Vevo has unveiled a new episode of Footnotes, offering viewers an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes of Weezer’s iconic music video for their hit song “Buddy Holly.” Released on the 30th anniversary of the band’s seminal ‘Blue Album’ on May 10, 1994, the episode delves into the creation of the award-winning video.
In this installment, viewers learn about the video’s homage to the 70s television show ‘Happy Days’ and the innovative approach taken by director Spike Jonze. Combining authentic footage from the show with look-alike actors, Jonze meticulously recreated the iconic Happy Days set. The episode also reveals the initial hesitation of the original Happy Days cast to allow their likenesses to be used in the music video. However, Henry Winkler’s endorsement of the project, particularly as The Fonz, ultimately convinced the cast to lend their support.
Furthermore, the episode sheds light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Weezer’s decision to include “Buddy Holly” on the ‘Blue Album.’ Producer Ric Ocasek played a pivotal role in persuading the band, with former bassist citing Ocasek’s insistence that excluding the track would be unwise. Additionally, it explores the band’s unawareness of their label Geffen’s negotiation to feature the song in a CD-ROM campaign for Microsoft’s Windows 95, a move that significantly bolstered the song’s success. Guitarist Brian Bell candidly admits the band’s ignorance of the deal, humorously recalling his lack of a computer and likening the experience to being “inside the eye of a hurricane.”
FULL FOOTNOTES BELOW:
00:07 – “Buddy Holly” is from Weezer’s self-titled debut album released May 10, 1994. It’s commonly referred to as the ‘Blue Album.’
00:24 – Directed by Spike Jones, the video is a direct homage to the ‘70s sitcom ‘Happy Days.’ The actor who introduces the band is Al Molinaro, an original cast member.
00:42 – Jonze combined show footage with look-alike actors to make it seem like the band’s performance took place at key ‘Happy Days’ set location, Arnold’s Drive-In.
01:04 – Singer Rivers Cuomo wrote the chorus lyrics as a reference to his own style, which mirrored the look of ‘50s rock ‘n’ roller Buddy Holly.
01:23 – Producer Ric Ocasek, the famous frontman of The Cars, had to convince the band to include “Buddy Holly” on the ‘Blue Album.’ “Ric said we’d be stupid to leave it off the album,“ recalled ex-bassist Matt Sharp.
01:46 – Jonze also directed Weezer’s first video, “Undone – The Sweater Song.”
02:02 – Henry Winkler, whose character The Fonz became an icon of the ‘70s while affecting ‘50s cool, played a key role in convincing former ‘Happy Days’ actors to allow Weezer to use their likeness.
02:23 – Sharp said castmates were “apprehensive at first, but with The Fonz said, “I’m in,” everyone else said, “If The Fonz says it’s cool, it’s cool.”
02:44 – The video was a huge hit, winning a handful of awards at MTV VMAs, including Best Directing and Best Editing.
03:03 – Part of this success was due to its inclusion on the CD-Rom for Windows 95. The deal was negotiated between the Geffen label and Microsoft without the band’s knowledge.
03:23 – “I didn’t have a computer,” guitarist Brian Bell said about the band’s ignorance about the Microsoft deal. “It was literally like living inside the eye of the hurricane.”
03:44 – In honor of its 30th anniversary, Weezer plans to play the ‘Blue Album’ front to back on the band’s fall 2024 tour.
