Okoboji, Iowa: Family connection to Iowa Rock-n-Roll Museum

It’s only Rock-n-Roll to me.

The lyrics by Billy Joel have never been more poetic than when visiting the Iowa Rock-n-Roll Music Association Hall of Fame and Museum in Okoboji.

Names like Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson, Don and Phil Everly and Tommy Bolin headline the inductees.

Regional bands, such as Omaha’s The Rumbles, are members of the Hall of Fame.

But, one name took us to the Hall of Fame: Rex Zimmerline.

The name may not resonate with most readers, but for our family – my sister Denise and her children, specifically – it does. Rex was Denise’s late husband. He played in cover bands around the Midwest.

But, it was Rex’s band, The Tyde, that brought us to the Okoboji attraction. Rex and his band were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010. Unfortunately, Rex wasn’t there in person to celebrate. He died from cancer earlier that year. Denise attended the dinner celebrating the inductees.

Seeing a relative’s name listed among the best and most-talented musicians, singers and performers to have either hailed from Iowa or performed there is a true feel-good moment.

The Tyde

Rex was 21 when The Tyde formed in Burlington, Iowa. The band was known for its covers of Top 40 and psychedelic rock artist, such as Steppenwolf, Vanilla Fudge and The Doors.

During their time playing teen clubs and bars in southeast Iowa, western Illinois and northwest Missouri, The Tyde developed a loyal following, often performing three weekends each month.

In 1968, The Tyde won the “Battle of the Bands” in Burlington. They received more than a trophy; they got to open for American Breed – known for the hit song, “Bend me, Shape me” – at the Burlington Memorial Auditorium.

Rex and his bandmates recorded a single, “Lost,” on the Fredlo label. They self-distributed the record.

Unfortunately, family and other obligations led to the group disbanding in 1969. Rex’s bandmates with The Tyde were Al Nielsen, Steve Brown, Terrill McCall, Steve Buster and Tim Howe.

Rex performed in bands until the early 2000s. Lead singer. Lead guitarist. Give him any genre, and the guy could play it.

Iowa ballrooms

While our visit to the Hall of Fame was personal, the amount of music history in the building is mind-blowing. Between artists, events and ballrooms, the Iowa Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame is an impressive walk through the state’s musical history.

Ballrooms were major attractions during the 1940s and ’50s, especially. Rock music was in its infancy, clergy claimed it was the music of Satan, parents forbade their kids from listening to it. None of that mattered to teenagers and twenty-somethings, who enjoyed the beat, sounds and vibe of the music.

Ballrooms were perfect for “sock hops.” Posters would announce concerts at places like the Surf in Clear Lake, Roof Garden in Arnolds Park (Okoboji) and The Depot in Shenandoah. Admission could be 50 cents to a dollar. What wasn’t publicly announced were the performers, out of concern for public backlash by Rock opponents. Imagine seeing acts like Johnny Cash, all for a few cents.

Iowa’s ballrooms were part of a unique network. From Keokuk in the southeast to Fort Dodge, on to Arnolds Park, acts would perform for a night, then move on to the next ballroom concert.

The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake is likely the best-known, for all the wrong reasons. It was the site of the last performances of Holly, Valens and Richardson, who died, along with their pilot, in a plane crash Feb. 2, 1959, after appearing at the Winter Dance Party.

The plane, piloted by 21-year-old Steve Peterson, was supposed to take the stars to Fargo, ND. It crashed in a farm field outside of Clear Lake shortly after taking off from the Mason City airport. It’s been referred to as “The Day the Music Died.”

Arnolds Park is probably the second-best known ballroom in Iowa. It, along with the Surf, continues to host concerts.

A Styx concert was the primary reason for our trip to Okoboji. The band performed at Arnolds Park’s outdoor arena. It was my third time seeing the band, and my traveling partner’s first. While I’ve enjoyed each show, the Arnolds Park concert may have been my favorite Styx performance, mostly because the band entertained non-stop for almost two hours. No opening act.

While our trip to the Iowa Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame involved a personal connection, it’s definitely worth a visit because of its first-class presentation on the musical history and influence on the region. With free admission, the Hall of Fame is an outstanding venue to learn the stories behind music in Iowa, stories of the state’s best artists and soaking in memorabilia.