Busey Does Buddy

Gary Busey visits Minneapolis to perform in Buddy Holly tribute

Gary Busey portrayed Buddy Holly in the 1978 film “The Buddy Holly Story,” and will revive the role in a Minneapolis performance.

Image credit: The Buddy Holly Story

By: Molly Burke

Fifty-three years ago this week, rock-and-roll icon Buddy Holly, then just 22-years-old, lost his life along with fellow musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson, in a plane crash outside Clear Lake, Iowa.

This week in Minneapolis, an unlikely duo is paying homage to the Wayfarer-wearing legend. Gary Busey, who portrayed Holly in the 1978 film “The Buddy Holly Story,” is teaming up with locally-based music producer Rob Chapman to honor the Rock n’ Roll prodigy.

The two-night event, running Thursday, Feb. 2 and Friday, Feb. 3 at Pepito’s Parkway Theater, will feature screenings of the Academy-Award winning film and a live performance by IVY-winning Holly cover band Buddy and The Boys. On Friday night, Busey will join the band in a rare live performance, rousing up his old Holly persona.

“I thought, how cool would it be to get Busey on board,” Chapman says. “So I told Gary that I used to play his movie’s soundtrack on my 8-track, then he knew I was for real.”

Busey, known for his eccentric persona, was an accomplished musician and singer before landing acting roles. “[Busey] could be in the car sicker than a dog, but when it comes time to be on stage and he gets down to business,” says Chapman.

The trio, Buddy and the Boys, will be performing with a Holly-style upright bass, authentic guitar amps and of course lead vocals by Busey on Friday.

“[Gary said] ‘We have got to make a big splash on Friday the third,’” says Chapman. With Busey on board, there’s no doubt that’s possible.

+Rob Chapman Presents The Buddy Holly Story; Thursday, Feb 2 and Friday, Feb 3 at 7 p.m.; Pepito’s Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Ave. South, Mpls; Tickets $14/Thursday, $48-$58/Friday, brownpapertickets.com