LA, London, New York, Harrogate - a rare night of rock n roll glamour inside Bettys tearooms
Rock royalty met tearoom royalty at Bettys in Harrogate last night for the launch of a new book devoted to the legendary Buddy Holly.
The pretext for the memorable event was the launch of lavish new book Words of Love, published by Genesis Publications and supported by The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, which was set up in 2010 by Harrogate jeweller Peter Bradley Snr and Buddy Holly’s widow, María Elena Holly.
Harrogate’s promotional role followed similar occasions in LA, New York and London - a rare link for the town to the glamour and glitz of rock history.
Taking place amid the timeless elegance of the Imperial Rooms at Bettys on Parliament Street, a location with a direct historical ties to Buddy Holly who popped into Bettys for lunch during his the 1958 UK tour, the night was an unexpected coming together of traditional Harrogate gentility and the roots of rock n roll.
The private event saw Sheffield singer Richard Hawley and Squeeze co-founder Chris Difford in conversation with music journalist Colin Hall talking about being inspired by the 1950s rock n roll icon.
In a surprise moment, Chris Difford played an ultra-rare demo recorded in 1975 of Squeeze playing Buddy Holly’s Everyday.
Richard Hawley, looking dapper in 1950s threads, performed a stunning solo version of Buddy Holy’s Words of Love in his distinctive, rich baritone.
Peter Bradley Jnr., a former musician and a Board Director of The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, talked about his family’s role in honouring the legacy of Buddy Holly and supporting today's new musical talent.
Jonathan Wild, former chairman of Bettys & Taylors, reminisced about Buddy Holly and the Cricketers tribute band playing his 60th birthday party
Harrogate photojournalist Jude Vidal spoke about her role in new book Words of Love, which includes her pictures of famous Buddy Holly Ambassadors such as Linda Ronstadt and Don Everly.
In a touching moment, 20-year-old Toby Lee, whose fledgling career has been supported by The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, played a quietly bluesy version of Buddy Holly’s Raining in My Heart.
Among the guests at the event was Trudie Myerscough-Harris, who works with husband Bob "Whispering Bob" Harris as an ambassador and producer for The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation.
Also in attendance was Jodie Brooke Wilson, the widow of the late entertainer Des O'Connor who had MC-ed for Buddy Holly on his only UK tour before his death in a tragic plane crash in 1959 and had taken him to Bettys on that memorable day on March 18, 1958.