The Day the Music Died Tour
The Day the Music Died Tour
Your journey into one of the most pivotal moments in American music history begins at the Surf Music Experience Center (MEC)—the immersive gateway to the story behind “The Day the Music Died.” From there, explore the Clear Lake locations featured in The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’, now streaming.
The documentary opens with the tragic events of February 3, 1959, when a single-engine plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson crashed into a cornfield just north of Clear Lake, Iowa—forever linking this small lake town to music history.
Long, long time ago, Clear Lake took its place on the national stage. At the MEC, immersive exhibits and storytelling set the scene before you step next door to the legendary Surf Ballroom, a National Historic Landmark that continues to celebrate its enduring role in American music. Still an active concert venue today, the Surf has hosted generations of artists, from the Big Band era of the 1930s through rock ’n’ roll and beyond. Complete your tour with a visit to the crash site memorial, located five miles north of the Surf in a quiet Iowa cornfield—a place of reflection and remembrance.
About the film:
More than a song or a single moment, this film explores a cultural turning point in America’s story—one that has resonated for decades. Featuring a new generation of artists inspired by the same values that led Don McLean to write “American Pie,” the documentary reflects on music’s power to connect the past, present, and future.
The Surf Ballroom & Museum
A “must-play” venue on the Big Band circuit in the ’30s & ’40s, rock ‘n’ roll arrived at the Surf in the mid-’50s to satisfy its young audience. The Surf was identified by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a historic rock and roll landmark, identifying it as an American location significant to the origins of rock ‘n’ roll. The U.S. Department of the Interior listed the Surf on the National Register of Historic Places, and bestowed the honor of National Historic Landmark recognizing the Surf’s enduring role in the history of American music, making it the 27th National Historic Landmark in the state of Iowa in 2021. The Surf is open daily for self-guided and guided tours, and it remains a popular concert venue.
Music Experience Center
Go beyond the dance floor and into the heart of rock n’ roll history at the Surf Music Experience Center, right next door to the legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. The immersive experience Not Fade Away brings music history to life with immersive storytelling, vivid projections, rare archival footage, and authentic artifacts that honor Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and generations of artists who helped shape a sound that defined a century. Celebrate the soundtrack of America through multi-sensory exhibits, explore historic 1950s interiors, and connect with the stories behind the music that still echoes through the Surf. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a first-time visitor, this unforgettable experience invites you to walk in the footsteps of legends and discover why the music never fades.
Crash Site Memorial
In a cornfield 5 miles north of the Surf Ballroom, a stainless-steel guitar and a set of three stainless-steel records mark the exact spot where the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson came to rest following their final concert, the Winter Dance Party tour at the Surf Ballroom. In 2009, a second monument was erected on the 50th anniversary of the tragedy honoring their pilot, Roger Peterson. When you arrive via gravel road, you will park near the trailhead structure depicting an oversized pair of Holly’s signature glasses, and walk west along the fence row about half mile mile to the memorial. Located on private land, the memorial is open to the public all year long.
Three Stars Plaza
Rock ‘n’ Roll icons are remembered at Three Stars Plaza, located near the legendary Surf Ballroom. The Art Deco-inspired monument features a central spindle stacked with three 45rpm records. Visitors can use its interactive feature to listen to music and history about the three fallen stars. At night, the records are beautifully lit in blue neon. Dedicated in 2011, the park expanded the footprint of the Surf District half a block from the Surf Ballroom with a re-dedication of Buddy Holly Place, and honorary dedication of J.P. Richardson Avenue and Ritchie Valens Drive. A new geocache, “This’ll be the day you geocache Clear Lake,” was placed at the park that includes a keepsake postcard for those who find it.
The Fox House
A Mid-Century Modern marvel, dance hall operator and Surf Ballroom original owner & builder Carl Fox lived across the street from the venue for many years in the home he built in 1948. Lovingly restored, this vintage lakeshore home features many original furnishings and characteristics. Like the Surf, it is as though time stood still in the home – many treasures have remained here throughout the years, giving visitors a glimpse of life in the ’40s and ’50s. Many times, people have asked why Clear Lake was chosen to build the Surf. Simply put, it was the people; it was the only place Carl and his wife wanted to live. Tours are available by appointment and are included in the Surf Ballroom Deluxe Tour.