TV star celebrates 80 years of Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly – a Legend Reborn will be coming to the Lancaster Grand Theatre next month.

Marc Robinson, the winner from the ITV show, headlines the live production, bringing to life classic hits such as Peggy Sue, That’ll be the Day and Oh Boy.

Backed by a band reminiscent of the Crickets in their 1950s heyday, Buddy Holly – A Legend Reborn is a slice of rock ’n’ roll nostalgia that ensures Buddy’s legacy of unforgettable hit songs lives on.

The show features Marc clutching a Fender Stratocaster, sporting a pair of heavy-rimmed glasses and aiming to sound exactly like Buddy in his heyday.

Buddy Holly, was on of the first artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is known to have an influence on The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Elton John.

Buddy passed away after the plane hoe was on board crashed, this was later referred to as ‘The Day the Music Died.’

Show producer Michael Taylor said: “Had Buddy not been taken from the world at such a young age, he would be celebrating his 80th birthday this year. Buddy Holly – a Legend Reborn takes an all-new show on the road to commemorate.”

After graduating from high school, Buddy pursued a full-time career in music, opening for Elvis Presley twice at the Fair Park Coliseum and also at the Cotton Club.

Pappy Dave Stone of KDAV Radio from Buddy’s home town of Lubbock was responsible for the Elvis bookings and in October he selected Buddy to open for Bill Haley and His Comets to be seen by Nashville scout Eddie Crandall. Crandall put Stone in touch with Grand Ole Opry manager Jim Denny. Stone sent Denny a demo tape to Decca Records, resulting in Buddy Holly’s first recording contract.

“Altogether Buddy recorded 109 songs,” said Marc.

“Obviously, the best-known songs like Heartbeat, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and That’ll Be The Day enjoy a warm reception, but we’ve been surprised by the depth of knowledge of our audiences.”

Marc says the cast was spurred to learn the song Valley of Tears following repeated requests for its inclusion when the show first hit the road.

The show will be coming to the Lancaster Grand Theatre on Sunday September 11 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £19.50 for adults and £18.50 for concessions, available on 01524 64695 or visit www.lancastergrand.co.uk/show.