Man Gene was great. You know he was exhausted and his leg was probably killing him, but he let the music, his dedication to the fans, and his professional showmanship carry him on.
Il est venu au monde juste pour chanter le rock'n'roll et il nous a quitté! Sa voix et sa manière de chanter sont extraordinaires. C'est vraiment du jamais vu!
Saw gene live at bristol colston hall nearly fifty years ago.He did not have a work permit so could not sing on the stage.So he sang in the audience.Fabulous.A proper rocker.
Tremendous. I know he was kind of grouped in the '50s category generally, but liked his later efforts the best - he was a true professional and loved England. Always a great rockabilly singer, even when clearly intoxicated. Had no truck from the prick that was Don Arden either - loved those stories! RIP Gene.
I think the footage was originally put out on a documentary run by the BBC on Horizon. A cracking look in to the legend in his later years, sad to see how he was exploited and fell on hard times.
@sonet195066 Yes it was called the Rock and Roll singer. Filmed if I recall correctly 1969 just 2yrs before he died. I still have it and watch it quite often. Why would you want to watch anything else?Todays music is just crap. Alright yes I am old, the best days have gone but still remain in my fading memory.
Looking back the Wild Angels did a good job here. They had their LP out 'Live At the Revolution' 1968 which was a straight high energy covers job. You have to remember that to the mainstream music business Gene didn't exist. I hope Rob Finnis's book gets reprinted sometime...
This film makes me quite sad; how old does Gene look here, 40, 45 or 50? Could be any of these ages and yet he was 36, a relatively young man. Gone are the sharp features and the slim leather clad frame that would mesmerise an audience; bloated and hooked on pain killers, apart from people like John Peel who loved him, Gene was manipulated and cheated by crooks like Don Arden until he died from a burst stomach ulcer...but what music he left behind, one of the great ones RIP Gene.
when i was one year old i remember this song i was in a crib i guess i used to ask my mom I want a be bop a lulu.i remember being in my crib and i can still see the old brown suitcase record player.so i was born on rock n roll for years i thought it was elvis.now thank god for the internet i can see and hear all his great song's that one song inspired me to be a musician[be bop a-lulu].it is to bad these guy's never got the fame they deserved in there time the forefather's of rock n'roll
@notsovelvet Did he have one leg in the end ??? I thought thats why he was pilled n boozed up cos he was always scared of it being amputated. It was so sad to see him like this, although this is a great performance and his voice is spot on. I heard many a story of how arshole angents paid him off and were generally horrible to him. Good to see that he is still remembered for the great and inovative artist and electrifying performer that he was !!!
most of these performances happened due to the efforts of one mr JOHN PEEL of radio one fame! long live john peel, or ijn the words of gene vincent himself "thank you mr john peel for being so kind t' me"
I'm pretty sure this clip is from an Arena documentary on Gene Vincents UK tour of either 1970 or 1971. It starts with Vincent being greeted by Teds and cameramen at the airport and follows him from there. By the end I was feeling he deserved much better. His band for the tour, the Wild Angels, hardly knew the songs...Vincent had to show them the songs as they went along. Then he had payment problems from gigs and in Genes own words 'you could make a movie just about this'......
i spoke to a guy who watched gene in the 1950s and he said the way he came out in Leather behind the stage curtain slowly with his hand first and taunted the crowd in doing so was just amazing and the whole joint was in awe,then went berzerk when he finally appeared on stage, he was and still is one of the 1st and one of the best ROCKER,s in the world,just dont get that anymore,everlasting thats quality.
I've seen the whole film were this is taken from. The boss of the theater refuses to pay him for the concert. It is sad to see that he didn't got the respect he deserved.. Great Rock & Roller, one of the true originals..
@smugglertrev I saw this movie some ten years ago so I don't remember excactly what happened but I do remember a shot from Gene afther the concert in wich he complained about the manager of the club. If Gene really didn't get payed for this performance I don't know but there were some troubles about that as I remember from the movie. Mabey other people who has the movie can tell you and me what really happend..
what a voice he had, as vocalist he's unmatched, he can sing hard driving rock and then break your heart with songs like his version of somewhere over the rainbow! that guy was pure class.
Look at him go out there and slaughter the audience. When backstage he looks completely worn out, drunk, hungover, like somebody with a horrific leg injury, and he says "I can't do it." Then he goes back out and slaughters them again.
The best singer of rock and ballads i have ever heard or seen and i have seen most, the only artist that i have collected every recording he ever made.
This was from the BBC documentary The Rock and Roll Singer. I think this was a performance he gave in a hotel on the Isle of Wight. Not sure if you can get on DVD. I recorded it many years ago on video. Its a sad documentary in some ways. It showed what problems he had getting money for his performances. There always seemed to someone ready to shaft him. What it did show was the adulation, he always gave a good performance saw him several times in the early 60s.
have you seen this beautiful picture of Gene. he comin' back on stage for the encore and his manager take his hand to comin' back on stage. Gene was and still the greatest rock 'n' roll singer of the world.
It's quite sad that people are knocking Gene - saying he was past it by this stage - I think this is great (the whole programme was shown again in the early 90s) - You've got to remember that every time he came to the UK he didn't have the Blue Caps cause they'd already gone their seperate ways by 1959.
