61 years ago, on February 2nd 1959, in
Clear Lake Iowa, a routine concert a winter tour, that
included some of the hottest rising stars of Rock N Roll, occurred at the famous
Surf Ballroom. The stars included 17 year old Richie Valens, 28 year old JP
“The Big Bopper” Richardson, 19 year old Dion DiMucci and 22 year old Buddy
Holly. The infamous plane crash that followed the show took 3 of them from us way too early and changed the music world forever.
On the 50th anniversary of that fateful
night several original venues on that Winter Tour route wanted to recreate
that fateful 1959 Winter Dance Tour. They called on the best there is for the
job; Johnny Rogers - a true third cousin to Elvis Presley. In fact, Johnny is
the only artist who had ever done this special remembrance show for the Surf
Ballroom! He has also played to full houses where Buddy’s career took root like
the Clovis Music Festival, and in Buddy’s home town of Lubbock Texas with
Buddy’s brothers Travis and Larry and niece Sherry, as well as having preformed
in concert with one time Cricket Tommy Allsup! We did say Johnny’s the best!
In appreciation of the 61st
anniversary date of that final concert, Summer Crush contacted Mr Rogers to see
if he might bring this renowned Surf Ballroom show to Florida for a befitting tribute
on the Summer Crush Surf Room stage. Johnny replied with an exuberant “yes”
right away, and is excited for the opportunity to bring this rare and historic
performance to Ft Pierce! On stage, Johnny will be joined by 6 musicians and backup
singers all the way from Chicago, to create an authentic reproduction of the
famous show, including former Pointer Sisters drummer Doug Florence, former keyboardist
for Jay & The Americans George Tuzzeo and the multi-talented Bill Frank on stand-up
bass who has played with too many Oldies groups to list.
The tribute ends
with the iconic hit penned by Don McLean, who as a 13 year old newspaper
delivery boy, read about the tragedy as he cut open his delivery bundle the
next morning on his route ... But February made me shiver, With
every paper I’d deliver. Bad news on the doorstep. I couldn’t take one more
step. I can’t remember if I cried, When I read about his widowed bride.
Something touched me deep inside, the day the music died…..—Don McLean,
“American Pie”.
See more about Johnny at www.the
johnnyrogersshow.com
Gates open at 5:30pm with dinner available until 7:00pm featuring some of the area’s most popular food trucks. Food is not included in the ticket price. Opening music by Paul Skyland. Although we have several chairs in the lawn area, bringing your own lawn chair is encouraged for lawn seating. And please be sure to wear clothing so you are comfortable for the weather for the event. If you would like to bring a cushion for our pavilion chairs or benches please do, as well.
- Refunds. Our concerts are theater level bands and like a theater cannot offer refunds, especially the day of or after. Extenuating circumstances are looked at on a case by case basis, with exchanges for equal or lesser priced show possible.
- Volume. Some bands and tributes are at rock concert volume levels. If you do not have ear plugs we will have some available for you.