3pm, $15/general, $10/seniors, $5 students

On Sunday 2/13/2022 at 3:00 PM at The Strands Theater in Hudson Falls NY, The Bob Bates Band will host a celebration of the three great rock and roll pioneers we lost on 2/3/1959 63 years ago. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP " The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed on that day on a snowy night in a plane crash on its way to Fargo North Dakota after their show ended at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Iowa. The pilot Roger Petersen also perished that night. The stars were billed as The Winter Dance Party along with Dion and the Belmonts and Frankie Sardo. The tour was a nightmare for the stars with old rickety buses breaking down in the sub zero weather. Finally Holly decided that after the Clear Lake show he and his band, Tommy Allsup and Waylon Jennings, would charter a plane to the next venue. Charlie Bunch the drummer was taken to the hospital with frostbite. When the Bopper heard of the charter he approached Waylon to give up his seat since JP had contracted the flu and needed to get to a doctor. Waylon said sure and gave up his seat. Ritchie wanted in on the flight but originally Tommy said no. Finally after much back and forth banter Tommy proposed to flip a coin. Ritchie win the toss and unfortunately the crash became the first rock and roll tragedy. The songs of the stars like Peggy Sue, La Bamba, Chantilly Lace and many others are still popular today. These three great pioneers never lost their popularity and the Strand's Theater is proud to present this tribute to a piece of Americana. The Bob Bates Band will host the show with all of the great songs of the stars being performed. On stage will be Bob Bates, Mike Craner, Sten Isachsen, and Sal Viola with guests Joann Sifo and Dakota Bates.