Buddy Holly’s legacy lives on in Glasgow-bound musical

Don McLean famously proclaimed the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly was the day the music died.

But, as the musical based on the tragic singer’s short life celebrates its 25th year on stage by returning to Scotland, the star’s legacy is unlikely to ever fade away.

Buddy joins an elite number of musicals to have reached its silver ann-iversary and still be going strong.

The show’s director Matt Salisbury has been with the company in various guises since it opened in Plymouth 25 years ago.

He never expected the production, which has now been seen by 22 million people worldwide, to have the impact and success it’s enjoyed.

“We didn’t know if it would last three weeks or three months,” the 55-year-old admitted.

“Buddy set the template for a lot of the shows that followed. It was unusual for the actors to be playing the instruments up on stage and no one was quite sure if it would work.

“We were full of trepidation, but on that opening night the audience was on its feet dancing and we did encore after encore. It was at that point we realised we had something.

“We try to take them back to 1959, to make them forget where they are and to think they are really watching Buddy. By the end, it’s like a rock concert.”

Plenty of celebrities have enjoyed the show too.

“We’ve had everyone from the 1990 England World Cup squad to Paul McCartney to Princess Diana and the two Princes when they were young.

“Seeing Buddy’s widow, Maria Elena, visibly crying on opening night because she was so happy at how Buddy was being represented was also a memorable moment.”

Maria Elena had been sceptical about bringing Buddy’s life to the stage, but she realised his story should be heard.

Maria added: “When we opened the show we never imagined Buddy’s music would still be rocking stages and entertaining audiences around the world week-in, week-out 25 years later.

“I believe this is testament to a great show, the first of its kind, and to the enduring appeal of Buddy Holly and what he represents a youthful energy, huge talent and creativity, combined with a determination to make a lasting impression in this world.”

Buddy is at the King’s in Glasgow from June 16 to 21.