IT’S 55 years since “The day the music died”, and Buddy Holly’s songs are as fresh now as they were when, aged 22, he was killed in a plane crash along with The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.

From the beginning of his career at the age of 19, Holly marched to a different drum to his contemporaries, both musically and personally.

There’s a telling incident at a blacks-only venue when he and his group The Crickets take to the stage to an ominous silence from the audience.

By the end of the set the applause is tumultuous – their music has bridged the gap and struck a blow for integration.

Physically, he wasn’t heartthrob material. His record company tried to get him to ditch the heavy spectacles he wore but he refused. All that mattered to him was the music.

His songs have continued to resonate with fans of all ages and been covered by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones among others. Ranging from rockers like Oh Boy to emotionally-charged ballads such as True Love Ways, his output in only three years was awesome.

Newcastle-born Glen Joseph in the title role really rocks, especially in the knockout finale representing Holly’s last performance at Clear Lake, Iowa. Joseph manages to sing and play lead guitar, and all the excellent musicians play live.

It’s a great show, a fitting epitaph for one of popular music’s brightest stars, gone too soon.

  • Until Saturday. Box office 01325-486555 and online darlingtoncivic.co.uk

Sue Heath