Vevo Footnotes Celebrates Weezer’s ‘Buddy Holly’ As The ‘Blue Album’ Turns 30
Directed by Spike Jonze, the song’s video famously pays tribute to the much-love 70s show ‘Happy Days.’
Today, Vevo released a new installment of Footnotes, taking viewers behind the scenes of the official music video for Weezer’s smash hit “Buddy Holly,” on the 30th anniversary of the band’s ‘Blue Album,’ released on May 10, 1994.
Shop the best of Weezer’s discography on vinyl and more.
The episode details the award-winning “Buddy Holly” video, how it pays homage to the 70s show Happy Days, and describes how director Spike Jonze combines actual show footage with look-alike actors to recreate the famous set to make it seem like the band’s performance took place at key Happy Days set location, Arnold’s Drive-In. You can check the footage out below.
Additionally, it explains that the original Happy Days actors were hesitant about allowing their likeness to be used in the music video. But Henry Winkler, who played The Fonz, convinced the cast by allowing his likeness to be used and everyone agreeing that, “If The Fonz says it’s cool, it’s cool.”
The episode recounts how ‘Blue Album’ producer Ric Ocasek had to persuade the band to include “Buddy Holly” on the album, with Weezer’s ex-bassist stating that Ric insisted they’d “be stupid to leave it off.” Additionally, it describes that the band was unaware that their label Geffen negotiated for the song to be featured in the CD-ROM campaign for Microsoft’s Windows 95. Ultimately, the campaign contributed to its tremendous success. Weezer guitarist Brian Bell admitted the band’s ignorance about the deal, stating “I didn’t have a computer,” and afterwards, “it was literally like living inside the eye of a hurricane.”
Last month, Weezer officially announced an extensive North American tour in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the band’s career-defining, self-titled debut Weezer, also known as the ‘Blue Album.’
They will play Weezer (the Blue Album) in full along with other fan favorites, rarities and more. On this anniversary tour produced by Live Nation, Weezer will be joined by The Flaming Lips and Dinosaur Jr. as support. Visit the band’s official website for further information.
Listen to the best of Weezer on Apple Music and Spotify.
