4th Buddy Holly Week • Friday, September 14, 1979

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From Norwegian Wood:

Paul is performing live at the Hammersmith Odeon in London as part of the grand finale of the fourth annual Buddy Holly Week celebration. The 8pm concert, which features amongst others Jerry Allison, Don Everly and Sonny Curtis, is captured on videotape by Paul’s MPL Communications company and will form a major part of the short TV documentary, transmitted in America on MTV under the title of The Music Lives On, on September 8,1984. Paul is seen performing “It’s So Easy” and “Bo Diddley”, while Denny is seen singing “Raining In My Heart” with Don Everly of The Everly Brothers. Guests in the audience include former Monkee Micky Dolenz, Superman actor Christopher Reeve, DJ Alan Freeman, David Frost, former member of The Faces Ronnie Lane, former 10cc drummer Kevin Godley plus Paul’s old friend, the actor Victor Spinetti.

From Club Sandwich, N°16, 1979:

September 7th-14th is now well known as “Buddy Holly Week”. Faithful fans from all over the UK rallied ’round again this September to celebrate the FOURTH annual “Buddy Holly Week”.

It all began in 1976 when MPL initiated a commemorative week starting on September 7th because that was Buddy Holly’s birthday. Despite the fact that Buddy died 20 years ago, the interest in his music is still strong, the number of fans is ever increasing and the “Week” in September is met with even greater enthusiasm each year.

This year, for the first time, Holly fans mingled, met and memorabilia-ed their way through an afternoon/ evening get together known as the “Buddy Holly Fan Fair” at The Clarendon (Hammersmith) on Sept. 13th. There was a special exhibition scrapbook tour of Buddy’s life and music through photos, press clippings, original sheet music, recordings and other documentation. The display of material from fan clubs in the UK, USA, Australia, France and Holland — all still active today — showed that Buddy Holly, indeed, raves on. Those attending the “Fan Fair” were invited to bring along their own memorabilia collections and some true Holly-philes came with suitcases full of material to share with fellow fans. The afternoon session ended with a raffle of Holly records, books, songbooks and T-shirts.

In the evening, the “Fan Fair” crowd reassembled to welcome the guest speakers: The Crickets (Jerry Allison, Joe Mauldin & Sonny Curtis), Maria Elena (Buddy’s widow) and Bob Montgomery who was the first to record and perform with Buddy. They were joined by two friends of The Crickets, Albert Lee and Rick Grech. The guest speakers each said a few words to the fans. No need for long speeches, really, because the incredibly warm and enthusiastic response from those gathered at The Clarendon that evening said it all. Maria, Bob and The Crickets wanted to speak to the fans more personally, so they were quickly off stage and into the crowd, chatting and signing autographs. Fantastic finish to a very successful first “Fan Fair”.

The highlight of the “Week”, of course, was Friday’s concert at the Hammersmith Odeon headlined “The Crickets Plus Surprise Guest Artists”. Admission was free and tickets were given away through fan clubs and competitions in the media.

Paul and Linda hosted a pre-concert party for a select group of friends and celebrities. A quick drink, a bite to eat, perhaps even a taste of Linda’s special pea soup and it was off to the Odeon at 8.00.

Alan “Fluff” Freeman first introduced the group Fumble who set the mood with a running repertoire of Rock ‘n’ Roll numbers. Next came Mike Berry & The Outlaws with a selection of Holly hits plus Mike Berry’s own song “Tribute to Buddy Holly”. After the interval, excitement increased as Jimmy Savile introduced The Crickets. Jerry, Joe & Sonny played some of the best known Holly numbers like “Maybe Baby” and “Everyday” and a new number, “The Real Buddy Holly Story”, that Sonny wrote about the film of Buddy’s life. A group of dancers decked out in 50s gear jived on stage and it wasn’t long before members of the audience (also attired å la 50s) were dancing away in the aisles.

The stage set, it must be mentioned, was a large-as-life silver (Greyhound type) tour bus and above it colourful neon signs flashed the way to Nashville, Clovis (New Mexico) and New York.

After the Crickets’ opening numbers, it was one surprise after another. Through the doors of the bus came a series of guest artists to perform with The Crickets. The first was Albert Lee who tuned in on more Holly numbers such as “Peggy Sue” and “That’ll be the Day”. Bob Montgomery then joined the growing group to sing “Heartbeat” and “Love’s Made a Fool of You”. Don Everly was the next surprise and a big one! He may not have looked exactly the same but when he and Albert Lee did the duo “Bye Bye Love” it was hello Everly Brothers. Among the Everly favourites he performed was “Walk Right Back” by Sonny Curtis. Denny Laine was next off the bus with a remarkably Holly-like rendition of “Raining In My Heart”. More surprises still when Paul, Linda, Steve and Laurence joined in, with Paul singing “It’s So Easy”. Then, the grand finale — everyone on stage doing an extended version of “Bo Diddley” with each artist featured in a solo spot. There was just one encore, by The Crickets alone, and what better song to end “Buddy Holly Week” 1979 than “RAVE ON”.

Trudy Anderson

Last updated on August 3, 2022

Hammersmith Odeon

This was the 27th concert played at Hammersmith Odeon.

A total of 28 concerts have been played there • 1964 • Dec 24th • Dec 26th • Dec 28th • Dec 29th • Dec 30th • Dec 31st • 1965 • Jan 1st • Jan 2nd • Jan 4th • Jan 5th • Jan 6th • Jan 7th • Jan 8th • Jan 9th • Jan 11th • Jan 12th • Jan 13th • Jan 14th • Jan 15th • Jan 16th • Dec 10th • 1973 • May 25th • May 26th • May 27th • 1975 • Sep 17th • Sep 18th • 1979 • Sep 14th • Dec 29th

Setlist for the concert

2.

Bo Diddley

Written by Ellas McDaniel

Paul McCartney :

Lead vocal

Album Available on Japan Rehearsals

Album Available on 2 Buddies On Holly Days

Album Available on Wings Over Wembley