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.
Lotta Lovin'
Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta huggin'
So baby can't you see that you were meant for me
I want your lovin', yes-a-ree
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta huggin'
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta kissin'
So baby please proceed to get the love I need
Well, I want you, I love you, I need you so much
Why don't you give out with that magic touch?
You send me, you thrill me, baby, you're so fine
I want your lovin' baby, all the time
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta lovin'
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta kissin'
So baby don't forget, I'm gonna get you yet
I want your lovin', aw you bet (rock)
Well, I want you, I love you, I need you so much
Why don't you give out with that magic touch?
You send me, you thrill me, baby you're so fine
I want your lovin' baby all the time
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta lovin'
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta huggin'
So baby don't forget I gonna get you yet
I want your lovin', aw you bet (rock)
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta lovin'
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta huggin'
But baby don't forget, I gonna get you yet
I want your lovin', aw you bet
Well, I need your lovin', aw you bet
Well, I want your lovin', aw you bet
Well, I need your lovin', aw you bet
Well, I want your lovin', aw you bet
The lyrics to "Lotta Lovin'" by Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps are a declaration of love and desire. The singer wants a lot of love, hugging, and kissing from their partner, and they believe that their partner is meant for them. They ask their partner to give them the love they need and to not forget that they will eventually get it. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes their love and need for their partner, asking for their affection and touch.
The repeated phrases "I want a-want a lotta-lotta lovin'" and "I want a-want a lotta-lotta huggin'" convey a sense of urgency and desire. The singer is passionate and persistent in their pursuit of affection from their partner. The lyrics also highlight the idea of reciprocity in relationships, as the singer says they need their partner's love just as much as they want it.
Overall, "Lotta Lovin'" is a catchy and upbeat love song that celebrates the power of love and the desire for physical affection in romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta lovin'
I want a whole lot of love
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta huggin'
I want a lot of hugs
So baby can't you see that you were meant for me
We're meant to be together
I want your lovin', yes-a-ree
I want your love
Well, I want a-want a lotta-lotta kissin'
I want a lot of kisses
So baby please proceed to get the love I need
Please give me the love I want
I want your lovin' yes indeed
I really want your love
Well, I want you, I love you, I need you so much
I really want, love, and need you
Why don't you give out with that magic touch?
Why don't you give me your special touch?
You send me, you thrill me, baby, you're so fine
You make me happy and excited, you're amazing
I want your lovin' baby, all the time
I want your love all the time
So baby don't forget, I'm gonna get you yet
I will get your love eventually
I want your lovin', aw you bet (rock)
I want your love for sure
But baby don't forget, I gonna get you yet
I will get your love eventually
Well, I need your lovin', aw you bet
I really need your love
Well, I want your lovin', aw you bet
I really want your love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernice Bedwell, Gene Vincent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fntime
colin for me music has a 3 year cycle. For R n R :
1955-57
1958-60
1961-63
1964-66
1967-69
1970-72
I have many playlist from each year. I got this
song from this very eclectic playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL240940E21E6C83E3
Philip Rees
1957 and this was the beginning.. what a true artist Gene Vincent was ...
Sakura_Flower
Pas du tout de ma génération 😮Mais la musique et la voie de Gene Vincent me vont droit au cœur 💓💓💓
Merveilleux Blue Caps
stephen stone
Pure gem from an incredible period of music.
Sean Queripel
Gene vincent is and all ways be the king of Rockabilly
Jack Dempsey
This is the best type of music that never dies. Long live Rockabilly and Rock N Roll 🎸
Miguel Angel Juarez
Os viejos rockeros nunca moriremos viva el rock n roll y sus pioneros.
Lisha Fuller
Great!!! Gene Vincent, such a great artist
Birgit Conrad
Cooooool!!!
Top Hat Comics
I'm just 13 years old and I love this music. It holds a special place in my heart and one of my biggest wishes would be to live, even for a day in that era. It's sad when your idols are all dead. When you crack a smile when you listen to dead people sing. One day I hope the world at large holds a mirror to itself and realizes how far we have departed from good old values like those in the 50s. For all those who listen to this music and are around my age you have my utmost respect for helping to carry on the most amazing time in American History (I'm from Canada so us too).
TonysRockinTube
That's Cool! Keep Rockin :)