Iowa Public Radio

Decades after the music died, Clear Lake's Surf Ballroom is still a destination for artists

With the new Music Experience Center and the Surf District project, Clear Lake is continuing to support today’s musicians, ...

What Really Happened on 'The Day the Music Died'? Unpacking Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper's Untimely Deaths

The tragic 1959 plane crash, immortalized in Don McLean's 1971 hit 'American Pie,' is a cultural cornerstone in modern ...

Feb. 3, 2026: 67 years since 'The Day the Music Died'

Rock legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, early on February 3 ...
KWWL News 7

Don McLean to be honored with statue at Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake

The Surf Ballroom & Museum will honor Don McLean with a life-size bronze statue in 2027, marking the 55th anniversary of his iconic song "American Pie." ...

Clear Lake's Surf Ballroom cementing 'American Pie' legacy with Don McLean statue

Fifty-five years after its release, Don McLean’s “American Pie” continues to shape American music and culture, and its legacy will soon be permanently recognize ...
KIMT News 3

Clear Lake's Surf Ballroom to unveil Don McLean statue in 2027

Supporters say this landmark celebrates McLean's enduring impact on music and his connection to the historic venue.

On This Day in 1959: The Tragic Final Performance of Buddy Holly and His Tourmates

On this day, February 2, in 1959, music history was forever altered as Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper took the stage for their final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, ...