Capitol 3450 (original) Canada, June 1956
Words & Music by: Side A –
Bill “Sheriff Tex” Davis / Donald Graves (disputed credit for the words), Gene
Vincent; Side B – Jack
Rhodes, Dick Reynolds
Musicians: Gene Vincent
(vocals), Cliff
Gallup (lead guitar), Willie Williams (rhythm guitar), Jack Neal (upright
bass), Dickie Harrell (drums and screams)
Recording sessions: Produced by Ken Nelson at Owen Bradley Studio, Nashville, TN, May 4,
1956
Highest chart positions: Western
Canada (Vancouver) #8, Eastern Canada (Toronto +) #6-#9, US #7, US R&B #8,
US Country #5, UK #16
I’ve already posted the original US releases here (78) and here (45).
Lead guitarist Cliff Gallup’s weapon of choice was a 1954 Gretsch 6128 Duo Jet equipped with single-coil DeArmond Dynasonic pickups. To capture that ghostly, driving sound, studio engineer Mort Thomasson fed Gallup's guitar through a custom slap-back tape echo. The delay gave Gallup's sharp, staccato notes a haunting depth that became the gold standard for the entire rockabilly genre.
The sheer brilliance of Gallup’s solos left a permanent mark on rock royalty. Jeff Beck was so obsessed with Gallup's playing that in 1993, he recorded an entire tribute album (Crazy Legs) where he meticulously recreated every single one of Gallup’s solos note-for-note. Jimmy Page, Brian Setzer, and Eric Clapton have all cited these solos as a massive blueprint for their own musical awakenings.
Producer Ken Nelson was so deeply impressed by Gallup’s unparalleled phrasing and studio precision that he later offered him a lucrative, permanent contract as a Capitol Records staff session guitarist in Nashville. However, Gallup was a deeply modest, quiet family man who disliked the chaotic rock 'n' roll lifestyle and hated being away from his wife. He politely turned down the career-making offer.
List price: 45cat.com Price Guide sets this at €49. I found three copies sold in eBay for €12-€34 (the lowest price was paid in Canada).
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