San Jose Stage Company announced it will present a Buddy Holly Tribute Concert at the legendary California Theatre in downtown San Jose.
Organizers tell us there will only be three performances. As a special benefit performance for the Stage, the stories and music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valenz, and the Big Bopper will be performed. Not everyone knows that Waylon Jennings had a role in “the day the music died.”
“Buddy Holly, like Elvis, broke the rules of popular music and laid the foundation of rock and roll in a musical rebellion that continues to this day”
The Buddy Holly Tribute Concert is the story of February 2, 1959, told through music as well as the narrative of Waylon Jennings, who gave up his seat on the airplane that crashed. Waylon will tell the story of the musicians, the music and the legend as it really happened.
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Randall King, director of the Buddy Holly concert says of this show, “Buddy Holly, like Elvis, broke the rules of popular music and laid the foundation of rock and roll in a musical rebellion that continues to this day”
“Without Buddy and the Crickets, there would have been no Beatles.” Buddy is the guy who changed made music what it is today. The history of the evening that he died is legendary and this concert will tell the true story,” added King.
The lead role of Buddy Holly will be played by Travis Poelle. San Jose Stage Company originally co-produced Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, which ran for eleven weeks at The Stage before transferring to San Francisco. Poelle received critical praise for his work as Buddy.
Also from San Jose is actor/singer Manuel Romero, who plays Ritchie Valenz. Also getting raves for this role, Romero has recently released a CD and has won a Latin Grammy.
Buddy Holly’s celebrated quote says it all, “If anyone asks you what kind of music you play, tell him ‘pop.’ Don’t tell him ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ or they won’t even let you in the hotel.”
Performances are Thursday, June 28 at 8 PM; Friday, June 29 with opening remarks and concert at 8 PM; and Sunday, July 1 at 3 PM. Tickets are $75 and $100.