Gene Vincent
Vincent Eugene Craddock (February 11, 1935 – October 12, 1971), known as Gene Vincent, was an American rock and roll musician who pioneered the style of rockabilly. His 1956 top ten hit with his backing band the Blue Caps, "Be-Bop-a-Lula", is considered a significant early example of rockabilly. His chart career was brief, especially in his home country of the US, where he notched three top 40 hits in 1956 and 1957, and never charted in the top 100 again. In the UK, he was a somewhat bigger star, racking up eight top 40 hits from 1956 to 1961.
Gene Vincent | |
|---|---|
Vincent in 1957 | |
| Born | Vincent Eugene Craddock February 11, 1935 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | October 12, 1971 (aged 36) Newhall, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouses | Ruth Ann Hand
(m. 1956; div. 1956)Darlene Hicks
(m. 1958; div. 1961)Margaret Russell
(m. 1963; div. 1965)Jackie Frisco (m. 1966) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
|
| Instrument(s) |
|
| Years active | 1955–1971 |
| Labels | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1952–1955 |
| Rank | Seaman |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
| Awards |
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal United Nations MedalRepublic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
Vincent was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He is sometimes referred to by his somewhat unusual nickname/moniker the "Screaming End".