Gene Vincent

Gene Vincent, real name Eugene Vincent Craddock (February 11, 1935 - October 12, 1971) was an American rockabilly musician, best known for his hit "Be-Bop-A-Lula". He started playing in various country bands in Norfolk, Virginia after leaving the Navy with a permanent leg injury. He signed at Capitol Records with his backing band The Blue Caps.

After "Be-Bop-A-Lula" became a huge hit in 1956, Gene Vincent & the Blue Caps were unable to follow it up with mainstream success in spite of critically acclaimed songs like "Bluejean Bop" and "Race with the Devil". The group's only other hit was "Lotta Lovin'" (1957). Vincent also became one of the first rock stars to star in a film, The Girl Can't Help It. By the 1960s, Vincent's career had mostly ended in the US, though he maintained an audience in Europe, especially England and France.

His attempts to re-establish his American career by recording in folk-rock and country-rock styles proved unsuccessful, and he is most remembered today for his recordings of the 1950s and early 1960s which originally appeared on Capitol.

Gene Vincent is interred in the Eternal Valley Memorial Park, Newhall, California.

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