The ultimate 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll show!

“The ultimate 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll show!”
BBC RADIO

The Bluejays, the UK’s leading vintage Rock ‘n’ Roll band present Rock and Roll Revolution – a major new live music theatre tour celebrating the 1950s. The show tours to more than 80 venues across the UK throughout 2018/2019.

The band met in 2008 whilst performing as Buddy Holly and the Crickets in the UK Tour of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story. Ollie received rave reviews from the press for his portrayal of Buddy Holly and was even lauded from across the pond by members of Buddy’s family.

After Buddy, the band were approached by Bill Kenwright to appear in his new rock ‘n’ roll show Dreamboats & Petticoats, which toured and played a successful run in the West End.

Not content with playing only one of his rock ‘n’ roll idols, Ollie took over the role of Carl Perkins (the man behind Blue Suede Shoes) in the West End production of Million Dollar Quartet in 2011.

The Bluejays formed in 2013 and very quickly became one of the UK’s busiest vintage live acts. First up was a Friday night residency at London’s celebrated but sweaty Troubadour Club (a hotbed for musical talent since the 1950s, playing host to Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon amongst countless others). Live videos posted to YouTube sparked interest in the band both nationally and worldwide and generated a loyal and ever-growing social media following.

Since then, the band have played all over the world in theatre and at festivals and private events. At one event (Taking place under Dippy the Dinosaur in the Grand Hall of the Natural History Museum), The Bluejays were joined onstage by rock royalty Brian May of Queen who took over lead guitar and vocals for a cover of Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode. Chris (bass) recalls, “It was so surreal! To start with this was the first time we’d ever played to the bones of a 100ft Diplodocus, but then to have Brian join us onstage… unreal. When I was growing up, my mum had the Queen – Live at Wembley ’86  cassette which we used to listen to in the car all the time. There’s a bit on that where Brian talks to the crowd and I remember thinking, when he joined us and spoke on the mic, ‘That’s the voice from the tape!’. Then he launched into this incredible version of Johnny B. Goode. We were all just in awe. To be playing bass for a bona fide rock legend is something I’ll never forget.”

In 2017, The Bluejays were invited to play at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas for the annual celebrations of Buddy’s birthday. With just three days in Texas, the boys made the most of their Buddy pilgrimage.

Ollie (Vocals/Guitar): “We flew into New York and then on to Dallas. The ground staff at JFK obviously liked our vintage guitars as they chose to keep them there overnight! Fortunately, a courier from American Airlines brought them to us, intact apart from a broken bass string, a day later.”

Dan (Drums): “Our first day in Lubbock and we met with Eddy Weir, Buddy’s nephew (also a musician). We had a great chat with him over some burgers and some beer in a great bar called Triple J’s on Buddy Holly Avenue. He told us all he knew about his uncle. It was amazing to hear his family stories and to learn about the man behind the legend”.

Chris (Bass): “The next day we drove over the border to Clovis, New Mexico – home of the Norman Petty Recording Studio where Buddy and the Crickets recorded all of their biggest hits. The studio is virtually unchanged since the 50s. You can still play the Celesta that features on Everyday and they even have Buddy’s old amp.

Ollie: “Ken, the owner, very kindly allowed us to record a track at the studio. We chose a lesser-known song by Buddy called ‘Learning The Game’ – it’s one of our favourites. The video can be found on YouTube. It was a very special experience.”

The next day, the boys visited Buddy’s gravesite.

Chris: “Having been a music fan virtually all my life and, particularly from performing in Buddy, I knew a lot about Feb 3rd 1959 – The Day the Music Died. Buddy, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper were all killed when their chartered light aircraft crashed in an Iowa field after their show at the Surf Ballroom in Clearlake. To stand at Buddy’s grave (which is nestled in amongst his parents and close family) was humbling. Here was a guy who only lived for 22 years but who single-handedly changed the course of popular music. Without Buddy there’d be no Beatles.”

The Bluejays performed at the Buddy Holly Center for an invited audience including Buddy’s brother Larry Holley, guitar legend Duane Eddy and Buddy’s widow Maria Elena Holly who joined the boys onstage on backing vocals for Not Fade Away. Ollie: “Yet another surreal experience in the life of The Bluejays”. Larry Holley was incredibly complimentary saying that The Bluejays were “The best take on The Crickets he’d ever seen”.

Rock and Roll Revolution premiered in London in April 2017. The show is written and produced by The Bluejays and features more than 40 of the biggest hits of the 1950s performed live onstage. After sold out shows in Essex, Staffordshire and Yorkshire the band are really excited to be touring their show across the UK.

Ollie: “We’re really thrilled to be taking Rock and Roll Revolution on the road. We’re really proud of the show. At the time, the rock ‘n’ roll of the 1950s was considered by some to be ‘the devil’s music’ and a teenage fad. Rock and Roll Revolution shows how far from the truth that is. Artists such as Elvis, Buddy, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Little Richard and the Everly Brothers not only changed popular music forever, they brought about a social change and a freedom of expression that still resonates today.” 

Chris: “More than anything, we love that we get to play some of the greatest songs ever written night after night. It’s amazing to see groups of young people and many of those who remember the songs the first time around all up and dancing in the aisles! All fans of music owe a lot to those pioneers of the 50s – we really hope we do them justice! We set out to create a concert that leaves all other Rock ‘n’ Roll shows in the shade!”

In a recent article, Vintage Rock Magazine stated, “The Bluejays are the real Rock ‘n’ Roll deal!”

The Bluejays return to Theatre Royal Dumfries on Thursday 26th September.  Tickets are available at our Box Office, Midsteeple Box Office, by calling 01387 254209 and www.theatreroyaldumfries.co.uk