IT has been more than 55 years since the day the music died and over a quarter of a century since this unique memorial to Buddy Holly began.

Aged just 22 at the time, it was on a fateful day in February 1959 when the young rock ’n’ roll sensation was snatched too soon, killed in a plane crash in Iowa.

It could have been yesterday judging by the audience reaction last night.

Buddy sees one of the world’s brightest musical talents taken, alongside his musical comrades JP ‘the Big Bopper’ Richardson and Ritchie Valens.

But it’s essentially a celebration of his life and music and we never forget that as we journey through hit after stunning hit, everything from Oh Boy to Peggy Sue and True Love Ways to Maybe Baby.

All the hits continued to delight a diverse audience as we made our way through his early country days, the switch to rock ’n’ roll, his marriage, split from The Crickets and his final show, all in the space of an unbelievable 18 months.

On the first night of the show’s return to the Mayflower after an eight-year hiatus, a joyful crowd were singing along to each of the tunes from the fantastic live band from the off. And when it came to the finale, an up-tempo Rave On, followed by the incredible Oh Boy, they were on their feet and dancing in the aisles.

Glen Joseph shines as Buddy, perfectly carrying off the superstar from his trademark widerimmed glasses to his tapping toes. In fact, he was such a brilliant Buddy, both in voice and musicianship, that the production suffered on the rare occasions he was off stage.

With this hit-packed show, the music of Buddy Holly very much lives on.