February 1, 1959 – The Winter Dance Party

February 1, 1959 – The Winter Dance Party is stranded en route to Appleton, Wisconsin, when the bus breaks down. With temperatures at 30 degrees below zero and no source of heat, the passengers burn newspapers in the aisles to keep warm. Sheriffs’ cars pick up the freezing entertainers and drummer Carl Bunch is admitted to the hospital suffering from frostbite. Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens take turns filling in on drums for the next shows. With the Cinderella Ballroom performance canceled, the Winter Dance Party continues and performs at the Riverside Ballroom in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Source: The Buddy Holly Center, 1801 Crickets Ave., Lubbock. @buddyholly @BuddyHollyCtr #ROCkabillyHop #buddyholly #TheCrickets #WinterDanceParty #RocHop

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