Plans for the 2024 Winter Dance Party®, scheduled for Feb. 1-3 at the legendary Surf Ballroom® in Clear Lake, are well underway. Event organizers announced a jam-packed lineup that features a number of fan favorite artists, as well as a multitude of musicians influenced by the late rock and roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson.
Surf Ballroom & Museum Board President Jeff Nicholas said, “Celebrating and honoring the musical legacies of three of the greatest rock ‘n roll pioneers in history is a large part of our organization’s mission, and we continue to be so humbled by all who have energetically agreed to be a part of it.”
The event kicks off on Thursday night, Feb. 1, with Chris Montez, The Chiffons, Dodie Stevens & The Killer Vees taking the stage.
Chris Montez was influenced by Hispanic culture and the rock ‘n roll success of Ritchie Valens. His hits include: “All You Had to Do was Tell Me” and “Let’s Dance.” He has toured with Clyde McPhatter, Sam Cooke, The Platters and Smokey Robinson. The Chiffons originated from the Bronx area of New York in 1960. Their sassy flair made them one of the top Girl Groups of the early ’60s. Their hits include: “One Fine Day” and “He’s So Fine,” “Sweet Talkin’ Guy” and “I Have a Boyfriend.”
Best known for her international hit “Pink Shoe Laces” in 1959, Dodie Stevens is a music legend from the 50’s and 60’s. She followed with “Yes, I’m Lonesome Tonight”, “No” and “Merry, Merry Christmas Baby.” She appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and starred in movies and made television appearances. Dodie performed at the Surf Ballroom in 2009 as a part of the 50th anniversary memorial concert.
Known in the music business as the “rhythm section to the stars,” Jeff and Tommy Vee have been playing drums and doghouse bass respectively for almost 40 years. In 2008 Jeff & Tommy joined forces with their cousin, Matt Vee, and his talented wife, Julie Velline, to form The Killer Vees.
La La Brooks’ list of singing accomplishments puts her in rare air in the history of rock and roll. As the lead singer of the 60s. Her hits include: “Then He Kissed Me” and “Da Doo Ron Ron.”
The Elegants were formed in 1956 by Vito Picone, who co-wrote their No. 1 single, “Little Star.” The group was named the No. 1 R&B and No. 1 Pop artist of the year in 1958.The band, still in their teens, toured with artists such as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. Vito Picone & The Elegants performed during the 2018 Winter Dance Party event.
A star-studded Saturday night on Feb. 3, the lineup features a special tribute in honor of legendary guitarist Albert Lee as he celebrates his 80th birthday. No stranger to the Surf Ballroom’s Winter Dance Party, Lee has performed at every Winter Dance Party since 2013. Albert Lee is a Grammy Award-winning British guitarist and multiple recipient of Guitar Player Magazine’s “Best Country Guitarist.” Lee joined the Crickets for three albums in the 1970’s and joined Emmylou Harris’s Hot Band in 1976. Additionally, he has worked both in the studio and on tour with many notable musicians from a wide range of genres including Eric Clapton, The Everly Brothers, Bill Wyman, Joe Cocker, Jackson Browne and Roseanne Cash.
Kicking off the night will be The Holy Rocka Rollaz. The high-energy trio performs classics from the 1950s and ‘60s, and have become a main-stage favorite at the annual event.
Also in the heart of the billing will be The Lettermen. In 1961 they recorded their first hit, “The Way You Look Tonight.” Other hits include “When I Fall In Love,” “Come Back Silly Girl,” “Theme From A Summer Place,” “Goin’ Out Of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”, “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “Hurt So Bad,” and “Shangri-La.”
A special highlight of the show will be Albert Lee’s 80th Birthday Jam featuring special guests from around the globe.
“Albert has become synonymous with the Surf Ballroom’s Winter Dance Party,” stated Shane Cooney, Winter Dance Party Executive Producer. “This year, we received so many inquiries from his contemporaries wanting to come to Clear Lake to help celebrate Albert’s birthday while making a pilgrimage to share their music from the Surf Ballroom stage. Prominently featured guests include Marshall Crenshaw, making his second Winter Dance party appearance, and Blondie Chaplain who’s resume includes work with the Beach Boys and Rolling Stones,” Cooney added.
The capstone of the weekend will be Slim Jim Phantom’s All Star Finale on Saturday night. Slim Jim Phantom helped introduce a generation to rockabilly alongside Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker as the drummer with The Stray Cats. The finale will combine the stars of the evening with additional special guests to blend the birthday celebration with a refocus upon the Three Stars that have brought them all together. Joining the others will be additional guests Glen Matlock, Gilby Clarke, Jennie Vee, Austin Allsup and Chris Montez.
Scheduled to make special guest appearances include:
Marshall Crenshaw is a beloved American musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist. His hits include: “Someday, Someway” and “Cynical Girl.” He has also appeared in film and TV, most notably playing John Lennon in “Beatlemania” in 1978 and later playing Buddy Holly in “La Bamba.”
Blondie Chaplin has played key roles in some of the biggest bands in rock & roll, with a decades-long résumé that includes work with the Beach Boys (Chaplin sang lead on at least three Beach Boys songs, “Sail On, Sailor,” “Leaving This Town.”
Glen Matlock, musician, singer and songwriter, was one of the founding members and original bass guitarist of punk rock band, The Sex Pistols. He has also traveled the world as bass guitarist with Iggy Pop, Blondie, Primal Scream and David Bowie.
Gilby Clarke is a musician, singer, songwriter and record producer best known for a 3-year tenure as the rhythm guitarist of Guns N’ Roses. Clarke went on to forge a solo career playing guitar with Slash’s Snakepit, Kat Men, Heart, Nancy Sinatra, Kathy Valentine (of the Go-Go’s), MC5 and forming his own group Rock Star Supernova with members of Metallica and Mötley Crüe.
Jennie Vee is a songwriter, guitarist and bassist from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. She played bass with Courtney Love and is currently a touring member of Eagles of Death Metal.
Austin Allsup rose to fame in 2016 as a top-10 finalist on NBC’s “The Voice.” His father, Tommy Allsup, played guitar with Buddy Holly during the 1959 Winter Dance Party Tour and was a regular performer at the Surf Ballroom until his death in 2017. After performing in his father’s place that year, Austin instantly became a part of the Winter Dance Party list of fan favorites.
Tickets will go on sale at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16. The three-day pass, good for all Winter Dance Party activities held at the Surf Ballroom, will be $135 and are valid for the evenings Feb. 1-3. Individual night general admission tickets will also be available for purchase.
All tickets for the event are non-refundable and the entertainment lineup is subject to change. Tickets and seating reservations may be purchased online at the Surf Ballroom’s website (www.surfballroom.com) or by calling the Surf’s box office at (641) 357-6151.
For the most current information about the event, please visit: winterdanceparty.surfballroom.com.
