Longtime Promoter and Producer Remembers Singer Bobby Vee

Singer Bobby Vee died at the age of 73. Vee called Minnesota home and never forgot his friends and family.

Bobby Vee rose to stardom after playing a show in Moorhead, Minnesota. He took the stage last minute and filled in for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper who all died in a plane crash in Iowa in 1959.

As Vee’s songs rose on the charts, his ego did not.

Bobby Vee’s songs took him around the world, but never forgot his Midwestern roots in North Dakota and Minnesota.

“He was just a regular guy,” said longtime promoter Tracy Lundeen.

A day after the music died, another star rose.

“They asked him what’s the name of your band and he looked over and saw some shadows of the guys standing there and went the shadows,” said Lundeen.

Tracy Lundeen became friends with Vee later in the singer’s career. He interviewed Vee several times for Lundeen’s radio show and promoted several of Vee’s area concerts.

“Bobby was the real deal. He was a great guy. He was not the slightest bit arrogant and what a lot of people in with his level of fame came at a very young age,” said Lundeen.

Vee infulenced the sound of his time, including Bob Dylan.

“He was a Minnesota of North Dakota boy,” said Lundeen.

Vee passed away from Alzheimer’s, but the music plays on and now reaches some higher notes.

“I’m glad that he passed away peacefully and now he’s with his wife, another great musician having a jam session right now,” said Lundeen.

Lundeen said one of his favorite Vee moments was seeing the Beach Boys in concert in Las Vegas.

Vee and Lundeen kept in touch until Vee was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Vee played his last show in 2011.