Tuesday was a good day for outdoor music around Greater Morristown. Not counting that nasty thunderstorm around suppertime, of course.
For lunch, there was a three-man tribute to the Fab Four at Morristown Medical Center. Michael Andrew of Basking Ridge once played in Beatlemania; Alan LeBoeuf of Warren and John Korba of Califon both perform in Rain on Broadway.
This video excerpt features a chestnut that Paul McCartney dusted off for the first time at his Yankee Stadium shows earlier this month.
Then we segue to the evening’s entertainment, by Rave On at Ginty Field in Morris Township, sponsored by Provident Bank.
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Chris Roselle, Don Guinta and Peter Farley infused the Buddy Holly songbook with oomph. For good measure, they added doses of Elvis, the Everlys and Roy Orbison to the mix.
It’s astounding to consider how many memorable tunes Buddy Holly recorded in a career snuffed out almost before it began. He is rock and roll’s version of James Dean, a meteoric talent who left the world sadly wondering what if.
Yet even though he was just 22 when he died in a plane crash, Buddy Holly inspired the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and many others. Singer Don McLean memorialized him in his epic American Pie, and Paul McCartney bought the Buddy Holly song catalog.
Those thick glasses might suggest a nerd to modern viewers. But the kid from Lubbock, Texas, could swing, said Rave On drummer Don Guinta.
“He had that feel. A lot of white guys (from the ’50s music scene) were kind of stiff. His looks belied his feel of the music.”
Rave On front man Chris Roselle, who also plays in a ’60s band called Carnaby Street, started playing Buddy Holly gigs two years ago.
“Nobody’s doing this,” the Union County resident said. “Someone has to hear this music.”
