Gene Vincent Trivia Quiz

Answer: Norfolk

Vincent Eugene Craddock (or Eugene Vincent Craddock due to various reports) was born on February 11, 1935 in Norfolk, Virginia. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Suffolk, Virginia, then back to Norfolk.

Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Producer Ken Martin asked the group what their name was, and they didn't have one at the time. Drummer Dickie Harrell blurted out, "Blue Caps" due to the fact that he had been wearing various caps for years, and President Eisenhower happened to always wear his signature BLUE one while playing his favorite sport. Golf.

Answer: Woman Love

"Woman Love" was originally the A- Side backed with "Be Bop A Lula". The record was not garnishing much play until two weeks later, when a Baltimore DJ started playing the B-Side. The rest is legend.

Answer: Bluejean Bop!

Gosh, they all sound like a debut album, don't they? Those were the titles, however, to his first four albums released by Capital Records. A toughie for sure!

Answer: James Burton

Gene went through many different personnel changes during The Blue Caps' 1956-1960 run, but James Burton was not one of them. James Burton played lead guitar for Dale Hawkins, Rick Nelson, and later down the road, Elvis Presley, but never the Caps.

Answer: Three

For a rock legend with a huge amount of great songs, Vincent did not have many top forty hits. Listed below are the three hits that Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps had garnished through the American Top 40 Network where data came through both disc jockeys, and various publications such as "Cashbox" among others. "Billboard" didn't come around till 1958. Please note that I did not include the World Top 40 charts, which includes the United Kingdom.
"Be Bop A Lula" (1956)- Peaked at Number seven (Number eight on the R&B charts)
"Lotta Lovin'" (1957)- Peaked at Number thirteen (Number seven on the R&B charts)
"Dance To The Bop" (1957)- Peaked at Number twenty-three (Number eight on the R&B charts)

Answer: Jerry Lee Merritt

Jerry Lee Merritt not only played with Gene. He played with a slew of different acts including Bobby Darren, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tex Ritter, Johnny Cash, and many others.

Answer: John Fogerty

Although all the musicians above have hailed Gene Vincent as an influence at one time or another, Jeff Beck even recorded a tribute album dedicated to the Cat Man, it was Creedence Clearwater Revival leader John Fogerty who made the rare appearance in 1997 to present the award.

Answer: Four

More than ya thought, huh?

US
1956: "The Girl Can't Help It" (with The Blue Caps)
1958: "Hot Rod Gang" (with The Blue Caps)

UK
1960: "Live It Up!"
1962: "It's Trad, Dad!"

Answer: Nineteen Seventy One

Eugene Vincent Craddock (or Vincent Eugene Craddock due to different reports) died on October 12, 1971 at his parents home in California due to a seizure brought on by his ongoing bleeding ulcers. He was only 36 years of age. Gene is now peacefully buried at Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall, California.