The Kato Ballroom’s connection to the “Day the Music Died”

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Tuesday marks 67 years since Buddy Holly along with Ritchie Valens, J.P. Richardson and their pilot Roger Peterson were all killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

The trio was in the middle of a midwest tour, and played at the Kato Ballroom just a week before the crash.

The ballroom to this day keeps photos from their last appearance and the backstage bench that the musicians sat on to prepare for the show is still there, unchanged.

Owners of the ballroom say that the event is a significant moment in Mankato’s history, and is something they reflect on often.

“The ballroom was built in 1946 we predate Buddy Holly by a good ten years, so it’s just a part of our history, a part of Mankato’s history and it will always be part of this town,” said Tania Cordes, Kato Ballroom owner.

The accident has since become known as “The Day the Music Died”.

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