West End smash hit theatre show Be Bop a Lula presents a slice of rock’n’roll history - starring five giants of rock’n’roll - Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Billy Fury, Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison.
In 1960, American rockers Eddie and Gene flew in from the States and were joined by British heartthrob Billy Fury for the UK’s very first multi-artist rock’n’roll tour.
Reviewers were appalled by the on-stage antics. Audiences screamed their approval. British youth culture was born!
Theatregoers are invited to relive these seminal concerts in the company of incredible singers and a band said to be “tighter than a pair of your tightest drainpipe trousers”.
The five are seen combined on stage for the first time ever. Cochran’s legendary guitar riffs, Vincent’s menacingly moody stage presence, Fury’s smouldering looks and soaring vocals, Orbison’s perfect, lilting tones and Holly’s good-time rock’n’roll are promised.
Billy Fury (1940-1983) was born in Liverpool and found fame in the early Sixties with a string of hits including Halfway to Paradise, jealousy and Like I’ve Never Been Gone. He starred in the film I’ve Gotta Horse, which was filmed in Great Yarmouth.
His first album, The Sound of Fury, featuring 10 songs all written by Billy, was ground breaking for its time. He was one of the few artists before the Beatles era to write and record his own songs. The Beatles even auditioned to be his backing group. But it was never to be.
A life size bronze Billy Fury statue, commissioned by fan club The Sound of Fury and created by Liverpool artist Tom Murphy, was unveiled at the former Museum of Liverpool Life on 19 April 2003. It is now on permanent display outside the Piermaster’s House in the Albert Dock.
Items loaned to the museum by members of the fan club also went on display at the former Museum of Liverpool Life in April 2005.
Be Bop a Lula promises to be a real doozer of a stage show, and is on Sunday, August 26 at the Britannia Pier Theatre, Great Yarmouth, at 7.30pm.
For tickets, call 01493 842209 or go to britannia-pier.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here