Five of pop’s biggest names from the 50s and 60s will be revived at the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton tomorrow night, promising music fans an unforgettable rock and roll experience. Back in the 60s, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran came in from the US and were joined by Billy Fury who was also making waves locally. What followed was the making of history as the trio featured in the first multi-artist rock and roll tour in the UK. As audience went wild at the performances, critics were foaming at the mouth and youth culture in Britain hasn’t been the same since.
When you add Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly to that equation, what you have are five of the biggest giants to have ever been in the music industry on the same stage and this will be happening for the first time ever at the smash hit tribute show to be held in West End. The show has been titled Be Bop A Lula.
It was Orbison and Holly who introduced the UK to rock and roll, performing hits such as Crying, Only The Lonely, That’ll Be the Day and Peggy Sue. From Cochran’s famous guitar riffs, Fury’s good looks and amazing voice, Holly’s rock and roll anthems, Vincent’s stage presence and Orbison’s tones and what you have is the perfect recipe for an amazing show. Some of the classic tracks that will be played at the show include Blue jean Bop, Halfway to Paradise, In Dreams, Three Stars, C’Mon Everybody, Pretty Woman and Hallelujah I Love Her So.
Be Bop A Lula will be taking place on June 2 at the West Cliff from 7.30 in the evening. Tickets will be going for £22 or £21 if you’re over 60 years of age. Unfortunately, the original 1960 tour of the American Rockers ended in tragedy when Eddie Cochran died in a car accident when the taxi he was taking to the London airport crushed. Gene Vincent was also in the same taxi and suffered a broken leg that resulted in him walking with a limp. This was coming at the end of a tour that had been so successful that the original tour was extended by 10 weeks due to the immense demand for tickets. However, many decades after his death, Cochrane is still hailed by many as one of the biggest names to have played rock and roll.