The Day The Music Died At 60: The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

February 3, 2019 marks the 60th Anniversary of the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. To commemorate The Day The Music Died, The Revue presents a screening of THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, preceded by a rare, live musical performance by Jeff Giles , "Canada's Buddy Holly."

ABOUT THE FILM
The Buddy Holly Story
USA 1978 114min.
Directed by Steve Rash
Starring Gary Busey, Charles Martin Smith, Don Stroud, Maria Richwine

One of the earliest rock'n'roll biopics chronicles the life and short career of Buddy Holly, from the days when "Peggy Sue" was "Cindy Lou", to the meteoric run of "That'll Be the Day" up the charts, to his marriage, breakup with the Crickets and untimely death during the Winter Dance Party in 1959. Is it an accurate representation of the man who left an indelible imprint one the future of pop music? Heck no, but that hardly matters, as Gary Busey's Oscar-nominated performance as Holly heats up the screen. Along with Cricket composites Charles Martin-Smith and the underrated Don Stroud, the trio sing all the songs at a time when lip-synching was still the norm in music biopics.

Prior to the film, Jeff Giles (as Buddy Holly) and his trio will perform songs by Holly, Ritchie Valens, and others from the golden age of rock'n'roll. The performance will begin shortly after doors opens at 9:00PM.

About Jeff Giles
Called “Canada’s Buddy Holly” by the CBC, Jeff Giles has been performing professionally for over 20 years as a singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and tribute artist. His love of popular music began early, after his parents gave him a cassette tape for his eighth birthday: The California Raisins Sing the Hit Songs. The tape included early rock and r&b hits like “Heartbreak Hotel”, and “When A Man Loves A Woman”, and Jeff was hooked for life on both the golden age of rock & roll, and the soul music of Motown, Stax and Atlantic records.
Ottawa-born and Hamilton-raised, as a teenager Jeff learned to play the guitar, sing, and write songs, all while beginning a career as a professional actor. His skills as a growing multi-instrumentalist led to a niche in the Canadian theatre industry, and landed him the title role in the smash-hit rock musical: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Called “perfectly-cast”, “charismatic” and “a musical dynamo” by critics, his success led to nationwide appearances and numerous repeat performances.

Today, Jeff maintains a schedule of national and international appearances as a tribute musician, paying tribute not only to Buddy Holly, but other pop music pioneers like The Everly Brothers, The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, and more, in addition to work as a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, bandleader for many other tribute acts.

Finally, his love of rock, soul, folk and roots music has informed his own songwriting, and his debut album, Ghosts in the Pipes, is available for streaming and purchase at jeffgilesmusic.com.



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The Day The Music Died At 60: The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

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