Stage: Rock on
The world of theatre is a rocky one this season as Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre celebrates Billy Fury, Elvis, and Roy Orbison
Thirty one years ago, British rock ’n’ roll icon Billy Fury died prematurely. Now his original band, The Tornados, are back on the road and returning to the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, in The Billy Fury Story on Friday 19 September.
This sensational show, which has played to great acclaim all over the country, stars Colin Gold as Billy Fury. Colin first came to the band’s attention with his uncanny similarity to the late great Billy in his stunning performance on Stars In Their Eyes.
Billy Fury was Britain’s Elvis; lip curled and smouldering sexiness, this musical superstar scored the same number of hit records in the sixties as the Beatles.
The two-hour show includes all Billy’s hits, many of which he wrote himself, including ‘I Will’, ‘Halfway To Paradise’, ‘It’s Only Make Believe’, ‘Like I’ve Never Been Gone’, ‘Maybe Tomorrow’, and ‘Colette And A Thousand Stars’.
Selling more records for music label Decca than any other artist – including The Rolling Stones – Fury was a true megastar who had 28 hit singles between 1958 and 1984, and spent more than 280 weeks in the UK charts.
Fury’s Tornados, with Colin Gold as Billy, have been performing this exhilarating tribute for over fifteen years, recapturing the memories of yesteryear and providing fans with a nostalgic taste of their lost idol.
This show features The Tornados’ personal footage of the band performing with Billy on a giant video screen, combined with other archive recordings, creating an electric and emotional experience, all introduced on-screen by Billy’s long-time partner, Lisa Voice.
The Billy Fury Story, Congress Theatre Eastbourne, Friday 19 September, 7.30pm. Tickets at £20 are available from the box office on 01323 412000 or online: www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HEAVEN
Featuring the world’s greatest Elvis tribute act, Rock ’n’ Roll Heaven is set to shake the Congress Theatre Eastbourne.
Lee Memphis King is set to recreate the music, gyrating hips and sounds of one of the 20th century’s biggest music icons when he joins Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly (and others) for ‘one helluva line-up’ in two unparalleled hours of music from the ’50s and ’60s.
He’s played to over a million people all over the UK and is considered by his fans and contemporaries to be the best ever seen.
Lee, who has been obsessed with the Graceland legend since he was a young lad growing up in North Wales, is not just any old wannabe impersonator. He brings Elvis Aaron Presley to life, not only with every note sung, every string plucked and every step danced, but also with his bespoke costumes and replica Gibson guitars.
Adoring fans and rock ’n’ roll loving audiences will be treated to Lee’s black leather-clad rendition of Elvis’ ‘68 Comeback and Las Vegas Elvis, right down to the classic red Gibson guitar and trademark embroidered and bejewelled white jumpsuit.
This music extravaganza will also feature a non-stop parade of hits from other rock ’n’ roll greats from the era, including Del Shannon, Ricky Nelson and Eddie Cochran.
So pull on your blue suede shoes for the greatest collection of rock stars ever to assemble on one stage.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven at the Congress Theatre Eastbourne, 29 September – 4 October. Tickets £17 – £29. Call the box office on 01323 412000 or book online: www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk
