Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
A couple of weeks ago, I was walking towards Southbank when I noticed a vivid pink bus. I quickly grabbed the camera from around my neck when I realised it was actually heading towards Crown casino – and if I was quick enough, I’d be able to shoot a couple of frames.
Now it’s time for a confession – I stood behind the bus as its driver reversed slowly but carefully down a thoroughfare shared by pedestrians. No, it’s not as stupid as it sounds. There was a set of bollards prominently placed, so that no traffic can pass a certain point. I made sure the bollards were between me and the reversing bus.
At that point, I realised that the bus was actually the tour vehicle for "Buddy The Musical", the latest theatrical production on the life of Buddy Holly – and that the personalised number plate actually proclaimed BHOLLY. That’s why the first frame in this series is deliberately composed to include the blue-and-white number plate which you did notice, didn’t you!
On another note, yes, it’s still six months away from the traditional decorative use of holly. But you have to remember that it’s still winter here, so if you’re going with the Christmas In July theme, there’s nothing better than some extra Holly!
For the home of ABC Wednesday, go to Mrs Nesbitt's Place.
39 comments:
I love the mirror shot.
Yes, I did notice the license plate. And I even know who Buddy Holly was. I am after all married to The Professor who knows ALL the Rock and Roll songs of the 50s and 60s.
Great shots. And great care in taking the shots.
In February I researched more about Buddy Holly than I was prepared to do and my hubby and I watched the movie The Buddy Holly Story. I printed out some posters and put up at work. I work in a hotel and the guests were reminiscing about Buddy, was a fun week for the 50 year anniversary of the plane crash that took Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper. As soon as I saw the first photo in your post I was at attention!
I have heard of taking the show on the road and out of town try outs but never THAT far from Broadway!
Have a holly jolly time!
I love the mirror shot.
I remember the real Buddy Holly and his death announcement and all of us girls being SO upset.
The Big Bopper and Richie Valens died in that crash too.
i'd also stand there and look, these pictures totally captivated me...
First LP I ever bought, about 1959 time, was "Buddy Holly and the Crickets" ............ Not Fade Away!
Nice to see the shots.
Off Broadway means something else altogher down under. Hurrah for rock and roll.
Gee, I'd love to see that musical...those were the days with great rock & roll music!
Looking forward to your ABCW next week which of course have to be C for The Chricket
Well, congrats with the Hollies! ;-)
Like you, I also notice words and images on the buses and take pictures of them. I would even run after the bus!
Vivid pink bus? I love how flamboyant that is!
(I didn't notice was the license plate!)
(I didn't notice the license plate!)
Buddy Holly on Broadway!?!?! Who knew!
Great shot of the license plate-- that's attention to detail. and the mirror shot is fabulous!
Thanks!
I wouldn't mind seeing this musical.
I'm afraid I didn't notice the number plate! But it's cute.
A Buddy Holly tour bus - quite a sight! I wonder what he'd have thought of the colour?
Love the rearview mirror shot, with the blue sky and clouds reflecting! Gorgeous pics, as usual.
Oh my gosh! I love your B! It is brilliant! And I love how you risked your life (kind of : ) to get it! That is someone that is definitely dedicated to ABC Wednesday : )
I am a sucker for mirrors, myself.I have seen the movie Buddy Holly. It is an interesting study.
I have to tell you, I have no idea what a bollard is.
"Rave On", David - the memories are "Raining in my heart!" But you make the photography look, "It's so easy!"
I loved Buddy Holly in my youth - such a shame he died just as he was really getting into the big time. Saw the film recently
Great photo shots.
I thought you were brave when you were behind the bus - I knew you were not thinking, "It doesn't matter any more" but "Listen to me" David, it was dangerous. "Oh Boy" you took a chance and the girls would say, "Maybe Baby" and "Think it over" and maybe "True Love Ways" when you're "Crying, Waitin, Hopin" for a good shot. It's enough to make "Peggy Sue" jump for joy before "Peggy Sue got married"
Nice one David ~ Eddie
Nicely framed bottom shot of the slick reflections in the chrome of the mirror and the yellow word "story".
I noticed the license plate.
Rather colorful holly isn't it? ;)
While visiting a friend in Mason City, Iowa several years ago he drove me out to a field in Clear Lake and said, "Well?" I looked around at a LOT of corn and knew there was something special about it - I just didn't know what. When he said "Crash" I realized it was the crash site where Holly's plane went down. Found myself humming "The day the music died" the rest of the day.
I love that mirror shot, too, David. All of these are delightful. I think anytime is a good time for that Holly.
What wonderful shots here, David...I love Buddy Holly music...have a cd of early 60's music in the truck and about half is Buddy Holly the other half the Beach Boys...good days...good times...
Sandi
Ah, these are terrific shots - I can't believe it's been 50 years. Fifty years??? Are you sure? Oh.
That musical sounds like fun. I like the mirror shot, too.
I love Buddy Holly's music. I'm sure i would enjoy the musical. I do have tickets to see Paul McCartney on Aug 19 - Yeah!
An Arkies Musings
Great shots David, so colourful. I saw this show amny years ago, in fact I have twice and it's wonderful. It's a family legend that my dad sold his complete Buddy Holly collection to pay for my parents marriage license LOL!
Lovely picture of the Mirror and the bus..!!
Rocks the way you describe your shots.
cheers!
we love buddy holly. He is a big fav of my dad. :) grew up loving his music.
Isn't is amazing how so many of us still remember and love his music? He was so talented and even though his songs were simple, they still sound good. My fav was "Every Day" and I think I played it about 3,000 times.
Unfortunately think of Buddy Holly every Feb 3 (which is also my boss's bday), esp THIS year , the 50th anniversary since "the day the music died". Buddy was HUGE influence on the Rolling Stones (Not Fade Away), Beatles (Words of Love). I believe Sir Paul owns Buddy's tunes, though, not his own (at least not yet.)
Nice!
The license plate is not blue (unless there is something grievously wrong with my monitor) but nevertheless this is one colourful bus!
That was very fun!
Thank you.
50 years...wow.
I was just a wee child...my brothers were the ones rocking and rolling....
"Peggie Sue...my Peggie Sue", I am singing now. Thanks.
Sherry
My dad actually saw Buddy Holly on tour. This does look like a fun night out too. The mirror shot of course got my attention.
I noticed the license plate straight off. (But the one I saw read "BUDDYH". ;))
I was just a glimmer in the eye on The Day the Music Died. (If that. It would be a very near thing actually.) But the influence of those three is still seen -- even though you have to peel away a hundred layers of production and glam to find it now.
This reminds me of my adventure chasing down a bus in Boston (on foot) on to get a shot of the ad for "Menopause the Musical".
I hope Buddy Holly the Musical comes to the US.
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