BUDDY Holly’s music career lasted just 18 months, but his impersonator Scot Robin has been touring the world for 20 years.
Robin’s hit show 75 Years On Buddy Holly In Concert was at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, one of 25 dates nationally.
“The thing I always say is it’s a fun night out,” Robin said.
“Australia was a fan of Buddy, he came over here in 1958 because of the success he was having.
“When he got here he had no idea how much Australia loved him.
“There’s no way my show can last 20 years without that huge following, they love his music and they love his story.”
Robin has performed as Buddy more than 1000 times and even flew to Texas for Buddy Holly Week, where he played with the original band and met Maria-Elena, Holly’s widow.
“We met the band and we got to jam with them, it was part of our pilgrimage,” Robin said.
“Maria-Elena is an absolute sweetheart, she travels the world and keeps the memory of Buddy alive.
“It was a bit nervy [to meet her] but we got the thumbs up, she was so supportive.”
Prior to scoring his own show, Robin beat 500 other contestants to land the lead role of Buddy in the smash hit musical Buddy: The Buddy Holly story.
He was the first Australian to play the part he calls his “dream role”.
“It was my first professional major role and in a multi-million dollar musical,” he said.
“I was two years in the lead role and straight after that I put my own show on.”
So did he expect to be Buddy for so long, and when does he plan on retiring?
“It was one of those things that just happened,” Robin said.
“We’ve just been all over the country as well as Asia and New Zealand.
“I always say that I’ve got about 500 people screaming at me and that’s the best way to end my day.
“There’s no way I’ll stop.
“I have the best job in the country.”
