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Gene Vincent was an antidote to the pretty boys of rock 'n' roll ... the original anti-hero of rock 'n' roll. With a look that was menacing and tough, he refused to tow the line and suck up to the 'men in suits', who he never really trusted anyway. This gave the music industry a rebel they couldn't handle.

The business side of the music industry held no interest for Gene, which left him unco-operative with attempts to promote him. Unlike notable contemporaries like Elvis, he wasn't prepared to allow his music or image to be watered down for a wider audience. Gene was often in pain from his injured leg, a legacy of a motorcycle accident while he was in the Navy. Although Gene's personal life was a mess, to hear him sing was pure bliss. Gene Vincent was born in Norfolk Virginia ...that much we do know. Exactly when isn't known for sure. His birth certificate states that he was born on February 11th, 1935. His mother, however, claims that the birth certificate was wrong and that Gene was born on February 17th. To further confuse the issue, Gene's sister Evelyn told author Britt Hagarty that Gene was born on Washington's birthday, February 22nd. It is often stated that Gene's real name was Eugene Vincent Craddock , however his gravestone and naval records show his name as Vincent Eugene Craddock . Those who knew him well usually called him Gene  although some friends called him Vince . Gene Vincent's musical career began after he received his discharge from the Navy. His first recordings were made in 1956 at a time when real rock 'n' roll was at the height of its popularity. The A side of his first single was 'Woman Love'  - a wild and breathless song. Gene's breathy style of delivery resulted in the following lines being misinterpreted as obscene.

I'm looking for a woman With a one track mind Just a kissin' and a smoochin' And a huggin' all the time ...

DJs playing the single flipped it over and found a song written about the comic strip character Little Lulu . The song was 'Be Bop A Lula' . It was this track that was to became Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps' biggest hit. It's rumoured that Elvis' mother phoned her son when she heard the song on the radio, believing it to be a new hit for Elvis .   Gene's mother's reaction remains unrecorded.