Do you love Gene Vincent as much as I do?
I'm currently on a Gene Vincent deep dive, and I want to pour my heart out about this truly unique rock 'n' roll pioneer.
I believe all the rock 'n' roll and rockabilly pioneers were interesting in their own right, but Gene's music and attitude had a unique, otherworldly quality that really set him apart from his contemporaries. With his combination of recklessness and vulnerability that was rare for his time he made a major contribution to the cultural archetype of the rocker.
Footage of Gene from the '50s clearly shows that he had an unconventional charisma that stood in stark contrast to the bulletproof confidence and showmanship of his fellow first-generation rockers. He might even have been one of the first performers to embrace his own quirks (like constantly looking upward while singing because of stage fright) and make them look cool, -something I usually associate with a later era, like '70s and '80s new wave and the like. What's more, he probably pioneered the whole tortured rock star archetype, although it's heartbreaking to think about the agony he had to endure day after day.
Gene's musical output from that era is stellar. Everyone knows how iconic his first two albums are. The songs are cheeky and fiery, yet also haunting and cryptic, and Cliff Gallup's guitar work is brilliant. But his post-Gallup releases from the late '50s are interesting as well. I particularly like Gene's rendition of the jazz standard "Summertime" - this soundtrack-worthy recording has the same cinematic power as Wanda Jackson's "Funnel of Love" and has haunted me for many years since I first heard it. As for his version of "Over the Rainbow," it straight up moves me to tears.
The '60s European period shouldn't be overlooked either. In fact, I originally discovered Gene (perhaps a bit surprisingly) through his relatively obscure 1963 live recordings with the Outlaws. The songs were called "I'm Gonna Catch Me a Rat" and "Crazy Beat". These songs have cast a spell over me for literal ages now. The live footage from that era is electrifying. Commanding the stage alongside younger musicians who clearly look up to him, Gene had this kind of eccentric professor vibe going on. Looking back at that period, it's fair to say that Gene was a very early precursor of the goth aesthetic with his high-standing black leather collar, one leather glove and a medallion. It's devastating that that era was marked by even more suffering for him.
So many rock musicians from later generations were influenced by Gene's unique aura and legacy. He is my Roman Empire too.
Does anyone else feel the same way about Gene Vincent?