TELEGRAPH & Argus critic Peter Holdsworth was less than impressed when Buddy Holly and the Crickets performed at the Gaumont on March 9, 1958.
Reviewing the concert, Mr Holdsworth wrote: “Audiences are in search of the momentary gimmick, of which they tire whenever another novelty is introduced. At least it would seem so from the fanatical reception given to a screeching guitar player heading the bill at the Gaumont last night.
"I would have defied anyone in the audience to tell me what 70 per cent of the words which issued from the lips of this foot-stamping, knee-falling musician. Where on Earth is showbusiness heading?"
More than 60 years after Buddy Holly's appearance at the Gaumont, the rock 'n' roll pioneer's spirit is alive next door, at the Alhambra theatre, in the Buddy Holly Story - the smash hit show that set the jukebox musical standard.
Some members of the Alhambra audience would have seen Buddy Holly at the Gaumont. "He was wonderful! I kept the programme - but my mum threw it away," one lady told me in the interval. By the end of the show the audience were on their feet, dancing to songs of their youth.
This lively show depicts the rise to fame of the boy from Lubbock, Texas, who in just 18 months changed the face of popular music - influencing the likes of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Costello.
The show begins with Buddy and pals Joe B Mauldin and Jerry Allison on stage in Lubbuck, playing country crowd-pleaser Rose of Texas, before tearing into rock 'n' roll with Rip It Up. After an ill-fated stint with Decca Records, Holly is championed by producer Norman Petty, and That'll Be The Day is unleashed on radios in America, where the mainstream was still wary of rock 'n' roll, and tops the charts.
As Holly's story unfolds, the hits - including Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, Fade Away, Heartbeat and Raining In My Heart - come thick and fast. With a sparse set dominated by a talented cast of actors/musicians, the show is essentially a recording session and two concerts: the Crickets' groundbreaking 1957 appearance at the Harlem Apollo and Holly's fateful night at the Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, on February 3, 1959, when he lost his life, aged 22.
AJ Jenks was terrific as Buddy; a high energy singer and accomplished guitarist, capturing the endearing spirit of a frontman still very much loved.
Great performances too from Joe Butcher as Joe B Mauldin - his dancing on the double bass was a joy - and Josh Haberfield as Jerry Allison.
The second act is laced with poignancy - backstage at the Surf Ballroom there's banter between Holly, the Big Bopper (ironing his own shirt - a nice touch) and Richie Valens. Later that evening the three of them would, of course, board the Beechcraft Bonanza that crashed into a field shortly after take off, killing all three of them and the pilot.
Excellent performances from Miguel Angel as Richie Valens - aged just 17 when a coin toss landed him his seat on the plane - and Christopher Chandler as the Big Bopper, belting out Chantilly Lace.
Also shining bright in a sparking cast were Thomas Mitchells as Norman Petty, Daniella Agredo Piper as Buddy's wife Maria Elena, Stephanie Cremona as Vi Petty and Laura-Dene Perryman and Samuelle Durojaiye as the Apollo singers.
The Buddy Holly Story may not tell the whole story - we see nothing of Buddy's upbringing or his conflict with Petty - but as a celebration of a rock 'n' roll hero and his remarkable legacy, it's a hugely entertaining crowd-pleaser of a show.
* Runs at the Alhambra until Saturday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here