When formed in 1955, the band included Willie Williams on rhythm guitar (replaced in late 1956 by Paul Peek), Jack Neal on upright bass, Dickie Harrell on drums, and Cliff Gallup on lead guitar. The band quickly gained a reputation playing in various country bars in Norfolk, Virginia (where Vincent was born. There they won a talent contest organized by a local radio DJ, "Sheriff Tex" Davis, who then became Vincent's manager.
After "Be-Bop-a-Lula" became a hit, Vincent & His Blue Caps were unable to follow it up with the same level of commercial success, although they released critically acclaimed songs like "Race with the Devil" (number 96 on the US Billboard chart and number 50 on the US Cash Box chart) and "Bluejean Bop" (number 49 on the US Billboard chart and another million-selling disc).
Cliff Gallup left the band in 1956, and Russell Williford joined as the new guitarist for the Blue Caps. Williford played and toured Canada with Vincent in late 1956 but left the group in early 1957. Gallup came back to do the next album and then left again. Williford came back and exited again before Johnny Meeks joined the band. The group had another hit in 1957 with "Lotta Lovin'" (highest position number 13 and spending 19 weeks on the Billboard chart and number 17 and 17 weeks on the Cashbox chart). Vincent was awarded gold records for two million sales of "Be-Bop-a-Lula", and 1.5 million sales of "Lotta Lovin'".
On November 17, 1957, Vincent & His Blue Caps performed "Be-Bop-a-Lula" on the nationally broadcast US television program The Ed Sullivan Show. The song spent nine weeks on the Billboard chart and peaked at number 23 on January 23, 1958 and reached number 36 and spent eight weeks on the US Cashbox chart. It was Vincent's last American hit single. The song was used in the movie Hot Rod Gang for a dance rehearsal scene featuring dancers doing the West Coast Swing.
Vincent & His Blue Caps also appeared several times on Town Hall Party, California's largest country music barn dance, held at the Town Hall in Compton, California. They appeared on October 25, 1958, and July 25 and November 7, 1959.
By the end of 1959 the Blue Caps were no longer part of the billing on Gene Vincent records. The late 1959 single "Wild Cat" was credited solely to Gene Vincent, and this would be the case on all subsequent Gene Vincent releases.
Gene Vincent, real name Vincent Eugene Craddock, (February 11, 1935 – October 12, 1971) was an American rockabilly pioneer musician, best known for his hit “Be-Bop-A-Lula”.
Early life:
His parents, Ezekiah Jackson and Mary Louise Craddock, were shop owners in Norfolk, Virginia. He grew up in Virginia under the influence of country, Rhythm and Blues and Gospel music. He received his first guitar as a gift from a friend at the age of 12.
In 1952 Gene left school and joined the Navy. In 1955 he was stationed in Korea, where he suffered a severe motorcycle accident that shattered his left leg. He refused to have it amputated, the leg was saved, but left him with a permanent limp and considerable chronic pain for the rest of his life.
Early career:
He left the Navy and started playing in various country bands in his native Norfolk, Virginia. In 1956 he wrote "Be-Bop-A-Lula", which helped him sign a contract at Capitol Records with his backing band The Blue Caps.
After "Be-Bop-A-Lula" had become a huge hit, Gene Vincent & the Blue Caps were unable to follow it up with the same level of commercial success but recorded critically acclaimed songs like "Bluejean Bop" and "Race with the Devil". That year, Vincent was reputedly convicted of public obscenity and fined $10,000 by the state of Virginia for his live performance of the erotic song, "Woman Love", although this is now believed to have been just a rumor.
The group had another hit with 1957's "Lotta Lovin'." Vincent also became one of the first rock stars to star in a film, The Girl Can't Help It together with Jayne Mansfield.
There were numerous changes of personnel in his backing group, The Blue Caps. However, a dispute with the US Tax Authorities and The American Musicians' Union over payments to his band and his having sold the band's equipment to pay a tax bill led him to leave the USA and try his hand in Europe.
Following a tour through Europe in 1959, Vincent managed to attract a new huge and discerning audience there, especially in England and France. By that time his career had mostly ended in the US. Consequently, he moved to England in 1960. His stage shows became "must see" events and his bands through those years were to spawn some of the most respected players in the world today. It was during his early tours of Britain that he adopted the trademark leather outfit, at the suggestion of British Rock 'n' Roll impressario, Jack Good.
In 1960, while on tour in Britain, Vincent and songwriter Sharon Sheeley were seriously injured in a high-speed traffic accident in a private hire taxi travelling through Chippenham, Wiltshire on the A4. The car, a Ford Consul, suffered a blowout causing it to swerve and crash into a lamp post. Vincent broke his ribs, collarbone, and added further damage to his already weak leg, and Sheeley suffered a broken pelvis. Both Vincent and Sheeley survived, but the accident killed Vincent's tourmate and Sheeley's fiancé, Eddie Cochran.
