Buddy Holly: Listen To Me

Taped before a live audience on what would have been Buddy Holly’s 75th birthday (September 7, 2011), this extraordinary concert features a once-in-a-lifetime line-up of three generations of top recording artists performing the music of Buddy Holly, one of rock’s most enduring legends and versatile singer-songwriter-performers of the rock ‘n’ roll era.

This historic celebration includes original performances from Paul Anka, Michelle Branch, Cobra Starship (Victoria Asher and Gabe Saporta), Shawn Colvin, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, Raul Malo, Graham Nash, Stevie Nicks, Boz Scaggs, Patrick Stump and Phil Everly.

Special guest appearances by world-class rock guitarists James Burton and Albert Lee and special tributes from Keith Richards, Ringo Starr, Eric Idle, Jackson Browne and Brian Wilson round out this extraordinary concert.

Peter Asher, producer of the "Listen to Me: Buddy Holly" album (and a music legend in his own right) is the evening’s host and music supervisor. He is joined by Chris Isaak as co-host and performer.

Asher assembled an incomparable all-star “house-band” led by Waddy Wachtel — one of rock’s most acclaimed guitarists and musical directors. With their superb musicianship, the performers gave energized, sometimes moving, always modern, authentic and unique interpretations of Holly’s most enduring and iconic songs.

Adding to the magic of this musical celebration are other friends and family from Buddy Holly’s life, including Maria Elena Holly and Phil Everly, making what may well be his last public musical appearance.

Asher’s personal connection to Holly’s music goes back to 1965, when Peter & Gordon’s timeless cover of “True Love Ways” proved a massive hit both here and in the U.K. In addition, Asher produced Linda Ronstadt’s smash renditions of “It’s So Easy” and “That’ll Be the Day,” both of which served to further bolster the amazing durability of Holly’s legacy.

Songmasters’ "Listen to Me: Buddy Holly" album features 15 entirely new versions of Holly’s most iconic songs by leading artists, many of whom participated in this special concert.

“Buddy showed us how brilliant and unforgettable songs could be written using the simplest of chords,” says Asher. “He taught us the value of a lyric which came from the heart and the importance of making records the way you heard them in your head. His music has never ceased to play a major role in my life and work.”

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