Is there anyone here who remembers the Buddy Holly & The Crickets Concert held at the Sheffield City Hall in 1958? More than anything else, I was blown away by the sound of his guitar. After the show there were scores of concert-goers who waited for what seemed like several hours at the stage door waiting for him to come out. But he didn't show. The crowd eventually dispersed until there were just two of us loyal fans left. We were also about to head home when Mr. Holly, his manager and the manager's wife, appeared from 'around the corner'. For some reason, I don't recall whether the two 'Crickets' were with them. I feel that they were not.

This was before Buddy Holly became 'a music legend' so we had no inkling at that time how his songs would become a part of music history. He hadn't really found a niche in popular music at that particular stage of his career. It was the following year (1959) that he perished in that airplane crash and, as a consequence, took on 'legend' status.

Anyway, the two of us fans spoke to Mr. Holly for about 15 minutes. I remember asking him about his fantastic 'horny-looking' guitar (a new concept in guitar design at that time) and the piercing 'clangy' sound that it produced. He really seemed to appreciate my interest in his music and he was polite and friendly. He also told me when I asked that his guitar had cost him $300.00. That sounded like an awful lot of money back then. It was only 15 minutes but I developed the impression from our brief meeting that he was a rather shy person when not on the stage.

Again ...is there anyone who recalls that concert? Is the other kid who persevered with me for oh, so long at the stage door reading this?

I dont remeber it, but i wish I had been there. That is something you must treasure for ever. To see the Great Man himself. All modern music is based on his talent

Hi Sputnik boy, I was there with my mate, Pete. We sat on the front row of the balcony, to right of the stage. All the Crickets didn't show because of visa problems. As you say the sound was fantastic. Do they call the guitar a Stratocruiser? It was a crying shame that Buddy passed away the following year. I think he would have been at least as big as Elvis if he had been able to carry on.
We never waited to see Buddy after the concert, but the memories are etched forever and his music was a legacy in the hall of original Rock and Roll.

A relative in my family attended - I think they mentioned that Des O Connor was the singer/compere for the evening - is this correct?

Like Artisan, I wish I'd been lucky enough to have been there. I know a couple of people who were there though and they both treasure the memory. I was too young at the time but I've grown up to love Buddy Holly and Elvis. What an absolute tragedy. Obviously there is nothing to compare with the real thing but I've seen the tribute band Hollydayz at the City Hall. Very good.

As was the norm back then, Buddy played two shows on the same day in Sheffield on March 4, 1958. A week or two later, he even played Doncaster!

Support acts were The Montanas, The Tanner Sisters, Gary Miller and Ronnie Keene & his Orchestra. As already mentioned, Des O'Connor was the compere.

Here are the complete tour dates:

March 1, 1958 - Trocadero - Elephant & Castle, London (2 shows)
March 2, 1958 - Gaumont State - Kilburn, London (2 shows)
March 3, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Southampton, Hampshire (2 shows)
March 4, 1958 - City Hall - Sheffield, Yorkshire (2 shows)
March 5, 1958 - Globe Theatre - Stockton-On-Tees, Durham (2 shows)
March 6, 1958 - City Hall - Newcastle-On-Tyne, Northumberland (2 shows)
March 7, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Wolverhampton, Staffordshire (2 shows)
March 8, 1958 - Odeon Theatre - Nottingham (3 shows)
March 9, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Bradford, Yorkshire (2 shows)
March 10, 1958 - Town Hall - Birmingham, Warwickshire (2 shows)
March 11, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Worcester (2 shows)
March 12, 1958 - Davis Theatre - Croydon (2 shows)
March 13, 1958 - Grenada Theatre - East Ham, London(2 shows)
March 14, 1958 - Grenada Theatre - Woolwich, London (2 shows)
March 15, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Ipswich, Suffolk (3 shows)
March 16, 1958 - De Montfort Hall - Leicester (2 shows)
March 17, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Doncaster, Yorkshire (2 shows)
March 18, 1958 - Ritz Theatre - Wigan, Lancashire (2 shows)
March 19, 1958 - Regal Cinema - Hull, Yorkshire (2 shows)
March 20, 1958 - Philharmonic Hall - Liverpool (2 shows)
March 21, 1958 - Granada Theatre - Walthamstowe, London (2 shows)
March 22, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Salisbury, Wiltshire (2 shows)
March 23, 1958 - Colston Hall - Bristol, Gloucestershire (2 shows)
March 24, 1958 - Capitol Cinema - Cardiff (2 shows)
March 25, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Hammersmith, London (2 shows)

