CLASSIC ROCK-A-BILLY FROM GENE VINCENT AND HIS BLUE CAPS ON A UK CAPITOL 78

RACE WITH THE DEVIL

b/w  GONNA BACK UP BABY

THIS GREAT GENE VINCENT ROCKER ONLY JUST MADE IT INTO THE UK CHARTS REACHING A LOWLY #28 AND ONLY STAYING IN THE CHARTS 1 WEEK AND IS GETTING HARD TO FIND.

RACE WITH THE DEVIL

Well Ive led an evil life, so they say

But Ill out run the devil on judgement day, I said

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line, oh yeah!

Well me and the devil, at a stop light

He started rollin, I was out of sight, I said

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line, oh yeah!

Well, goin pretty fast, looked behind

A-hear come the the devil doin ninety-nine, I said

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line, oh yeah! (lets drag now)

Well thought I was smart, the race was won

A-hear come the devil doin a-hundred and one

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line (lets drag again)

Well, goin pretty fast, looked behind

A-hear come the the devil doin ninety-nine, I said

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line, oh yeah!

Well Ive led an evil life, so they say

But Ill hide from the devil on judgement day, I said

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move, hot-rod, move man!

Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line.”

The original set of Blue Caps of lead guitarist Cliff Gallup, rhythm guitarist Willie Williams, bassist Jack Neal and drummer Dickie Harrell. Their work is revered by discriminating rock and rollers to this day. No less a disciple than guitarist Jeff Beck paid tribute Vincent-and, especially, to Gallup’s fiery fretwork-on an album of covers entitled Crazy Legs. Capitol released six albums by Vincent and the Blue Caps between 1957 and 1960, all of which rank among the priciest and most collectable LPs of the rock and roll era. Original copies of Vincent’s Capitol albums routinely change hands for $400.

Vincent appeared in The Girl Can’t Help It (1956), one of the earliest rock and roll films, alongside , , and others. An archetypal Fifties rocker with a souped-up sound and dishevelled look, Vincent embodied the image of rebellion. Over in England, he appeared dressed in black leather on a British TV show-the first rock and roller to be so attired. Though he toured and recorded incessantly, Vincent’s popularity waned at home as the rockabilly era gave way to that of manicured teen idols. He nonetheless remained a revered star in Britain and Europe throughout the Sixties.

Vincent was seriously hurt in the same car crash outside London that killed Eddie Cochran in 1960. Even before the accident Vincent walked with a limp as the result of a 1955 motorcycle mishap. There was even talk of amputation at a Veterans Administration hospital in 1966. Vincent recorded intermittently in the Sixties while remaining an in-demand live performer, especially when listeners rediscovered the roots of rock. John Peel, a legendary British disk jockey and producer, released I’m Back and I’m Proud in 1970 on his Dandelion label, and it was the best of several attempted comeback records. Yet Vincent’s later years were troubled ones that found him plagued by chronic pain and drinking problems. He died in 1971 of a bleeding ulcer at age 36. 

AS IAN DURY SAID - SWEET GENE VINCENT!!!!

DISC DETAILS:

UK CAPITOL CL 14628    10" 78rpm shellac