Twin from famous Buddy Holly photo at 1959 Winter Dance Party passes away

One of the twins famously photographed with Buddy Holly in 1959 at the Riverside Ballroom has passed away at the age of 84. Joan Matti, formerly known as Joan Bender, died on August 14 in Rothschild, as stated in her obituary. She and her sister, Judy Bender, traveled to Green Bay from Wausau to attend the 1959 Winter Dance Party featuring Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson (“The Big Bopper”). The twins frequently performed in their local area as The Jayettes with The Runabouts, a group that included Joan’s future husband, Larry Matti, on saxophone.

Prior to the tragedy on February 3, 1959, when Holly, Valens, and Richardson perished in a plane crash after a concert, Larry Matti captured a snapshot of the twins with a smiling Buddy Holly at the Riverside Ballroom. These photos, referred to as “the Matti photos,” are revered in the Holly community and serve as a poignant reflection of rock ‘n’ roll history. Despite later photos surfacing from the final Clear Lake show, the Green Bay images remain a captivating tribute to the Winter Dance Party era.

Mark Steuer, a Green Bay Winter Dance Party historian and collector, recalls his first encounter with Joan in 1988 when she and Larry welcomed him into their Wausau home to share their memorabilia and photographs. A lasting friendship of 37 years followed, marked by visits, conversations, and annual meet-ups at the Winter Dance Party event. Described as a kind and welcoming individual, Joan charmed those around her with her warmth and generosity. She continued to attend the Winter Dance Party gatherings even after Larry’s passing in 2010, delighting fans and sharing her memories of that fateful night in 1959.

Joan leaves behind three children, a sister, a brother, and three grandsons. Her legacy as one of the twins caught in a moment of music history endures, reminding fans and historians alike of the enduring impact of the Winter Dance Party tragedy. The Bender twins’ gentle presence and humble nature at Holly-related events have been fondly remembered by those who crossed paths with them, highlighting their understanding of their place in musical history without seeking special treatment.

In conclusion, Joan Matti’s passing marks the end of a remarkable era in rock ‘n’ roll history, immortalized in the iconic photos taken at the Riverside Ballroom in 1959. As fans and historians reflect on the legacy left by Joan and her sister, the memory of that fateful night lives on in the hearts of those touched by the music and tragedy of the Winter Dance Party.