Later career:
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 the Capitol Records label.
On the album "I'm Back and I'm Proud" recorded for long-time fan John Peel's Dandelion label, Gene was backed by members of The Doors, whose lead singer, Jim Morrison, copied Gene's 'Leather Look'.
He has achieved a genuine legendary status and his work is respected, and often copied, by singers and groups worldwide. His major hit, Be-Bop-A-Lula has become what is considered to be one of the top three rock'n'roll records of all time and has rightly earned Gene a place in the history of modern music. Had he managed to survive through the Punk years, he would undoubtedly still be a leading figure in contemporary rock'n'roll.
On his final tour of the UK, he was backed by The Wild Angels, a British band who had previously worked at the Royal Albert Hall with Bill Haley & the Comets and Duane Eddy. Because of pressure from his ex-wife, the Inland Revenue and promoter Don Arden, Gene had to return rather swiftly to the USA.
Gene Vincent died from a ruptured stomach ulcer while visiting his father in California, and is interred in the Eternal Valley Memorial Park, Newhall, California.
He was the first inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame on its formation in 1997. The following year he was also posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Cat Man
Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cat man's a-comin', running about
Cat man's a-comin', lookin' for a girl
Better hide your sister man!
"See" is for the crazy hairdo that he wears around
"A" is for the arms, that he'll sneak around your waist
"T" is for the taste of lips belong to you
(yeah...git it...go!)
"M" is for the mean things that this mean man does
"A" is for a-lot-of hearts that he has ever broke
"N" is for the names of the list you may be on
Cat man, cat man!
(rock!)
Cat man a-lookin' for a woman all day long
Ah-better watch out 'cause he is in you midst
Ah-better watch out 'cause or you're gonna be kissed
Better watch out 'cause he is in you midst
Cat man, cat man! (yeah)
Better watch out 'cause I'm the cat man
Cat man!
The opening lyrics of Gene Vincent's "Cat Man" present a warning of sorts - "Cat man's a-coming, you better look out. Cat man's a-comin', running about." This indicates that the Cat Man is someone to be wary of. There is a sense of danger and mischief associated with him, which is heightened when Vincent sings, "Cat man's a-comin', lookin' for a girl. Better hide your sister man!" Here, Vincent suggests that the Cat Man is on the prowl and is likely to steal away young women if they're not careful. The use of the word "Cat" in this context, implies that the Cat Man is sly and nimble, with a propensity to pounce, much like a cat.
The following verses of the song spell out "CAT MAN" and each letter stands for a different characteristic associated with the Cat Man. The first verse spells out "CAT" and stands for the various features of the Cat Man that make him attractive to women. For instance, "See" is for the crazy hairdo that he wears around; "A" is for the arms, that he'll sneak around your waist; "T" is for the taste of lips belong to you. However, the second verse spells out "MAN" and stands for the negative features of the Cat Man, such as "M" is for the mean things that this mean man does; "A" is for a-lot-of hearts that he has ever broke; "N" is for the names of the list you may be on. Vincent's lyrics suggest that though he may be alluring and appealing on the surface, the Cat Man is actually dangerous and untrustworthy.
Line by Line Meaning
Cat man's a-coming, you better look out
Be aware that Cat Man is nearby and might cause harm
Cat man's a-comin', running about
Cat Man is moving fast, be cautious
Cat man's a-comin', lookin' for a girl
Cat Man is on the hunt for a woman
Better hide your sister man!
Protect your sister from Cat Man
"See" is for the crazy hairdo that he wears around
He has a wild hairstyle
"A" is for the arms, that he'll sneak around your waist
He might try to hug or embrace you from behind
"T" is for the taste of lips belong to you
He wants to kiss you
Cat man, cat man! (yeah...git it...go!)
Reinforcement of his identity
"M" is for the mean things that this mean man does
He has a history of doing harmful or cruel things
"A" is for a-lot-of hearts that he has ever broke
He has caused emotional pain to many women
"N" is for the names of the list you may be on
You could be one of the women he has hurt in the past
(rock!)
An expression of enthusiasm
Cat man a-lookin' for a woman all day long
Cat Man spends his whole day searching for a woman to pursue
Ah-better watch out 'cause he is in you midst
Be careful, he might be right there with you
Ah-better watch out 'cause or you're gonna be kissed
Be cautious or he might try to kiss you
Better watch out 'cause he is in you midst
Again, be careful, he might be nearby
Cat man, cat man! (yeah)
Reinforcement of his identity
Better watch out 'cause I'm the cat man
A direct warning, he is the Cat Man and might cause harm
Cat man!
Final reinforcement of his identity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILL DAVIS, GENE VINCENT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind