By Shelley Koppel

Entertainment writer

FORT PIERCE- Bobby Vee comes from a musical family. His father played the violin and piano, his uncle the sax and his two older brothers, guitar. He played the sax in high school in Fargo, N.D., but traded it in for a guitar he found in a pawn shop for $30. He didn't have the last few dollars and his dad went it to bring it home.

The younger Vee, who shortened the family name of Velline, began playing the new style of music, rock 'n roll, and 50 years later, he's still touring, now with singers Brian Hyland and Shirley Alston Reeves of the Shirelles.

They bring their rock 'n roll memories to the Sunrise Theatre on Jan. 8 and Mr. Vee spoke recently about the sad day that started his career and a piano player named Bob Dylan.

Mr. Vee was 15 and playing in a rock 'n roll band on Feb 3, 1959. He had tickets for a show in Moorhead, Minn., starring Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper.

"I came home from school for lunch," Mr. Vee said. "I walked in and hear the radio. They were talking about the tour. I got closer and my mom was in the kitchen, staring out the window. As I listened, they weren't plugging the show. They were talking about a plane crash. I was stunned."

Of course, Buddy Holly and the others were on that plane, and Feb. 3, 1959 became known as "the day the music died." However, the remaining acts, including Dion and the Belmonts and Waylon Jennings, who played bass for Buddy Holly, had arrived in town. They decided to go on with the show and asked for fill-in bands.

"Our bass player called and they said to come on down to the Moorhead Armory," Mr. Vee said. "We were on and the host asked for our band's name. We didn't have one and stared at the floor. I said, The Shadows. I'm not sure where it came from.

"At that moment, I was scared to death," he said. "By the second song, it was fun, but I had mixed emotions. I'd lost my heroes, but I was finding some joy in it. We got through the night. It was like a rock 'n roll wake. When our part was over, we had school the next day. As we left the promoter gave us his card."

They began playing locally and eventually got a record contract. With hits like "Susie Baby," "Devil or Angel" and "Take Good Care of My Baby," Mr. Vee's career was on its way.

Today, he is proud to perform with friends Brian Hyland and Shirley Alston Reeves and with several of his sons, who are in the band.

"I hope I perform forever," he said.

"The fans, the people who come to the shows, grew up with rock 'n roll. Nostalgia is a good thing. We remember the good stuff."

And where does Bob Dylan fit in? In those days, he called himself Elston Gunn.

"In the beginning, we were looking for a piano player," Mr. Vee said. "He had relatives in the area and heard we were looking. He came up to my brother Bill. He played "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On." I think he only knew one song."

Elston Gunn didn't stay with them for long. He changed his name to Bob Dylan and went solo.

Bobby Vee, Brian Hyland and Shirley Alston Reeves perform at the Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. Second St., Fort Pierce, on Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $75 VIP seating, $45 and $39. Call the box office at (772) 461-4775 or order online at www.sunrisetheatre.com.