The Big Buddy Show
"It's a Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party"
Glenn Mitchell is Buddy Holly
In the early hours of Feb 3rd 1959, following a concert at the Surf ballroom in Clearlake Iowa, Buddy Holly along with fellow rock 'n' roll stars, JP the Big Bopper Richardson and Richie Valens chartered a small aeroplane to take them to their next venue ahead of the rest of the members of the 'winter dance party' tour.

This decision to go ahead of the other members was to be a fatefull one, for just Four minutes into the flight the small light aircraft crashed into the hard snow covered Iowa corn field killing all on board.

The world awoke to the news that three of the nations top Rock 'n' Roll stars had all perished.

Buddy Holly was in the prime of his recording life, just what he would have gone on to achive had he lived will now never be known but his contribution to popular music has lived on, his influence is all around, with major artistes paying homage to Buddy, Paul McCartney was such a huge fan that he bought the rights to the Holly song catalogue.   
The Rolling Stones had a major hit with 'not fade away' and guitarist Keith Richards is often quoted as saying he has used a few of Buddy's guitar licks in concert and on record.

Modern acts have included Elvis Costello, Jarvis Cocker who have a more than passing resembalance to the image of Buddy Holly.

Buddy Holly's music has not faded away but has become ingrained into our culture as a rock 'n' roll hero of the Fifties, Elvis did fade away in his later years, but Buddy by his unfortunate and untimely death will for ever be that vibrant energic rock 'n' roller.

Now over Forty years after his death his music and personality is being brought back to life, his appeal has not diminished the West end musical 'Buddy' has just completed a run of over 15 years in London and is now embarking on a nation wide tour.
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