"Buddy Holly Day" Celebrated in Los Angeles and Worldwide in Honor of Historic 75th Birthday

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Sep 08, 2011, 03:11 ET

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On the actual anniversary of Buddy Holly's birth, September 7th, 2011, "Buddy Holly Day" was officially declared in Los Angeles with celebrations throughout the day. As part of the day's events, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star unveiling attended by Holly's widow, Maria Elena Holly and her family, Peter Asher, (executive producer of Listen to Me: Buddy Holly), Phil Everly, Gary Busey, Albert Lee, and Ritchie Valens' family were among those in attendance. "I know Buddy is looking down and saying thanks to all of you," Maria Elena said.

Maria Elena Holly was even spotted joining in when a flashmob crowd gathered in the street and rocked to the tune of Stevie Nicks belting out "Not Fade Away" before the ceremony. In addition to international tv crews, Holly's hometown station KCBD from Lubbock, Texas streamed the show live for a crowd of fans at the Buddy Holly Center in honor of their hometown hero.

At a private reception after the ceremony, Gary Busey performed for the crowd as friends, family and fans shared memories.

Later on, a star-studded concert took place in Hollywood at The Music Box. Fans ranging from Priscilla Presley to Nigel Lythgoe to Pete Wentz to Tia Barr were in attendance to see artists from the Listen To Me album and others honor the legendary Holly. The night began with a vocal tribute from Brian Wilson and his band singing Happy Birthday to Buddy, followed by a champagne toast. The performances opened with a rocking Stevie Nicks number and closed with a scorching rendition and grand finale of all the artists joining for "That'll Be The Day." Performers included Paul Anka, Michelle Branch, Cobra Starship, Shawn Colvin, Phil Everly (who sang for the first time in five years in tribute to his close personal friend), Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, Raul Malo, Graham Nash, Boz Scaggs, Patrick Stump, and more. James Burton and Albert Lee, two of the world's greatest guitarists, riffed together as part of the finale. The concert was filmed in HD for an upcoming PBS holiday pledge drive.

Taped tributes from Keith Richards, Ringo Starr, Isaac Slade, Natalie Merchant, Imelda May, Pat Monahan, Jackson Browne, Eric Idle, and others honoring Holly and his music were given.

Listen to Me: Buddy Holly jumped to number three on the Amazon.com and number twelve on iTunes best sellers' lists and has already garnered critical praise upon release from USA Today, to Rolling Stone, to The Los Angeles Times. The celebration continues with more events into 2012.

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SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises