Dave LaFame, Roy Orbison tribute artist, will be performing at the Ponoka Golf Club on Sunday, Sept. 12, starting at 5 p.m.
Teenaged Orbison knew his future would be as a rock ’n’ roll singer. To disguise his white hair and nearsightedness caused by a childhood illness, he dyed his hair black and bought a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, giving himself a unique look later popularized by fellow Texan Buddy Holly. “Ooby Dooby,” his 1954 debut record wasn’t an instant hit. But Roy was a patient guy. He honed his skills as a singer, guitar player and songwriter. In 1960 his patience began to pay off and by 1964 he had placed 22 songs in the Top 40, catapulting him to worldwide fame.
As a teenager in England Dave LaFame yearned to tour the world as a rock ’n’ roll singer. He spent years working on his vocals and guitar playing until he could sing and play almost any song he had ever heard and mimic the sound of most popular recording stars. As a member of numerous “skiffle” bands he played in every corner of the UK. Finally an opportunity to play in Las Vegas came his way. It was the chance of a lifetime and he wasn’t going to pass it up. Over the past 20 years, Dave has performed throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, on cruises, in theaters and at conventions as a tribute artist, backup singer or musician. Besides Roy Orbison, Dave has performed tributes to Tom Jones and Bobby Darin and is currently a member of the Florida-based “BeeGees Now.”
One of the toughest challenges facing a tribute artist is choosing the right songs. Some forget that the audience came to hear the songs they know and love, not obscure “album cuts” designed to show off a singer’s voice. No matter how many times a performer has sung a song, if it was a hit, the audience is expecting to hear it. The old showbiz rule “give’em what they came for” always applies. Dave LaFame knows the songs the fans want to hear, so his show includes “Pretty Woman,” “Only The Lonely,” “In Dreams,” “Crying,” “Running Scared,” “Uptown”and “California Blue.”
That’s why Roy Orbison fans return again and again to Dave’s shows.
- Submitted by Ponoka Golf Club