MACT
Behind the Scenes by John Miller – January 2024
n January of 1959, a twenty-four day musical tour of the Midwest began in Milwaukee. Twelve days later the “Winter Dance Party” would end in tragedy on Feb 3, 1959. 2026 will mark the 67th anniversary of “The Day The Music Died.”
The number one and official tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper is John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party, returning to the Reif Center for the ninth time on Saturday, January 27th (2024). I believe that is a record for return visits and indicates the popularity of this production. It will sell out!
I remember during their first few visits the Big Bopper was portrayed by his son, Jay P. Richardson Jr. Jay never knew his father, being born eighty days after he passed, but he certainly mastered his father’s look and voice! For part of each performance Jay would pay tribute to his father’s memory. Sadly, Jay himself would pass away in 2013.
My roommate Greg and I like to take road trips and we’ve often found ourselves heading through Iowa on I-35, just a few minutes from the crash site, north of Clear Lake, Iowa. After a few miles of dusty farm roads, you know you’ve arrived when you see a giant pair of Buddy Holly glasses marking the entrance to the trail! After a ten-minute walk between fields, you arrive at the crash site itself. There is a memorial at the site surrounded with coins, toys and other mementos left by visitors. There is a quiet solemnity in this spot as you contemplate the crash and the four lives it took.
Trail entrance to the crash site.
Greg and I have also visited the nearby Surf Ballroom, where the three stars performed for the final time. The day we visited they were setting up for a Sevendust concert and I think “technically” we weren’t supposed to go into the ballroom. Well, we had come a long way so we slipped in, just for a picture or two!
Greg and I must have looked like we were part of the crew, because they left us alone for a good 10-15 minutes before someone with the band asked if we were on the crew. After fessing up, they told us we had to leave. Just a good reminder that dressing in black and throwing on a lanyard or carrying a wrench can grant you backstage access!
John Mueller created the Winter Dance Party tribute in 1999 after having performed in “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story.” The show has toured around the globe, including all of the still existing venues visited by the original tour.
John is noted for his personification of Holly on stage, he was even once accidentally paid with a check made out to Buddy Holly!
Ritchie Valens is portrayed by Las Vegas legend Ray Anthony. His love of Rock ‘n’ Roll began with Elvis. His connection with Ritchie Valens solidified after the film “La Bamba” was released. Almost immediately, people noted his uncanny resemblance to Lou Diamond Phillips who portrayed Valens in the film. That was soon parlayed into regular show stopping performances!
The Big Bopper is portrayed by Linwood Sasser, who is based in Los Angeles. I discovered he worked as Louie Anderson’s stand in on the comedy “Baskets.” You may want to avoid discussing the Royal family with him though. In 2018 he appeared on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, leaving with $5000 after missing the $10,000 question. The question was, “Ineligible to be called “Princess” as she has no royal heritage, Meghan Merkel was given what tongue twisting title when she married Prince Harry? A: The Duchess of Sussex, B: The Marchioness of Merseyside, C: The Baroness of Bedfordshire, D: The Viscountess of Worcestershire.” After Linwood used his 50-50, he incorrectly picked C. Do you know the correct answer? It is A: The Duchess of Sussex!
The Winter Dance Party has been one of our most requested shows at The Reif and I’m certain it will sell out, don’t miss this electrifying performance!
[Editor’s note: This article was written by John Miller, Technical Director at the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids. It is part of a series of monthly articles titled “Behind the Scenes”. All of his articles are available on the Reif Center’s website at https://www.reifcenter.org/reif-behind-the-scenes/. MACT would like to thank John and the Reif Center for allowing us to reprint this article. The Reif Center will be the location of MACT*Fest 2027.]