2010 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

Eleven bands, five solo performers, three ballrooms, a disc jockey, and a radio station will be honored with induction into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association (IRRMA) Hall of Fame on Labor Day weekend of 2010.

The late Jiles P. Richardson’s mark on the music scene is still felt throughout the world. Known as The Big Bopper, he died in the infamous plane crash near Clear Lake nearly 51 years ago. His son, JP Jr., says this honor means much to his family. “We have a fondness for the people in Iowa. I go back and play all over Iowa every year so to have them honor him at this time is really special to me.” Eastern Iowa disc jockey Bob Hale, the master of ceremonies at that memorable last concert in the Surf Ballroom, will also enter the Hall of Fame.

The out-of-state band honored this year is The Rising Suns from Kansas. Radio station KUOO of Spirit Lake will mark its 25th anniversary during this induction year. Council Bluffs’ Sparkle Moore and Sioux City ’s Cathy Sandage enter the Hall in the Women Who Rocked category.

The full list of honorees by region includes:

Northwest:  Ski Band (Fort Dodge), Ridotto Ballroom in the now non-existent town of Ridotto (north of Pocahontas), Upson Downs (Spirit Lake) and KUOO Radio.

Southwest:  Larry Lee (Council Bluffs), Elvin Bishop (Elliott) and Moore.

West River:  Lockwood, Denny Hemingson, DVC and Sandage (all of Sioux City ).

Northeast: Rubber Band (West Union), Mississippi Band (Dubuque) and Bob Hale. Southeast – MoJos (Grinnell), Library Ballroom in the now non-existent town of Cou Falls (south of Cedar Rapids) and TYDE (Burlington).

Central Region:  Sunday Social (Des Moines), Riviera Ballroom in Des Moines’ Riverview Park and Sweet Nothin’ (Ames).

James Freeman (The Five Satins) of Norwalk and Dennis Albee (Brillo) of Mount Pleasant will be presented with the IRRMA Dan Matousek Lifetime Achievement Award. The IRRMA Spirit Award is new in 2010. The first recipients will be Richie Lee from Des Moines, Norm and Jeanette Schwartz of Hinton, BB & the Bullfrogs from Spirit Lake .

The 2010 IRRMA Hall of Fame Spectacular induction weekend activities will take place at Arnolds Park on Saturday and Sunday, September 4th and 5th.