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The inspiration to create theatrical work can come from many places. It can start as a spark of revelation or it can begin out of utter frustration. British producer (and longtime Buddy Holly fan) Laurie Mansfield was so irritated by the inaccuracies of the 1978 film The Buddy Holly Story that he decided to take matters into his own hands. With the collaboration of Sir Paul McCartney (who owned the rights to Buddy Holly’s music,) writer Alan Janes, and producers Paul Elliot and Greg Smith, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story was born and took the West End by storm in 1989. Buddy the Musical had a brief stint on Broadway before commencing on several national tours on different continents. A new U.S. tour has launched this season and Broadway In Chicago is proud to present this show at the Cadillac Theatre. But who exactly was the icon that inspired the musical?