The Last Perfromances of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper
The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Iowa was added as an after-thought to "The Winter Dance Party" tour, featuring Buddy Holly and The Crickets, Richie Valens, The Big Bopper and Dion & The Belmonts. Following the concert performance, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and Jiles "The Big Bopper" Richardson all boarded a single engine plane that had originally been chartered for Holly and his own band members.

The plane crashed in a cornfield within minutes of take off. The crash killed all three passengers and the pilot instantly.

The Surf Ballroom is still in operation. It offers entertainment and space for conventions and events.