Yet another casualty in the high risk business of rock and roll.
In 1955 Vincent had been involved in a severe motorcycle accident that had shattered his left leg. If that seemed unlucky enough he was also a passenger in the car that had killed Eddie Cochran in 1960 leaving Vincent with a permanent limp and chronic pain for the rest of his life.
Gene Vincent died on October 12, 1971 at the age of 36. This young American singer had pioneered the styles of rock and roll and rockabilly in the 1950's and was later entered in the rock and roll hall of fame.
Here's some early film of him, doing 'Dance To The Bop' in 1958. The guitarist is Cliff Gallup who's pioneering techniques - ringing reverb, vibrato and speed that fan Jeff Beck could only catch up to, not surpass. Gallup helped set the blueprint for the classic rockabilly sound.
