Rock ’n’ roll legend lives
ROLLING Stone magazine ranked him number 13 in its list of 100 greatest artists and Buddy Holly is regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock ’n’ roll line-up of two guitars, bass and drums.
Holly was an American musician and singersongwriter who was a central figure of mid-1950s rock ’n’ roll. Born in Lubbock, Texas, to a musical family during the Great Depression, he learned to play the guitar and to sing alongside his siblings. His style was influenced by gospel music, country music, and rhythm and blues acts, and he performed in Lubbock with his friends from high school.
He made his first appearance on local television in 1952, and the following year he formed the group, “Buddy and Bob” with his friend Bob Montgomery. In 1955, after opening for Elvis Presley, Holly decided to pursue a career in music.
Now Durban audiences can enjoy the story of the pioneering rock ‘n roll legend, with the show Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story playing at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from tonight until August 7.
Holly was a major influence on later pop artists, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. He was among the first artists inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986.
Twenty-one talented high school pupils will perform in the smash-hit musical, directed by Themi Venturas.
They are backed by a top production team of Daisy Spencer (choreographer and co-director), Des Govender (vocal coach), Dawn Selby (musical director), Megan Levy (sound engineer), Michael Broderick (lighting design) Clinton and Ronel Stevenson (AV design) and Black Coffee Productions.
Pupils auditioned from around the province. They represent Durban High School, Glenwood High School, Westville Girls’ High School, Queensburgh Girls’ High School, Durban Girls’ High School, Kingsway High School, Roseway Waldorf School and Curro Hillcrest Christian Academy, among others.
Joshua Arnold from DHS plays the lead role.
The show is filled with toe tapping Buddy Holly classics like That’ll Be The Day, Everyday, Oh Boy! Maybe Baby, Peggy Sue, Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace, Ritchie Valens’s smash hit La Bamba and Chuck Berry’s Johnny B Goode.
Audiences can expect a rocking and rolling fun show that tells the story of an amazing music industry legend whose life was tragically cut short.
In 1959 Holly chartered an aircraft to travel to his next show. Soon after take-off, the plane crashed, killing Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper, and the pilot, in a tragedy later elegized by Don McLean as The Day the Music Died.
Bookings are through Computicket. Discounted performances today and tomorrow at 2.30pm and 7pm at R70.
Public performances at R120 from July 26 to August 7 at 7pm. Schools performances (R50 at 2.30pm on July 29, and August 2 and 4.
Booking for schools can be made through the company, e-mail info@catalinatheatre.com for more information.