In February 1999, on the 40th anniversary of the events that speeded the launch of Bobby Vee’s career as a Rock and Roll musician, Governor Ed Shafer announced that Vee was to be the thirtieth recipient of North Dakota’s highest honor—the Rough Rider Award.

The Governor said. "The tragic death of Buddy Holly still haunts rock 'n' roll lovers. But I think it is appropriate for us to recognize that Feb. 3, 1959, was also the day a star was born in North Dakota."

Vee’s Web site recounts, “In the following forty plus years Bobby would go on to place thirty-eight songs in the Billboard top 100 charts, six gold singles, fourteen top forty hits and two gold albums.”

And the beat goes on…Bobby Vee and the Crickets will play the historic Fargo Theatre this month, on February 16th, for just one night.

Sources:
Cole, Janell. “Fargo native son Bobby Vee gets Rough Rider Award” The Forum 4 Feb. 1999.
http://www.bobbyvee.com/bobby.html

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