Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly Hologram Tour Announced
Last year, the estate of Roy Orbison mounted a U.K. tour where he appeared in hologram form. Now, they're prepared to follow up that trek with another, and they're bringing a virtual form of one of his friends, Buddy Holly, along for what they're calling the Rock 'n' Roll Dream tour.
The project was created by BASE Hologram, the same team responsible for last year's production, including director Eric Schaeffer. It will feature live instrumentation and backup singers performing under remastered vocal tracks of the two influential early rockers. The show is expected to run between 75 and 90 minutes long.
“My father’s music meant the world to not just to us Orbisons but to millions of fans worldwide,” Roy Orbison Jr. said in a statement reprinted at Rolling Stone. “Being able to reopen his legendary songbook and again hear his voice bounce off great concert hall walls is both a transcendent and cathartic experience. Dad jammed with Buddy in Lubbock, Texas and helped change music history by turning Buddy on to Norman Petty Studios; Buddy later returned the favor by recording two of Dad’s songs on his first Crickets album. How beyond cool and special that these two great friends, now get to tour the world together.”
Maria Elena Holly, Holly's widow, added that the two men were “Texans who shared a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s creative musical genius and brilliant songwriting abilities. Their long-time fans and a new generation of fans will now have the opportunity to see these great legends perform together in a unique setting, showcasing two of the finest, most influential, and beloved artists in music history.”
The Rolling Stone article says that they will be playing dates concurrently in both the U.S. and the U.K. and Ireland, but the website that's been created only lists the British shows as of now. Tickets go on sale this Friday (March 29) at 9AM GMT.
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Roy Orbison & Buddy Holly: The Rock 'n' Roll Dream Tour Dates
Oct. 7 -- Dublin, Ireland
Oct. 8 -- Belfast, Northern Ireland
Oct. 10 -- Newcastle, England
Oct. 11 -- Manchester, England
Oct. 12 -- Liverpool, England
Oct. 13 -- Leeds, England
Oct. 14 -- Hull, England
Oct. 16 -- Glasgow, Scotland
Oct. 17 -- Birmingham, England
Oct. 18 -- Bournemouth, England
Oct. 21 -- Nottingham, England
Oct. 22 -- Brighton, England
Oct. 23 -- Cardiff, Wales
Oct. 24 -- London, England