Today's post (the second music-themed one of 2024) shall delve into classic 1950's style rock n' roll and rockabilly. One of the very best early rockers was Gene Vincent (February 11, 1935 - October 12, 1971).
My personal favorite Gene Vincent clip is that of he and his excellent band performing in Brussels in 1963. TRUST ME, to get the opportunity to rock out like this, literally lying down on the stage while soloing at high intensity on those Fender axes, is every guitarist's dream come true.
More importantly, the preceding clip also illustrates that, due to severe injuries he suffered in motorcycle and automobile accidents, Gene pushed through difficulties and an extraordinary amount of physical pain all the time.
Paul McCartney, who crossed paths with him often during the Beatles' early days, remembers Gene.
Gene's band The Blue Caps were among the great early rock groups and featured guitarist Cliff Gallop.
Gene and The Blue Caps followed Elvis Presley in appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show.
The Stray Cats paid tribute to Gene and Eddie "Summertime Blues" Cochran with the following excellent tune, GENE & EDDIE.
Not surprisingly, the Stray Cats' rendition of Gene's biggest hit, Be Bop A Lula, is not too shabby!
The tune that Gene and Eddie did together, WHITE LIGHTNING, remains one of the blazing early rock classics.
Gene and Eddie often performed together.
Now let's hear the original, which appeared in Frank Tashlin's brilliant, prescient and often satiric 1956 movie The Girl Can't Help It.
John Waters, an enthusiastic fan of The Girl Can't Help It, agrees and clearly enjoys both the rock n' roll and the gnarly quality of Gene and he Blue Caps.
Turns out both Gene and Eddie were in The Girl Can't Help It. Eddie's performance of 20 Flight Rock inspired rockers in movie theaters around the world.
Fortunately, some good documentaries were produced covering the life and career of Gene Vincent.
The last Gene Vincent performance I have seen is his set from the 1969 Isle of Wight festival. While early rock n'roll and rockability had long since given way in popularity by then to psychedelia and prog rock, who cares - Gene still sounds great.
This Isle of Wight performance is also seen in the following documentary, Gene Vincent: The Rock N' Roll Singer.
Rockabilly fans, go for that double dose of Stray Cats, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, Sun Records era Elvis and early Beatles with gusto. Football fans, enjoy the 58th Super Bowl.
Pleased to see that my hometown team, the San Francisco 49ers, shall be in the game. I'm hoping for an exciting, high scoring and touchdown-filled contest that goes into overtime! Many outstanding players - tight ends George Kittle and Travis Kelce, running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receivers Rashee Rice, Deebo Samuels and Brandon Aiyuk and, last but not least, top-notch quarterbacks Patrick "MVP" Mahomes and the unassuming but remarkably effective Brock "underestimate me at your peril" Purdy - will rock the gridiron in Vegas.
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