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Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & Big Bopper Exhibit Launches at Final Venue From the Night They Died
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & Big Bopper Exhibit Launches at Final Venue From the Night They Died originally appeared on Parade. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were tragically killed in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, after playing at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. Just after take off, their plane crashed in a field a few miles north of Clear Lake, and all three musicians plus the pilot were killed instantly. That date came to be known as "the day the music died," immortalized in Don McLean's hit song "American Pie." The Surf Ballroom announced on Wednesday, August 6, that on what would have been Buddy Holly's 88th birthday, the venue is debuting a first-of-its-kind tribute to the rock 'n roll icons called Not Fade Away: The Immersive Surf Ballroom Experience. The opening activities start on Thursday, September 4, with a book signing, and then on Sunday, September 7 (Holly's birthday), the exhibit will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The exhibit will be in the newly completed Music Enrichment Center (MEC). It is described as a "transformative, multi-sensory journey through the birth of rock 'n' roll and the timeless sound that changed American music forever," using "immersive digital storytelling, historic artifacts, restored audio, and original archival materials."The never-before-seen artifacts on display include: Les Paul innovations: One of only two existing prototypes for the solid body electric guitar called 'The Log,' hand-built by Les Paul in approximately 1937 Les Paul's original handwritten plans for the very first 8-track tape recording device Les Paul's original 8-track console, which revolutionized modern recording 1970 custom Gibson guitar owned and played by Les Paul Les Paul's signature groundbreaking 'Paulverizer,' one of only three in existence Celebrity musician artifacts: Guitar signed by Buddy Holly while on the 1959 Winter Dance Party Tour Les Paul guitar owned and played by Slash, former lead guitarist of Guns 'n' Roses Les Paul guitar owned and played by Warren Haynes, formerly of the Allman Brothers Stratocaster signed by legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy BB King signed "Lucille" guitar Willie Nelson signed guitar Don McLean signed American Pie LP and guitar Accordion owned and played by Lawrence Welk Leather top hat worn by Slash Personal effects of Holly, Valens, and Richardson: Microphone used by Buddy Holly at his last performance at The Surf Ballroom in 1959 Red corduroy jacket Buddy Holly wore during his last performance in San Antonio, TX Original camera that was used to take the Pulitzer-nominated photos of the fatal plane crash on Feb 3, 1959, that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson Hand-tooled leather wallet owned by Ritchie Valens and recovered from the crash Briefcase owned by J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson and recovered from the crash A pair of cufflinks owned by Buddy Holly and recovered from the crash Ritchie Valens original Del-Fi Gold Record for "La Bamba" and "Donna" Upright bass from the final performance of Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets'Not Fade Away reflects the power of public-private partnership and our shared commitment to preserving and promoting Clear Lake's unique place in American music history,' said Clear Lake Mayor Nelson Crabb in a statement. 'This project brings national attention, educational opportunity, and cultural significance to our community. It's an investment not only in heritage, but in our future.' 'This is a moment years in the making,' added Brian Luallen, CEO of the Surf Ballroom & Museum. 'We've combined cutting-edge technology with the soul of rock 'n' roll to tell a story that is as moving as it is unforgettable. 'Not Fade Away' honors the legacy of the artists who helped define a generation—and reminds us why their music still matters today.' 'This isn't just about music,' said Jeff Nicholas, President of North Iowa Cultural Center and Museum's Board of Directors. 'It's about memory, emotion, and the voices that continue to echo across generations. With 'Not Fade Away,' we're creating a space where history comes alive — and where our children and grandchildren can understand just how powerful one song, one show, or one moment can be.' For tickets and more information about the exhibit, check out the official website. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & Big Bopper Exhibit Launches at Final Venue From the Night They Died first appeared on Parade on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Gailard Sartain, Character Actor and ‘Hee Haw' Regular, Dies at 81
Gailard Sartain, a character actor who moved easily between comedy, as a cast member on the variety series 'Hee Haw'; music, as the Big Bopper singing 'Chantilly Lace' in 'The Buddy Holly Story'; and drama, as a racist sheriff in 'Mississippi Burning,' died on Thursday at his home in Tulsa, Okla. He was 81. His wife, Mary Jo (Regier) Sartain, confirmed the death but did not specify a cause. Mr. Sartain spent 20 years on 'Hee Haw,' the country equivalent of 'Laugh-In,' hosted by Buck Owens and Roy Clark, which combined cornpone sketches with music. The characters he played included a bumbling store employee, a chef at a truck stop and Officer Bull Moose. At the same time, he also developed a movie career that began with 'Nashville' (1975), Robert Altman's improvisational drama set against the background of the country music industry. In that film, Mr. Sartain played a man at an airport lunch counter talking to Keenan Wynn. 'I just said, 'Ask Keenan what he's doing in Nashville,' and he did,' Alan Rudolph, the assistant director of the film, said in an interview. But Mr. Rudolph saw something special in Mr. Sartain and went on to cast him in nine films he directed over the next two decades, including 'Roadie' (1980) and 'Endangered Species' (1982). 'I only wish I could have fit him into another nine,' he said. 'Gailard had a certain silly magic about him. Most of my films are serious and comedic at the same time. In 'Roadie,' he was opposite Meat Loaf, as beer truck drivers, and that was about 700 pounds in the front of a beer truck. That should be funny.' One of Mr. Sartain's most notable roles was in 'Mississippi Burning' (1988), Alan Parker's film about the F.B.I.'s investigation into the murders in 1964 of the civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, who were buried in an earthen dam. Mr. Sartain played Ray Stuckey, a county sheriff whose deputy was among the Ku Klux Klansmen who killed the men. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Original jukebox musical returns to Mayflower Theatre stage in 2026
The original jukebox musical will return to Mayflower Theatre in a year's time. Featuring a multi-talented cast of actor-musicians, Buddy presents two terrific hours of music with over 20 of Buddy Holly's greatest hits, including such timeless classics as That'll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, Everyday and Rave On. With the Big Bopper's Chantilly Lace and Ritchie Valens' La Bamba, rip-roaring versions of Shout and Johnny B. Goode completing a stellar musical line-up, Buddy is a not-to-be-missed evening of family-friendly entertainment with tickets on sale on Friday. (Image: Hamish Gill f8creates)READ MORE: Practically perfect musical Mary Poppins returns to Southampton this summer Buddy has enjoyed phenomenal success, playing a record-breaking 4,900 performances over 614 weeks on tour in the UK and Ireland, as well as 5,822 performances over 728 weeks in London's West End. Loved by critics and audiences alike, Buddy tells the enduring story of the musical icon's meteoric rise from his Southern rockabilly beginnings to international stardom, culminating in his legendary final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death on February 3rd, 1959 at the age of just 22. This became known as 'The Day the Music Died' as Don McLean called it in his song American Pie. In 18 short months the bespectacled boy from Lubbock, Texas, revolutionised the face of contemporary music, and would influence everyone from The Beatles to The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen. Writer/Executive Producer Alan Janes said: "It really is incredible, over 35 years since we first opened, the show is back still spreading joy to every corner of the country. "This is testament to a wonderful, extremely talented cast and some of the finest rock n roll tunes ever written by the one and only Buddy Holly." Buddy has inspired a generation of multi-million ticket selling jukebox musicals yet remains a true original and musical phenomenon. Seen by over 22 million theatregoers since it first opened in London's West End in 1989, it continues to have audiences dancing in the aisles across the globe! Tickets for the show, which runs from May 21 to 23 2026, are on general sale on Friday from or 023 8071 1811.
