Fifty years have passed since Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper lost their life, but thanks to a group of dedicated Rock n’ Rollers, the music lives on in the form of John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party. The show I attended had a capacity crowd of all ages, ranging from folks who actually remember Holly, to their grandchildren.
The concert was a fun look back to one of the most explosive times in Rock n’ Roll history, and the performers were truly talented at inviting you to mentally transform yourself into a bobby socker. John Mueller played the part of Buddy Holly, a role that is not new to him since he held the lead position in the critically acclaimed London/Broadway hit musical “Buddy…the Buddy Holly Story,”.
Ray Anthony as Ritchie Valens did a fine job of reenacting the La Bamba singer, but I personally felt his performance was based on “La Bamba” the movie more so that the actual Valens. Anthony’s look was more like Lou Diamond Phillips and even his music set was almost verbatim from the movie, including a short ditty of “Nic Nac – Paddywack – Give the dog a bone” That aside, Mr. Anthony Rocked the house and got everyone clapping and singing along.
J.P. Richardson Jr. embodied his father on stage and had the look and feel of his dad whom he had never met. Jr. was born several months after the plane crash. In the show he performed all the hits you’d expect, and a few his father wrote for other artists. Although J.P. wrote “White Lightning” and “Running Bear”, my mind drifted to the renditions by the artists who made them popular.
The Band was superb and notably the talents of Mike Acosta, who’s multi-instrument talents were spotlighted on “True Love Ways”, a song originally recorded with a full orchestra. This show is recommended to anyone who enjoys 50′s-60′s Rock n’ Roll, and enters the venue with an open mind. If you are looking for historical accuracy, this may not be the show for you, but if you’re looking to have a Rock n’ Rollin good time for a night, Go for it!
See photos from the show I attended at www.eddiebear.com
Tags: Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson, John Mueller, Ray Anthony, Ritchie Valens, Winter Dance Party
