That'll Be the Day - celebrating 80th birthday of a legend

The show will be at the White Rock on Friday March 25 at 7.30pm

Marc Robinson, a winner from ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes show, headlines the spectacular live production, bringing to life classic hits such as Peggy Sue, That’ll be the Day and Oh Boy.

Backed by a band reminiscent of the Crickets in their Fifties heyday, Buddy Holly – A Legend Reborn is an authentic slice of rock ’n’ roll nostalgia that ensures Buddy’s incredible legacy of unforgettable hit songs lives on.

Show producer Michael Taylor believes Marc, clutching a Fender Stratocaster, and sporting a pair of heavy-rimmed glasses sounds exactly like Buddy in his heyday.

Boasting a repertoire of more than 30 of Buddy’s greatest hits, Buddy Holly – a Legend Reborn includes some hidden gems as the show takes music fans back to the legendary performer’s big break. After graduating from high school, Buddy pursued a full-time career in music, opening for Elvis Presley twice at the Fair Park Coliseum and also at the Cotton Club. Pappy Dave Stone of KDAV Radio from Buddy’s home town of Lubbock was responsible for the Elvis bookings and in October he selected Buddy to open for Bill Haley and His Comets to be seen by Nashville scout Eddie Crandall. Crandall put Stone in touch with Grand Ole Opry manager Jim Denny. Stone sent Denny a demo tape to Decca Records, resulting in Buddy Holly’s first recording contract.

“Altogether Buddy recorded 109 songs,” says Marc. “Obviously, the best-known songs like Heartbeat, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and That’ll Be The Day enjoy a warm reception, but we’ve been surprised by the depth of knowledge of our audiences.”

Indeed, Marc says that the cast was spurred to learn the song Valley of Tears following repeated requests for its inclusion when the show first hit the road.

Tickets: £21 from box office on 01424 462288 or www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk