2009 TOUR DATES

What is the Last Tour?

In 2009, around the 50th Anniversary of the deaths of Rock and Roll's 3 favorite sons, a commemorative Tour will play at three of the original venues that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper played during that infamous January back in 1959.  Show dates are Eagles Club, Milwaukee WI (Jan 23), Capitol Theatre, Davenport IA (Jan 24) and Kato Ballroom, Mankato MN (Jan 25).  Several other shows are being lined up.  The Milwaukee and Mankato performances will be on the exact 50th Anniversary of the original shows. 

50 States in 50 Days!

The Last Tour's good friend Kevin Montgomery (whose dad happened to be Buddy Holly's best friend) has made this videologue of his trek to do 50 tour dates in 50 days! If he happens to be in your area make sure to get out there and see him!

September 2008 UPDATE

In 1999 the original 1959 Winter Dance Party Tour was replicated by a bunch of dedicated fans led by Dennis Farland.  Featured artists in 1999 included John Mueller, Ernie Valens and Paul Kruse.  Guest artists included Niki Sullivan, an original Cricket. 

In January 2009 there will be another Tour, visiting three of the original venues.  Two of those shows will be on the actual 50th Anniversary dates (Milwaukee and Mankato).  Further shows will be at the Electric Park Ballroom where Buddy played on the Summer Dance Party in 1958, and at Medina Ballroom just west of Minneapolis.  Other shows are being considered.

Artists already booked are the legendary Tommy Allsup, the fabulous Johnny Rogers, 17 year old sensation Richie Lee and Shawn Nagy’s great band The Shackshakers.  If you’re planning on going to the Surf in 2009, why not come along and enjoy these wonderful shows too? 

Thu    JANUARY 22                                   Medina Ballroom, Medina, Minnesota
Fri      JANUARY 23                                   *  Eagles Club, The Rave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sat     JANUARY 24                                   *  Capitol Theatre, Davenport, Iowa         
Sun    JANUARY 25                                   *  Kato Ballroom, Mankato, Minnesota
Fri      JANUARY 30                                   Electric Park Ballroom, Waterloo, Iowa                                                             *  original venue in 1959

As in 1999, all Tour profits will benefit the Winter Dance Party Musical Scholarships and Awards program.  Since 1999 nearly 50 High School students have graduated to universities and colleges to major or minor in music with the assistance of Winter Dance Party Musical Scholarships.

For further details contact any of the following:
Paul King,  email   paul@thelasttour.net       Jack Dreznes,  email     jack@thelasttour.net
Ian Higham,  email  ian@thelasttour.net         Dennis Farland,  email  dennis@thelasttour.net

Look out for updated tour information, show times, etc, on our website:-

In The Community

The Last Tour working in conjunction with The Winter Dance Party Scholarship and Awards Program

View past winners

In 1998, a group of dedicated Rock n’ Roll fans decided to commemorate the then forthcoming 40th anniversary of “The Day The Music Died” by raising sufficient money to establish musical scholarships and awards in memory of the four young men who were lost on February 3, 1959.  As an initial fundraiser, a touring tribute show played all eleven cities in the same order and on the same dates as the 1959 Winter Dance Party tour.  A non-profit corporation was established in the state of Iowa in 1999 to administer the scholarships and awards.  Since then, fundraising has continued with a further tour and other events, and many musical scholarships and awards have been presented in the home towns of the three Rock n’ Roll singers and their pilot.  Further musical scholarships are awarded annually in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, these being the three states visited by the 1959 Winter Dance Party tour. 

By mid 2008, nearly 50 High School students have graduated to universities and colleges to major or minor in music with the assistance of a Winter Dance Party Musical Scholarship. Download more information about the scholarship program here

1959-1999 40TH ANNIVERSARY SCHOLARSHIP FUND TOUR, INC.
(An Iowa Nonprofit Corporation)