lake, Iowa cornfield bound for Fargo, N.D., capping off a brilliant performance billed as the Winter Dance Party at the Historic Surf Ballroom. The devastation can’t be understated. As the decades have passed, pressing pause on that amazing night of music eternally lingers.
Rock and roll continues to ‘rave on’ in Ottumwa - John Mueller’s “Winter Dance Party”® – Buddy Holly Tribute, is live in concert Sunday, February 1, 3 p.m., at the Bridge View Center Theater stage. Reserved seating starts at $29.75. Tickets on sale Friday, October 3, 10 a.m. Venue-Pre-Sale for Bridge View Center email subscribers will begin Thursday, October 2, at 10 a.m. Tickets are available online at bridgeviewcenter.com, through Ticketmaster’s mobile app or in person at Bridge View Center ticket office (Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 pm.).
John Mueller’s “Winter Dance Party” ® is the official live and authentic re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper's final tour and the only show endorsed by the Holly, Valens and Richardson estates. Each live concert performance includes over two hours of unbridled, high voltage entertainment featuring all the hit songs of the 50's era: “That'll Be The Day”, “Peggy Sue”, “Oh, Boy”, “Rave On”, “La Bamba”, “Chantilly Lace” and many, many more.
Mueller, the critically acclaimed former star of the U.S. touring version of the London/Broadway hit musical "Buddy..the Buddy Holly Story," performs as Holly and Linwood Sasser fills the legendary footsteps of the Big Bopper. Ray Anthony performs as Valens and was a renowned star of the "Legends of Rock and Roll" show at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas. The very authentic and energetic four piece band (guitar, drums, stand-up bass and sax) includes Craig Harbaugh on saxophone.