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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
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Everybody knows the music of Buddy Holly, we grew up with that excellent rock and roll sound, his amazing voice and his iconic thick rimmed glasses. The musical version of his life is very much like a concert with the story speckled through it, although we end up in concert halls in different places around America according to where he was playing at the time: KDAV Radio Studio, and Apollo Theatre in Harlem. The wonderful musicians in this production bring the music alive in the most fantastic way.
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Along with all the classic hits: That’ll Be The Day, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, and Maybe Baby we also found out the story behind songs such as Peggy Sue. It did have a different name but the drummer was trying to “get it on” with a Peggy Sue so they renamed the song to help him in his quest! Buddy Holly is played brilliantly by Christopher Weeks and he seems a very good fit for what I’ve seen before of the real thing, with the little infected laugh and his notable dress sense. We are also treated to songs from some of Buddy’s musical contemporaries that performed at the same time as him. This includes the infamous Iowa Clear Lake concert with Richie Valens (played by Miguel Angel) and The Big Bopper (Christopher Chandler).
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Most people are probably aware that Buddy Holly died in a plane crash with these two fellow singers. Part way through the concert with them in the musical it suddenly occurred to me what was going to happen next, and that Buddy Holly was leaving behind his one true love – who is pregnant with their child. From gleefully dancing in the aisles, suddenly the curtains closed and there was just a solitary guitar on the stage, with the news announcement about the plane crash. There were lots of mutterings from the audience as they suddenly realised what had happened and what that signified.
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Of course as with all great musicians the music lives on and everyone bounded back onto stage, respectfully at first and then partying in that true rock and roll style! We were all back up on our feet singing, dancing, clapping our hands and fully enjoying the music that will live on forever.
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The Buddy Holly Story is one not to be missed, a fantastic production and a fitting tribute to such a spectacular musician. The standing ovation is a fitting rating for this amazing musical.
Further information: https://buddythemusical.com/
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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