A SPECIAL evening of music is planned to commemorate the birthday of one of the greats of rock n roll.

Buddy Holly would have been 81 years old on September 7 and paying their respects two days later will be the Newcastle-based Baldy Holly Band.

The band have recently returned from two trips to the United States where singer Jamie Bell visited Buddy’s hometown of Lubbock, Texas.

He visited the Buddy Holly Centre and was invited to perform several songs for the singer’s family.

Mr Bell said: “I was honoured to meet and talk to Buddy’s family and they told me how much they appreciated the UK’s continued support for their brother’s music and how they enjoyed my performance.”

A special performance will take place at Wallsend Memorial Hall, the site of the first ever North-Eastern rock and roll dance in 1957.

Fans and friends of the band from all over the UK are coming to show their support for Buddy and special guest will be Paul King, who has ran the British Buddy Holly Society for many years.

Tickets cost £4 in advance and £5 on the night. To book call 0191-263-4852.