Music of Holly, Orbison comes alive through holograms
The idea of a night out on the town catching Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly tearing up the stage with a live backing band in 2022 might have some saying, “Yeah right. That’ll be the Day.” But indeed, that day has come.
“When you look at the architects of the rock ‘n’ roll era, the names that come to mind are Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly,” said Brian Becker, Chairman and CEO of Base Hologram. “Both of these men weren’t just gifted musicians, but skillful innovators who helped influence others in game-changing ways.”
The Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly Rock
‘N’ Roll Dream Tour comes to Easton’s State Theatre 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18.
The show features lifelike holograms of Orbison and Holly backed by a live band playing hits from their combined 16 platinum records, 19 gold records, and nearly two dozen Top 40 hits.
Base Hologram develops relationships with artists, cultural and educational institutions, media companies, and investors to create vivid holographic productions. They blend state-ofthe-art holographic digital and laser technology with expert musicians and theatrics, for a live show, cinematic experience, and a new way for audiences to connect with artists and icons from the past.
Some of Base Hologram productions include “Maria Callas in Concert,” “An Evening with Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Tour” and “Jack Horner’s Dinosaurs: A Holographic Adventure.”
“Working on the original Roy Orbison hologram tour was something special and to be able to do it again and add someone like Buddy Holly into the mix is very exciting,” said Base Hologram Director Eric Schaeffer. “This show will be a celebration that blends these men’s similar styles into one unforgettable evening that audiences will remember for a long time to come.”
The original Roy Orbison hologram tour had a successful run in North America and Europe in 2018.
Orbison started his first band when he was
13. He eventually signed to the Nashville-based Monument Records, where he recorded a number of top 10 hits from 1960 to 1967, including “Only the Lonely,” and “Pretty Women.” In 1982 Van Halen covered “Pretty Women” and it hit number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 — it was also borrowed for the 1990 movie, “Pretty Women,” starring Julia Roberts, and a 2018 Broadway musical.
In 1987 Orbison was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Bruce Springsteen, and in 1988 he joined The Traveling Wilburys supergroup featuring Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty. Orbison, at age 52, died of a heart attack in 1988.
Buddy Holly, another founding father of rock ‘n’ roll, started out playing country music until his life changed forever after opening for Elvis Presley in 1955. Holly altered his style and formed a band with The Crickets. They had their first hit with “That’ll Be the Day,” in 1957. On e year later, the band had seven top 40 singles including “Peggy Sue” and “Oh, Boy.”
In 1959, on a tour with Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, Holly chartered a private plane after their bus had broken down several times in the freezing Midwest weather. Minutes after takeoff, the plane crashed killing everyone inside including Holly (22). The tragedy is known as “the day the music died.”
In 1986 Holly was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Although his career lasted only two years, Holly left an enduring influence on rock ‘n’ roll music. The Beatles name is a reference to The Crickets. John Lennon’s band The Quarryman recorded a version of “That’ll Be the Day” in 1958, and Lennon recorded a cover of “Peggy Sue” on his 1975 Rock ‘n’ Roll album. Paul
McCartney purchased the publishing rights to Holly’s catalog. The Rolling Stones’ first top 10 single in 1964 was a cover of Holly’s “Not Fade Away.” In 1994, Weezer released the song “Buddy Holly” as the second single off their debut album. Holly’s songs have been covered by Los Lobos, Cat Power, The Black Keys, Elvis Costello,
Fiona Apple, and more.
“Buddy and Roy were Texans who shared mutual respect and admiration for each other’s creative musical genius and brilliant songwriting abilities,” said Holly’s widow Maria Elena Holly. “Longtime fans and a new generation of fans will now have the opportunity to see these great legends perform together.”
Rock ‘N’ Roll Dream Tour
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18
Where: 453 Northampton Street, Easton
Tickets and info: $29-$49 1-800-999-STATE https:// statetheatre.org/