Best Buddy!

IT was 50 years ago that a young rock 'n' roll star with horn-rimmed glasses toured the UK.

Now 'Buddy Holly' will walk back on to the very stages he graced half a century ago in a special one-off 50th anniversary commemorative tour.

Marc Robinson, complete with those famous glasses, the legendary Stratocaster guitar, and genuinely cut, tailor made Holly suits, will take on the starring role.

The man even moves like Buddy, so much so, that people who knew Holly himself, experience real déjà vu in Marc's presence.

In 1995 Marc formed Buddy Holly and the Counterfeit Crickets and has been touring with the group ever since.

And, Sir Cliff Richard chose the next best thing to the real Buddy Holly to appear at his birthday party at the Birmingham NEC - Marc.

Alongside Buddy is a supporting cast, including Karen Noble as Dusty Springfield and Connie Francis.

Karen has become a regular on television, appearing on Jim Davidson Presents, Open House and The Kelly Show.

Michael King will take on the role of Billy Fury and says the part was the ­perfect choice for him.

He started out in show business purely as a rock 'n' roll front man and is known for his stunning portrayal of Elvis Presley.

He has starred in some of the world's most acclaimed Elvis shows, such as the Power of Presley Show, Rockin on Heaven's Door, and Elvis - The Ultimate ­Performance.

Michael is also a regular performer at the famous Cavern club in Liverpool.

Johnny Curtis will also be performing on the tour, along with two live bands - The Counterfeit Crickets and the Rockets.

Buddy Holly, born Charles Hardin Holley, died on February 3 1959 in an aeroplane crash - his worldwide success only lasted a year-and-a-half.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Holly number 13 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Buddy and Friends will hit the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, on March 8 at 7.45pm.