The Surf Ballroom
The Surf Ballroom(1999) This documentary profiles the saga of a notable ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, long a source of regional enjoyment and pride. It shows us a mix of urban and rural Iowans in settings where they share common tastes. Most famous as the last venue for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. Robertson in 1957 before their fatal plane crash, it had earlier hosted leading groups from the big band era including Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Woody Hermann, Tommie Dorsey, and Glenn Miller. The Surf's history also illustrates a valiant struggle to maintain live, local music in the age of mega-shows by superstars--despite bankruptcies, fires, and wrecking balls.
Marty Knepper Morningside College knepper@morningside.edu & John Shelton Lawrence Morningside College j.shelton.1@gmail.com
