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Daily interviews with a local focus airing at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday on Northland Morning.

Community Connection: The Past and Future of the Duluth Armory

Large, empty room lit sporadically by yellow light; scaffolding in the background
Minnesota Historical Society Heritage Preservation Department

One of Buddy Holly's final performances before his tragic death was at the Duluth Armory. On January 26th, the Duluth Armory is hosting a Buddy Holly Tribute performance featuring Todd Eckhart and his band. Tickets are available through the Duluth Armory website.

The event will take place at Clyde Iron Works, which beckons the question: when will the annual event be at the Armory?

"A building permit from the City of Duluth was issued three weeks ago," says Michelle Miller, Co-Executive Director of the Duluth Armory. "Full blown construction begins in July." The long-dormant venue has been kept from the demolition chopping block since 1999 when a group of concerned citizens saw the potential that the old building still had.

If construction stays on track, Miller is hopeful to have events at the Armory in late 2026. The hope is to host the Buddy Holly Tribute in early 2027 in the very place that the artist himself performed back in 1959.

You can hear Community Connection every Tuesday and Thursday at 8am on Northland Morning.

Luke Moravec is the host for Northland Morning on The North 103.3. He’s also a local actor, musician and writer. He loves puzzles, riddles and fun mysteries.
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