MARC ROBINSON'S interests with music started early in his high school days. Hating the uniformed curriculum of music lessons of the day, at home he preferred the excitement of Rock n Roll, which led him to a varied Rock'n'Roll career, part of which is playing Tribute to Buddy Holly. After leaving school, like Buddy Holly himself, Marc studied to be a Draughtsman and, also like Buddy, he is the youngest of four children. He formed a band and started performing all vintage Rock'n'Roll songs, all of which he had listened to as he grew up. 

As Marc played more and more of Buddy Holly, his audiences remarked on the similarities between himself and Buddy.   He acquired the tailor made Holly suits, horned rimmed glasses and of course the Stratocaster guitar and Marc Robinson's Tribute to Buddy Holly was born and he has since spent his working life bringing Buddy Holly's music and character to the people of Britain, Europe and the Middle East. 

The story began when Marc and a group of friends were drinking at the bar in a local public house.  They stood watching a band perform "we can do that" Marc said to the landlord, "you're on next week came the reply". Not actually having an act and with only 7 days to get one together he began to wonder if he'd said the right thing. However, and against all the odds, the following Saturday night was a great success, the landlord must have been pleased also having paid the band ten pounds - just enough to them ourselves a drink and re-booked them on the spot. From such a humble beginning to appearing in the touring production of a West End musical, a lot has happened. 
Here are some of the highlights:

bullet Playing at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on one of their first major gigs outside of England.

bullet Playing at the Glastonbury Festival

bullet Appearing at the Brit Awards

bullet Appearing on TV's "The Chief" The first of many TV appearances in many shows.

bullet Playing for Sir Cliff Richard at his birthday party.

bullet First tour abroad to the Middle East.

bullet Appearing in 2 feature films "The Fifth Element" and "Mrs Brown"

bullet Appearing on a chat show with the late Ernie Wise.

bullet Successfully coming ahead of thousands of applicants to appear on "Stars in their eyes" .

bullet Playing on the same bill as Buddy's original Crickets.

bullet Helping various charities to raise money.

bullet Touring with "Rockin' On Heavens Door" particularly St David's Hall in Cardiff and The Waterfront in Belfast.

bullet Playing at The London Palladium 43 years after Buddy Holly did.

bullet First gig abroad in Finland with Marc's own band "The Counterfeit Crickets".

bullet Marc's first TV commercial as Buddy Holly in the Fox's biscuit advert.

bullet Appearing on the Jerry Kelly show New Year's Eve Special.

bullet Playing for Paul McCartney at the MPL Buddy Holly week celebrations.

bullet Being a finalist in Paul McCartney's Buddy Holly look-alike competition.

bullet Attaining the criteria to become an Equity member.

bullet Taking the lead role in the touring production of West End musical "The Buddy Holly Story"

bullet The releasing of the band's first single "La Bamba" and first time hearing it played on the radio.

Marc would like to express particular thanks to Eve Regelous at the Showstoppers Agency for her guidance during his time in her Phoenix Variety Shows and in the early stages of his solo career.

 

Lazing in Dubai

With The Crickets

With Rebel Dean

With drummer Paul in Finland

In the Buddy Holly Story

With the Phoenix Variety Company