Hi Sputnik boy, I was there with my mate, Pete. We sat on the front row of the balcony, to right of the stage. All the Crickets didn't show because of visa problems. As you say the sound was fantastic. Do they call the guitar a Stratocruiser? It was a crying shame that Buddy passed away the following year. I think he would have been at least as big as Elvis if he had been able to carry on.
We never waited to see Buddy after the concert, but the memories are etched forever and his music was a legacy in the hall of original Rock and Roll.

Hi Alanbro. So you were there too, eh? I seem to recall there having been visa problems re the Crickets. Does anyone know whether there are there any press releases available concerning this concert? I'm not sure about the name of the guitar but I believe it was a Fender. It was powerful whatever make it was. Thanks for your input!

As was the norm back then, Buddy played two shows on the same day in Sheffield on March 4, 1958. A week or two later, he even played Doncaster!

Support acts were The Montanas, The Tanner Sisters, Gary Miller and Ronnie Keene & his Orchestra. As already mentioned, Des O'Connor was the compere.

Here are the complete tour dates:

March 1, 1958 - Trocadero - Elephant & Castle, London (2 shows)
March 2, 1958 - Gaumont State - Kilburn, London (2 shows)
March 3, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Southampton, Hampshire (2 shows)
March 4, 1958 - City Hall - Sheffield, Yorkshire (2 shows)
March 5, 1958 - Globe Theatre - Stockton-On-Tees, Durham (2 shows)
March 6, 1958 - City Hall - Newcastle-On-Tyne, Northumberland (2 shows)
March 7, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Wolverhampton, Staffordshire (2 shows)
March 8, 1958 - Odeon Theatre - Nottingham (3 shows)
March 9, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Bradford, Yorkshire (2 shows)
March 10, 1958 - Town Hall - Birmingham, Warwickshire (2 shows)
March 11, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Worcester (2 shows)
March 12, 1958 - Davis Theatre - Croydon (2 shows)
March 13, 1958 - Grenada Theatre - East Ham, London(2 shows)
March 14, 1958 - Grenada Theatre - Woolwich, London (2 shows)
March 15, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Ipswich, Suffolk (3 shows)
March 16, 1958 - De Montfort Hall - Leicester (2 shows)
March 17, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Doncaster, Yorkshire (2 shows)
March 18, 1958 - Ritz Theatre - Wigan, Lancashire (2 shows)
March 19, 1958 - Regal Cinema - Hull, Yorkshire (2 shows)
March 20, 1958 - Philharmonic Hall - Liverpool (2 shows)
March 21, 1958 - Granada Theatre - Walthamstowe, London (2 shows)
March 22, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Salisbury, Wiltshire (2 shows)
March 23, 1958 - Colston Hall - Bristol, Gloucestershire (2 shows)
March 24, 1958 - Capitol Cinema - Cardiff (2 shows)
March 25, 1958 - Gaumont Theatre - Hammersmith, London (2 shows)

Here I was about to ask the exact date of the Buddy Holly Sheffield City Hall Concert and you posted the entire tour schedule ...well done!

It's my understanding that Jerry Allison and Joe Mauldin (the Crickets) backed up the Everly Brothers on the Everly's tour in 1960. Do you have any info on this?

I found this on The Crickets' website:

In 1960, Jerry Allison became the group's leader and after a short while, the group resumed recording and touring. Earl Sinks left and another Holly "soundalike" named David Box then recorded with the group. In 1961, the Crickets teamed up with Bobby Vee and released several singles and an album. Although Joe Mauldin is pictured on the album cover, he was not on the session. Tommy Allsup played on some songs, Earl Palmer was the drummer on a few of them, with Bobby Vee doing most of the vocals, sharing a couple with Jerry Allison.

Jerry Naylor joined the group as lead singer about that time and many singles were released. Glen Campbell sang harmony with Naylor on "Don't Ever Change", and Ernie Freeman played piano.
Sonny Curtis had been drafted and after serving, rejoined the Crickets with he and Jerry Naylor switching off the lead vocals. About the same time, the Crickets were backing the Everly Brothers.

I would have liked to have seen the Everly Brothers. but never did, although I saw Eddie Cochran at the Gaumont. I also saw Gene Vincent, but can't remember whether it was at the same venue or the City Hall.
Duane Eddy's was also a good concert, although I saw him a good few years later and there were only 500 in the audience.

on the day buddy holly died was there two other singers that perished aswell?

on the day buddy holly died was there two other singers that perished aswell?

Do you mean The Big Bopper & Ritchie Valens?

Do you mean The Big Bopper & Ritchie Valens?


I think they were the two,(the day the music died) or something like that.

I think they were the two,(the day the music died) or something like that.

You're intertwining a line from the song American Pie. While this song has references to Buddy Holly (among others), I don't think it has anything to do with The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.

Mark1971 is correct.

The Big Bopper and Valens unfortunately both perished in the same plane crash as Holly.

The 'American Pie' song (Don McClean) is a reference to that plane crash, although a lot has been written about the song 'American Pie' and it's original meaning.

Don McClean was asked what was the meaning of 'American Pie', he replied:

'Never having to work again':hihi:

The 4th of March is my birthday and on that day in 1958 I was walking past the the Grand Hotel, it was raining, and three guys came out of the revolving doors of the hotel, one of the guys with big black frame glasses said to me, "Hey big fella which way is it to the City Hall", I said to him just turn right by Wilson Pecks music shop, keep on up the street until you come to all the steps and thats it. The guy in the glasses simply said "Hey fella thanks a lot".
As I crossed the road to the Town Hall, I thought my god that was Buddy Holly.

I went to his concert that night and was absolutely blown away, the sound from his Fender Stratocaster was awesome, especially when he played "Peggy Sue". As you say it was a great pity he was taken away so young, but testimy to his rare talent, his music has never really died.

Tony Land (ex Club 60 partner) now living in Brisbane, Australia.

Looking at that tour schedule it looks like murder, 2 shows a night, no days off and traveling around the country before we had motorways.

What was the the name of the rock'n'roller who was supposed to be on the same plane but was delayed by something and missed it?

What was the the name of the rock'n'roller who was supposed to be on the same plane but was delayed by something and missed it?

Hey, thanks for bumping this thread up again folks. I think the rock'n'roller you're talking about became a country music performer (legend?) later in his career. His name was Waylon Jennings.

Any other tidbits or memories about the Buddy Holly Tour?

Cheers Sputnikboy. I read about it somewhere but couldn't remember who had the near miss. Didn't he tie one on the night before and miss the plane because he was hungover or summat?

Cheers Sputnikboy. I read about it somewhere but couldn't remember who had the near miss. Didn't he tie one one the night before and miss the plane because he was hungover or summat?

I recently bought a book about the day the music died (before my time but very interesting)& from what i gather buddy holly was so fed up with travelling on a cold bus & decided to hire a plane for himself & the crickets(waylon jennings & tommy allsup) but the big bopper talked waylon into giving up his seat because he was feeling ill & ritchie valens flipped a coin with tommy for his seat & won & the rest as they say is history.

Cheers Mark. I bet Waylon and Tommy felt mighty shivery whenever they thought about their chance escape.

It's hardly comparable or very rock 'n' roll but I was once walking on the pavement on Charlotte Rd towards a small crane that was lifting a large stack of slates up to the roof of a house. I was going to be brave and walk underneath it in defiance of my usually cautious nature thinking that the chances of anything dropping down were very remote but at the last minute something made me swerve around it.

As I reached the point where if I'd continued on my original course I'd have been underneath the load, the slates came crashing down. If I'd been underneath it there's no doubt that I'd have been killed or at least sustained serious head injuries and it always makes me go cold to think of the 'What ifs'.

Anyway I'll shut up now, no doubt Waylon's stories are better than mine and Don Mclean's hardly going to write a song about The Day the Slates Came Down!

The 4th of March is my birthday and on that day in 1958 I was walking past the the Grand Hotel, it was raining, and three guys came out of the revolving doors of the hotel, one of the guys with big black frame glasses said to me, "Hey big fella which way is it to the City Hall", I said to him just turn right by Wilson Pecks music shop, keep on up the street until you come to all the steps and thats it. The guy in the glasses simply said "Hey fella thanks a lot".
As I crossed the road to the Town Hall, I thought my god that was Buddy Holly.

I went to his concert that night and was absolutely blown away, the sound from his Fender Stratocaster was awesome, especially when he played "Peggy Sue". As you say it was a great pity he was taken away so young, but testimy to his rare talent, his music has never really died.

Tony Land (ex Club 60 partner) now living in Brisbane, Australia.\\The guitar that Buddy played in those days was called the "Fender Broadcaster" later on they changed its name to "Stratocaster" because there was a Banjo in America also called the "Broadcaster" ...
useless info.. I know.

There was also a rumour going round that buddy holly had a gun & may have used it.

I read in the paper this week about the exhibition of legendary guitars which is on at Harrods this month -the late Rory Gallagher's battered Strat, Hendrix's Strat etc etc. I wondered if Buddy's Broadcaster used on the '58 tour might be there as I reckon it's the most treasured Fender ever built. Apparently given to Des O'Connor at the end of the tour, I am privileged to have at least seen and heard it at Ipswich Gaumont in March 1958. I was 12 and bribed my Mum into taking me, in exchange for accompaning her to the same venue to see David Whitfield ! Quite a contrast !

I recall Buddy walking up to the microphone and saying " It's great to be here in ------ He walked over to another band member, returned to the mike and said "IPSWICH". I thought it was very amusing but, having now seen the tour dates, he probably didn't know where he was !!

I still miss you Buddy. You are the one.

I went to Buddy's concert at the City Hall.Also went to the 50th anniverary tribute show.I have still got his album "The Chirping Crickets" and some of buddy's original 45 records

hi sputnikboy, I do not believe this. I am the other fella who was there on march 4 1958. after all these years.I dont know how this forum works I was actually looking for a new buddy holly relaease when I found your post.if you are still in sheffield I shall be on gerry kerseys show tonight on radio sheffield talking about buddy you can contact me if you wish on clifford@hircock.f9.co.uk cliff hircock

You lucky devils.

Buddy Holly & Elvis both selfishly died before I was born, what I would give to have seen them live.

Can we not do a deal and swap the big man upstairs a couple of average bands from today to get them back? I'd happily give up Girls aloud and the Arctic Monkeys for their return.

Great to hear about the Buddy Holly reminiscences above.
Keep them coming!
Sorry I wasn't in the right place at the right time.
I think that Buddy and the other two caught a plane to save time over the bus. They tossed a coin to see who would go by plane. The weather was awful, typical Iowa in the winter. I think the pilot was only qualified for daylight flying?

\\The guitar that Buddy played in those days was called the "Fender Broadcaster" later on they changed its name to "Stratocaster" because there was a Banjo in America also called the "Broadcaster" ...
useless info.. I know.The first 'Telecaster' not the Stratocaster was to be called the 'Broadcaster'.
As you say the name was already in use so Telecaster was used as this was the new medium in entertainment; this was some years before the appearance of the Strat, the Stratocaster was always called the Statocaster.

I found this on The Crickets' website:

In 1960, Jerry Allison became the group's leader and after a short while, the group resumed recording and touring. Earl Sinks left and another Holly "soundalike" named David Box then recorded with the group. In 1961, the Crickets teamed up with Bobby Vee and released several singles and an album. Although Joe Mauldin is pictured on the album cover, he was not on the session. Tommy Allsup played on some songs, Earl Palmer was the drummer on a few of them, with Bobby Vee doing most of the vocals, sharing a couple with Jerry Allison.

