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Let's get this out of the way before we go any further: It's my opinion that Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps were the greatest rock 'n' roll band that ever existed, of all time, forever, case closed, period. I'll argue this point for hours, and there's no use trying to change my mind. I refuse to even consider objectivity about another group, this is a long-time, cherished prejudice near and dear to my heart.

This explosive, nova-like unit played with all the thunder of the classic black rhythm & blues acts, boasted the chops to equal most bop jazz groups but still had a young rebel's fire that burned so brightly that it was inevitable that it couldn't last.

The original, 1956 line-up - Vincent on vocals, 'Galloping' Cliff Gallup on lead guitar, Dickie 'Be-Bop' Harrell on drums, 'Wee' Willie Williams on rhythm guitar and Jack Neal on bass - is the group that recorded such rockabilly hellfire as 'Hold Me, Hug Me, Rock Me' , 'Pink Thunderbird' , 'Cruisin' , 'B-I-Bickey-Bi-Bo' , 'Jumps, Giggles Ands Shouts'  and, of course, the well-known but relatively calm 'Be-Bop-A-Lula' , Vincent's biggest hit.

By 1957, most of these players were gone, replaced by an almost-new Blue Caps that perhaps lacked the almost frightening intensity that could make Satan shake in his hooves, but boasted a melodicism, professionalism and '50s cool to rival Buddy Holly & the Crickets, which they in fact sounded much like. Also added was a strong doo-wop sensibility, as background vocals and handclapping became important elements of the new group's sound.

The 1957 edition of the Blue Caps - Harrell, guitarist Johnny Meeks, bassist Bobby Jones and background singers/clappers Paul Peek and Tommy Facenda - were the line-up which recorded such fine sides as 'She She Little Sheila' , 'Wear My Ring' , 'Dance To The Bop'  and 'Lotta Lovin'  - Vincent's second biggest hit.