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Fans around the world are commemorating the 53rd anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson (the Big Bopper) today. Among the main events is the annual four-day commemoration of the Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. This was the last venue that the stars played before boarding the plane that would tragically crash shortly after take off. The Surf Ballroom has been designated a historical landmark by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places last year.

The Buddy Holly Center in Buddy’s home town of Lubbock, Texas is also marking the occasion by opening its doors free of charge from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm this evening. The permanent exhibition includes photographs, clothing, report cards, a pair of Holly’s trademake glasses and his Fender Stratocaster guitar.

Let’s step back in time for an example of how the media reacted to the tragedy in 1959. Ren Grevatt had this to say in his February 9, 1959 “On the Beat” column for Billboard Magazine:

Moving up to date, Dion DiMucci, who also played on the Winter Dance Party tour, has paid tribute to the three on his Facebook page:

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On this day in 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (the Big Bopper) lost their lives in a plane crash on route to a concert in Moorhead, Minnesota.

The performers were a three-week ‘Winter Dance Party’ tour of the Midwest, which had commenced on January 23. The tour conditions were far from ideal, particularly after the heating system in the tour bus broke down. After the show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, Buddy Holly chartered a small plane to take him to the next stop on the tour. He was joined on the plane by Valens and Richardson. The plane crashed soon after take off, killing all on board. Read more »