Jerry Naylor joined the group as lead singer about that time and many singles were released. Glen Campbell sang harmony with Naylor on "Don't Ever Change", and Ernie Freeman played piano.
Sonny Curtis had been drafted and after serving, rejoined the Crickets with he and Jerry Naylor switching off the lead vocals. About the same time, the Crickets were backing the Everly Brothers.
On the 'Bobby Vee Meets The Crickest' tour Glen Harding played keyboards with the Crickets, in the absence of a bassist in the Crickets on that tour Glen Played a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass which was set up at 90 degrees to the left of the piano.
Jerry Allison was not on the show/tour due to being called up in the reserves for the Cuba Crisis.

I recently bought a book about the day the music died (before my time but very interesting)& from what i gather buddy holly was so fed up with travelling on a cold bus & decided to hire a plane for himself & the crickets(waylon jennings & tommy allsup) but the big bopper talked waylon into giving up his seat because he was feeling ill & ritchie valens flipped a coin with tommy for his seat & won & the rest as they say is history.

Met 'Tommy Allsup' a couple of years ago; 75 years old and still playing some excellent guitar, a true gentleman.

See shot below.

http://i44.tinypic.com/zuic8y.jpg

You lucky devils.

Buddy Holly & Elvis both selfishly died before I was born, what I would give to have seen them live.

Can we not do a deal and swap the big man upstairs a couple of average bands from today to get them back? I'd happily give up Girls aloud and the Arctic Monkeys for their return.


I have seen Elvis, (twice) the Beatles, (twice) Tom Jones, Cher, Neil Diamond, Lonnie Donnegan, and many others in my time, but nothing compares with the Elvis concerts. Not just a concert, more of a happening, something never to be forgotten. Then again, who says he's dead, not me.

[QUOTE=buddysbuddy;4656366]
hi sputnikboy, if you are still in sheffield.

Sputnikboy got transported to Oz for stealing the Platters shoes, he tells everyone that he emmigrated, but thats not true.

hi sputnikboy, I do not believe this. I am the other fella who was there on march 4 1958. after all these years.I dont know how this forum works I was actually looking for a new buddy holly relaease when I found your post.if you are still in sheffield I shall be on gerry kerseys show tonight on radio sheffield talking about buddy you can contact me if you wish on clifford@hircock.f9.co.uk cliff hircock

I'm somewhat flabbergasted by your post. By the way, I've replied to your PM. Thanks.

I left England circa 1960 for Australia where I still reside. I also spent many years in the U.S.A. prior to returning to Australia.

Yes, I'd love to hear from you. My email address is sequencerman2005@yahoo.com.au

[QUOTE=buddysbuddy;4656366]
hi sputnikboy, if you are still in sheffield.

Sputnikboy got transported to Oz for stealing the Platters shoes, he tells everyone that he emmigrated, but thats not true.

Ah yes, the shoe incident. You're right ...I was shooed off (:hihi:) to Australia because of that rather unusual fettish of mine.

Nice to hear from you, Skippy ...how're ya doing'? I know you don't believe me but I really WILL talk to you before too long. For now, though, take care.

Rod

my mum was 12 at the time and wasn't allowed to attend by her dad,her neighbour who was older told her not worry as he would get buddys autograph for her,and he did,she still had it upto about 5 years ago and she sold it for 600 quid.

I remember seeing the Buddy Holly story at the Lyceum in 1997 FANTASTIC

Hi sputnikboy, I wasn't at city hall for that concert but was involved with many similar concerts while working as a Projectionist at the Odeon Theatre Nottingham including Buddy Holly in 1958 it was a 3 performance event one show about 2-30 one at 6-30 and last show 8-30 I was operating one of the arc spotlights I remember on that particular show, I took part in many shows with big names in pop during 1958 and 1959 including Paul Anka, Cliff Richard (twice) Count Basie, Tommy Steel(that was a fiasco he turned up too late to go on stage)caused much havoc!!and many others, all the acts had many supporting characters many later to become well know names in there own right, just thought you might be interested.
regards ianodeon