Buddy celebrations
BUDDY Holly fans are determined the legendary rock and roll legend's memory will Not Fade Away - as they commemorated the 50th anniversary of his performances in South Yorkshire.
Fans from all over the north descended on South Yorkshire for an event in tribute to Buddy, whose hits include Peggy Sue, Not Fade Away, Rave and Raining In My Heart.
The event, at the Regent Hotel in Doncaster, commemorated the 50th anniversary of Buddy's appearance at Sheffield City Hall and Doncaster's Gaumont cinema.
Buddy played two shows at Sheffield City Hall in March 1958, but the star reportedly did not enjoy performing because the audience was sitting in front and behind the stage.
The singer also performed with his backing group The Crickets at the Gaumont on March 17 1958, sharing the bill with Des O'Connor, and the less well known Gary Miller, The Tanner Sisters and Ronnie Keene and His Orchestra. During his stay in Doncaster, he stayed at the Danum Hotel and visited the races.
Enthusiasts browsed through memorabilia stalls at the event which included copies of the singers records from the 1950s and programmes and posters from his shows.
Gordon Scott, who travelled from Sheffield for the event, said: "I've just loved his music ever since I saw the film the Buddy Holly Story - it all started from there for me.
"I love all rock 'n' roll really - right up to the Clash and the Pistols - it's just a drug isn't it?
"Strangely, I'm not a huge Elvis fan - I think with Buddy and Elvis it's one or the other somehow."
Barnsley-based John Firminger, aged 63, who organised the tribute day, said: "Strangely he was much more popular over here than he was in the States and he certainly made a huge impression on Paul McCartney - he still owns Holly's publishing rights in the US.
"I fell in love with his music, like a lot of other kids did in the 50s - rock 'n' roll liberated us.
"Buddy had such a distinctive style - he brought light and shade to the music and, importantly, he did it all on his own.
"Next year marks the 50th anniversary of his death and something should be done to mark that - today's been very successful, so hopefully we'll do another event in Doncaster."
One of the stars of the Doncaster show was Buddy-double Ian Morley, from Rotherham.
"I got into rock 'n' roll when I was a kid," he said. "I was in a skiffle band with my brothers, so I was just brought up with it really.
"I've been doing Buddy Holly tributes for about 16 years now and there's still an awful lot of interest in the shows.
"I've met Sonny Curtis, who was one of the Crickets, and he says I'm good, so I must be doing something right!"
Buddy scored a string of hits in the UK before his untimely death in an plane crash, along with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper on February 3 1959.
His works and innovations were copied by contemporaries and later musicians, notably The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and exerted a profound influence on popular music.
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He was also one of the very first musicians to produce his own recording sessions.
In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Holly number 13 on its list of the 100 greatest artists of all time.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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