The Rave/Eagles Ballroom

Buddy Holly played one of his last gig on Jan. 23, 1959, at what is now the Rave/Eagles Club, Holly died a week later when his plane crashed after a show in Iowa. While no one knows for sure who is the reported ghost haunting the basement’s swimming pool—many musicians have reported hearing or seeing a presence—it’s nice to imagine it could be Mr. Holly.  In fact, on the upper level is a memorial to him: a pastel portrait, color photos and fliers from the shows in Milwaukee and Iowa.

The pool room (above) in the basement area; (which is said to be kept locked at all times) and The Eagles Ballroom are the most haunted rooms in the building, though paranormal activity has been reported all over the building.  “All the rock stars who have performed here have seen a ghost.” a worker was quoted as saying.  In various rooms of the club, bands have heard a presence or seen an entity watching them play in various rooms of the club, usually during rehearsal, or when not many people are around.

People hear voices coming from places where no one living is there.  Happy sounds of children playing or the distressful noise of children crying unhappily are heard as well.  An entity of a little girl roams around the old hallways behind the coat-check area in the basement.  Her laughter is heard. Her presence sometimes gives the living a brief sense of dread.  Staff who were cleaning up after closing hours have seen entities of children playing in a group.

The Ballroom hosts the most popular acts, and its impressive history includes Bob Dylan (six times), The White Stripes, Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, Kings of Leon, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Pearl Jam to name a few….

“The Rave is officially not speculating on that. As far as we know, no rock stars have died here.”

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