Buddy Holly Tribute Act in the South East and UK-Wide Singers, Duos and Tribute Acts for hire.

Listen to Heartbeat

HeartBeat was formed in the summer of 2004 by three experienced musicians fascinated by the early era of rock'n'roll and more especially the films "The Buddy Holly Story" and "La Bamba". For many years, Phil had sung and played Buddy Holly songs on stage with various covers bands, always to audience acclaim. Now, with an invitation to play at Old Leigh Regatta in September, it was time for all three to put their skills and experience to good use.

 

Phil Ball - guitar and vocals

 

Phil's Dad was brought up on rock'n'roll and taught him to play Buddy's songs from a very early age. As well as playing in covers bands from his teens, Phil went on to develop his song writing talents and lead his own 'originals band' including Southend based 'Job Done' and latterly 'Rope' in the midlands.

 

Stew Mills - bass and backing vocals

 

            Stew Mills

 

 

Stew Mills - Hackensack - Give it some

 

            Most successful band ' Hackensack' in the 1970's but fond memories of 'Soft Parade' (New Faces 1974), 'Tequila Sunrise', 'Rockerbox'

and more recently, Southend party band 'The Rock Solid Experience'.   Stew Mills

 

 

Nick Warry - drums and backing vocals

 

"Nick plays an original 1956 Premier Drum Kit in blue oyster with Paiste cymbals. His rather special snare drum is a 12" Mapex Black Panther with 22 carat gold plated fittings."

 

 

 

Equipment

 

For the Buddy Holly tribute, Phil uses a Fender American Deluxe 50th Anniversary Stratocaster® or a 1950's reissue Strat,

Phil's Strat

both in two-tone (Buddy Holly) sunburst. He has a selection of other guitars, mostly Fenders, that he uses on stage and for recording. A Peavey Stereo Chorus 212 amplifier and Boss effects pedals complete his set-up.

 

 

Stew's Gibson Stew has owned his Gibson EB3 bass since 1969 which he alternates with a 1973 Fender '62 Precision Bass for the Buddy Holly spot.A Trace Elliot bass rig completes his stage set-up.          

"People often ask why I'm not using a 'stand-up' bass?" says Stew "Well, not a lot of people know this but, whilst Buddy always insisted on a double bass for recording, it wasn't practical for concerts as the microphones and PA equipment of the day couldn't handle bass! Both Joe B Mauldin and Waylon Jennings used Fender Precision basses on stage, so I do too".