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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZVINCENT, Gene(b Eugene Vincent Craddock, 11 Nov. '35, Norfolk VA; d 12 Oct. '71, LA) Rock'n'roller of the '50s; turned out of US Navy after breaking his leg (subsequently wore a brace), turned to music. Local disc jockey Bill 'Sheriff Tex' Davis cut Vincent demo of 'Be-Bop-A-Lula', basic rock'n'roll based on 'Money Honey', got contract with Capitol; semi-pro group christened Blue Caps (Cliff Gallup, Willie Williams, guitars; Jack Neal, bass; Dickie Harrell, drums) re-cut track in Nashville; slated as B side to Vincent's own 'Woman Love' but jockeys flipped the disc and sent 'Be-Bop-A-Lula' (co- credited to the wily Davis) to no. 7 USA '56. Follow-ups 'Race With The Devil' and 'Bluejean Bop' failed, though they played the hit in film The Girl Can't Help It '56; 'Lotta Lovin'' brought him back to US chart '57 (no. 13), and revamped Blue Caps with Johnny Meeks on lead guitar were a big live attraction. Band split '58; Vincent's refusal to conform, Capitol's refusal to pay payola, persecution by tax people led to emigration to UK '59. Last US top 40 hit was 'Dance To The Bop' (no. 23 '58); UK pop impresario Jack Good encouraged rebel image, dressed him in leather. Notched eight UK top 40 hits '56--61; more importantly, he was rock'n'roll's biggest live draw. Constant touring proved a strain; the car crash that killed Eddie Cochran injured Vincent's leg again '60 and a drinking problem didn't help. Returned to USA '65, cut some country tracks for Challenge; returned to UK '69 and '71, a bloated parody of himself. Died of ulcers. Temperamental and unpredictable, he was unfortunate to find his best form during an era when teen dreams like Ricky Nelson held sway in USA and Elvis Presley was going soft; he was never appreciated there as the supercharged rocker he was. |