On the Fringe

What artists' careers have encompassed the Countrypolitan style, either substantially or "On The Fringe?"
A different artist will be featured every month in this new series of articles.

Gene Vincent


	Click on thumbnail image for enlarged photo. Photos borrowed from Gene's Official Website and this Fan-Dedicated Website.				Although essentially not considered to be a countrypolitan artist, Gene Vincent’s musical overtures late in his career demonstrate that he was certainly "on the fringe" of the genre. Whilst predominantly rock ‘n’ roll, Gene’s style, over the years, also encompassed blues, rhythm and blues, and country. Rockabilly, boogie, Western Swing and some Countrypolitan were Gene’s prime country offerings. Gene Vincent was born Vincent Eugene Craddock in Norfolk, Virginia in 1935. At the age of 12, Gene was given his first guitar. He loved it. He played gospel, country and blues tunes of the day, mainly on his front porch for people passing by. Gene’s main influences at the time were Hank Williams, The Delmore Brothers, Moon Mullican and Bill Monroe. Gene joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 but his service was cut short by an accident while riding his motorcycle. Gene’s leg was badly injured. Fortunately, the leg was saved from amputation, but the attachment of a steel brace was required. In 1955, Gene attended a concert in Norfolk - "Hank Snow’s All Star Jamboree". Gene was most impressed by one of the artists on the bill - a young rockabilly singer, Elvis Presley. This young singer certainly spurred Gene’s interest in music and, in 1956, Gene appeared on "WCMS Country Showtime" singing "Be Bop A Lula" backed by the WCMS staff band, "The Virginians." Enthused, Gene formed his own band from the "The Virginians." The band were to become known as the "The Blue Caps" as they wore blue cloth caps in the style of then President Eisenhower’s golfing cap. In 1956, Gene recorded "Be Bop A Lula," "Race With The Devil" and a country song "I Sure Miss You" in the WCMS studio. Capital Records producer, Ken Nelson, heard the songs, liked them, and immediately sent Gene and the band to re-record the songs commercially in the Nashville studios of Owen Bradley, who had previous success recording Johnny Carroll and Buddy Holly. The recorded "Be Bop A Lula" sold 200,000 copies. It was a hit. 1956 was a big year for Gene Vincent. Gene and The Blue Caps recorded their first album, "Blue Jean Bop" while "The Jordanaires," countrypolitan and Elvis’ backing group of note, added background vocals to some of the tracks. Gene also appeared in the movie, "The Girl Can’t Help It" singing "Be Bop A Lula" and earned a stint at the "The Sands" Las Vegas. However year’s end brought a management dispute and a recurrence of Gene’s leg injury, so he returned to hospital. Gene began to develop a dependence on alcohol to ease the pain. In 1957, Gene reformed the band, still called "The Blue Caps" but with new personnel. Changes in the make-up of the band were to become more common. 1957 also had its high points. Gene appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and also performed in another movie, "Hot Rod Gang." Gene, however, had always had a penchant for the blues and this was beginning to be reflected in his recordings, as were touches of country. Gene released other records and, after recording the album, "A Gene Vincent Record Date," toured the U.S. and Australia with Eddie Cochran, Little Richard and Aussie rocker, Johnny O’Keefe. However, 1958 was not without it’s problems. "The Blue Caps" disbanded and Gene once again split with his management. Gene’s popularity had started to wane in the U.S.A., however overseas beckoned Gene. He toured Japan, but England was the logical choice for a tour as Gene had a cult following over there. So Gene decided to pursue a career in England. In 1959, Gene travelled to London. He appeared on Marty Wilde’s "Boy Meets Girl" TV Show. Jack Good, the English promoter arranged for Gene to be dressed in black leather and chains to suit the "biker" image that had been adopted and accepted by the British fans. Gene also recorded a number of singles in the U.K. Two of them, "My Heart" and "Wild Cat," made the U.K. charts. Tragedy struck once again in 1960. Gene had joined Eddie Cochran for a U.K. tour. However, after a show in Bristol, a taxi in which they were travelling crashed. Eddie Cochran was killed. Gene broke his arm and injured his leg again. So Gene returned to the U.S.A. but, not to be deterred, returned to England to record "Pistol Packin’ Mama" at EMI’s Abbey Road Studio. Future English pop star, Georgie Fame, was in the backing group. Gene continued to spend much of his time in England. In 1961, he appeared in the movie, "It’s Trad, Dad," toured with top British group "Sound Incorporated," and recorded another U.K. hit, "She She Sheila." In 1962, Gene toured the U.K. again with Brenda Lee and appeared on the TV show, "Thank Your Lucky Stars." The arrival of the Beatles in 1963 tolled the death knell for many established rock’n’roll artists. Gene’s records failed to make the charts and, by 1965, his career had hit bottom, with a consequent negative effect on his health. But Gene bounced back with an European tour in 1967. Gene’s years with Capitol ('56-'64) evidenced a mixture of rock and blues. But in the '60's and '70's Gene changed his style to blues and country material incorporating a number of countrypolitan offerings. These included versions of Don Gibson’s "Oh, Lonesome Me," Hank Snow’s "I’m Movin’ On," and Jim Reeves’ "Distant Drums." In 1971, on his final tour of England, Gene’s health was once again suffering. Gene returned to California where he died from a bleeding ulcer at the very young age of 36. Doubtless, had Gene Vincent’s life not been so tragically curtailed, the world would have enjoyed further blues and country and, very probably, many more countrypolitan offerings from this fine artist. Gene was admitted to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, and is also acclaimed by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. But who knows, had Gene Vincent’s stay on this Earth been longer he may have even developed into a fully fledged countrypolitan artist instead of remaining "on the fringe." *Written by Michael D'Arcy. March 2001, Countrypolitan.com.* Visit Gene's Official Website.

See who else has been "On The Fringe." Find past articles in our Archives.

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