In a recent post about where we're all from, I mentioned that I've been big into Buddy Holly lately (you would've never guessed it from my profile pic)and that I've been itching to visit "The Surf Ballroom" up in Clear Lake, Iowa which is just over 2 hours drive north from me.
It was the last place Holly & co. on their "Winter Dance Tour" played before they were killed in the plane crash shortly after takeoff.
I found some info on the internet which you might find interesting, though gruesome.
I found the coroner's report on Buddy Holly.
I also found the probable cause for the crash that claimed not only his, but the Big Bopper, the pilot and Ritchie Valens's lives.
Here's Holly's report:
From the Coroner's Report dated Feb. 4, 1959
"The body of Charles H. Holley was clothed in an outer jacket of yellow leather-like material in which 4 seams in the back were split almost full length. The skull was split medially in the forehead and this extended into the vertex region. Approximately half the brain tissue was absent.
There was bleeding from both ears, and the face showed multiple lacerations. The consistency of the chest was soft due to extensive crushing injury to the bony structure. The left forearm was factured 1/3 the way up from the wrist and the right elbow was fractured. Both thighs and legs showed multiple factures. There was a small laceration of the scrotum.
Personal effects found with the body are listed on a separate sheet in this report.
Fingerprints were taken of the deceased for purposes of identification."
Ralph E. Smiley, MD
Acting coroner
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Personal effects, Charles Holley
Cash $193.00 less $11.65 coroner's fees - $181.35 2
cuff links, silver 1/2 in. balls having jeweled band.
Top portion of ball point pen.
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Can you believe that!!??
The coroner actually took $11.65 from Holly's wallet to pay for his autopsy!
Unbelievable!!
You learn something new everyday.
Here is the link to the coroner's general report as he arrived on the scene of the crash:
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/coroner.htmAnd here is the link to the Civil Aeronautics Board Report:
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/cab.htmI felt the need to post this for those of you who don't know much about this tragic event.
To see the Surf Ballroom where they all last performed, go here:
www.surfballroom.comThey even keep the original phone on the wall that all 3 stars used to make calls shortly before their deaths.
In late January 2003, they're holding "Legend Fest 2003".
It's part of "The Winter Dance Tour" (yes, they still hold it every winter!)
The emcee is the Big Bopper Jr.!
And get this, among the other many performers taking part in this 3 day event, NELSON is performing!!! LOL!!!
I nearly fell outta my chair when I read that!
Still though, I'm gonna try my hardest to make it there and see the show.
Man, how cool it would've been to see all 3 of them that night in 1959!
I can just picture Holly onstage strutting & singing "That'll Be the Day".
The stage lights reflecting off of the lenses in his glasses.
I still love all of their music, even if they died 15 years before I was born.
I find the entire story VERY intriguing.
Any thoughts??
