Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly hologram tour coming to Birmingham

After the success of last year’s In Dreams: Roy Orbison in Concert tour, Base Hologram the leading developer of concerts, theatricals and spectacles that combine holographic cinema and mixed reality with live entertainment, have now announced Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly: The Rock ’N’ Roll Dream Tour.

The tour will bring the two rock 'n' roll icons together for the event that comes to Birmingham's Resorts World Arena last this year. It is the first time a Buddy Holly hologram has been created.

“Both Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly set the stage for what was to come down the road in the music industry,” said Brian Becker, chairman and CEO of BASE Hologram.

“These two men were forward-thinkers who understood what new forms of technology could do for their craft.

"They defined the genre of Rock and Roll from writing to recording to the standard band configuration and they influenced everyone from Elvis to The Beatles.

"Now to be able to recapture that magic on a grand scale and let their fans see them together will be something truly special.”

Universally recognized as one of the great music legends and praised by everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Morrissey to Bono, Roy Orbison’s catalogue includes such chart-toppers as Oh, Pretty Woman, You Got It, Only The Lonely, Crying, I Drove All Night, It’s Over and In Dreams.

“My father’s music meant the world to not just to us Orbison's but to millions of fans worldwide," said Roy Orbison, Jr., President of Roy Orbison Music.

"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 Cricket's album.

"How beyond cool and special that these two great friends, now get to tour the world together."

A seasoned performer by age 16, Buddy Holly was known not just for his distinguished look, but also for his mastery of several music styles.

In addition to hits such as Peggy Sue, Oh Boy!, Not Fade Away and That'll Be the Day, Holly was among the first artists to use techniques such as double-tracking on his albums.

Along with his beloved band The Crickets, Holly helped set the standard for the Beatles and others for rock and roll orchestration by setting the two guitar, bass and drum line-up now seen in traditional concerts.

“Buddy and Roy were Texans who shared a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s creative musical genius and brilliant song writing abilities,” said Buddy’s wife Maria Elena Holly.

“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.”

Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly: The Rock ’N’ Roll Dream Tour will come to Birmingham's Resorts World Arena on October 17.

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am.

For more information and to buy tickets, click here.