Imagine if he came over to the UK in 1956 with the Blue Caps doing stuff off their second album - it would have been the best gig ever.
at this time he can't comin in UK with his band due of problem with the british syndicate of musicians who were very protective with their members. That was the same problem with Eddie Cochran who was supposed to be backed by his hollywood swingers during his 1960 UK tour.
i agree with you,this is great,and his voice is good ,and he sings the same as he did earlier on in his life,never left his roots like most do, yeh he,s the king alright!!!!my mate took a day off school in 1957 i think to see him when he toured Sydney,actually shook his hand, so he shook the hand that shook the world !!! R.I.P Brother gene !!!!!!
I have been in awe of Gene Vincent my whole life, yet still would never have seen this absolutely AMAZING performance were it not for youtube. I really feel like I am there in the crowd watching this giant of rock and roll.
Thanks so much for posting. You've made the world a better place.
gene vincent american great echoes of a better time in america elvis got idea from him black leather 68 come back special rock in america replaced by impurities johnny suede
When I was a kid I used to have a VHS clip of the Baby Blue segment (just the intro, taped from the Whistle Test).I played it over and over.I've seen bands and I've played in bands(bass) but that bit still gives me goose pimples.
I think I had that same clip (though I don't know where from). Mine cut out, suddenly, after two verses with a shot of a newspaper reporting his death!
Very well stated and I'm sure many other performers may had gone through the same thing But Gene brought that emotion onto the stage and he just lets it out without holding back.
This is one of my favourite Gene Vincent performances especially over the last few years of his life which in two years he would pass on but he can still deliver a good rock performance on a good day.
The bit that always strikes me is when he's backstage, looking like he's about to die & gets dragged back onstage against his will. The moment he gets in view of the crowd, he's all smiles & going for broke!
In some respects it's a bit sad but the mark of a real pro.
It was the flower power era and not the 50's.. All of them (R&R singers) start to regain popularities at the debute of 70's with Rock and Roll revivals and Festivals...
Man Gene was great. You know he was exhausted and his leg was probably killing him, but he let the music, his dedication to the fans, and his professional showmanship carry him on.
BigJH37 2 weeks ago in playlist Liked videos
Happy Birthday Gene Vincent......Rock on Man!!
hydfawr 3 weeks ago
Il est venu au monde juste pour chanter le rock'n'roll et il nous a quitté! Sa voix et sa manière de chanter sont extraordinaires. C'est vraiment du jamais vu!
innocenti22 1 month ago
He rocked and rolled till he couldn't rock no more. Rest in peace Gene.
andrewr62 1 month ago
40th anniversary of Genes death today. RIP Man
hydfawr 4 months ago
@hydfawr Good call! Cheers.
smugglertrev 4 months ago
All those luck folk in the audience ,lucky folk.to see one of the greats ..G.Vincent..wow.
SpeedTriple59 5 months ago
This is pure rock and roll. Simple and honest. No synthesizers, no computer enhanced voices, no lip synching or over-done choreography.
willpn100 7 months ago
Saw gene live at bristol colston hall nearly fifty years ago.He did not have a work permit so could not sing on the stage.So he sang in the audience.Fabulous.A proper rocker.
wallpole 8 months ago
Tremendous. I know he was kind of grouped in the '50s category generally, but liked his later efforts the best - he was a true professional and loved England. Always a great rockabilly singer, even when clearly intoxicated. Had no truck from the prick that was Don Arden either - loved those stories! RIP Gene.
SuperEliteTim 9 months ago
Gene is great and the video is so good
kathycantrellbrown 9 months ago
I think the footage was originally put out on a documentary run by the BBC on Horizon. A cracking look in to the legend in his later years, sad to see how he was exploited and fell on hard times.
sonet195066 10 months ago
@sonet195066 Yes it was called the Rock and Roll singer. Filmed if I recall correctly 1969 just 2yrs before he died. I still have it and watch it quite often. Why would you want to watch anything else?Todays music is just crap. Alright yes I am old, the best days have gone but still remain in my fading memory.
old65rocker 10 months ago 2
Looking back the Wild Angels did a good job here. They had their LP out 'Live At the Revolution' 1968 which was a straight high energy covers job. You have to remember that to the mainstream music business Gene didn't exist. I hope Rob Finnis's book gets reprinted sometime...
flighty2 11 months ago
This film makes me quite sad; how old does Gene look here, 40, 45 or 50? Could be any of these ages and yet he was 36, a relatively young man. Gone are the sharp features and the slim leather clad frame that would mesmerise an audience; bloated and hooked on pain killers, apart from people like John Peel who loved him, Gene was manipulated and cheated by crooks like Don Arden until he died from a burst stomach ulcer...but what music he left behind, one of the great ones RIP Gene.
clean3 1 year ago 2
Gene would have been 76 today. Happy Birthday Man
hydfawr 1 year ago
@hydfawr I wish I'd got that comment approved sooner! My sincere apologies.
smugglertrev 1 year ago
he wasnt in the best of health but his voice is still spot on and never faulters . r i p gene vincent . true rock n roller
MrLaydownsally 1 year ago
when i was one year old i remember this song i was in a crib i guess i used to ask my mom I want a be bop a lulu.i remember being in my crib and i can still see the old brown suitcase record player.so i was born on rock n roll for years i thought it was elvis.now thank god for the internet i can see and hear all his great song's that one song inspired me to be a musician[be bop a-lulu].it is to bad these guy's never got the fame they deserved in there time the forefather's of rock n'roll
bradhamerstrat 1 year ago
Even on 1 leg he gives 100%
Guys a god.
notsovelvet 1 year ago
@notsovelvet Did he have one leg in the end ??? I thought thats why he was pilled n boozed up cos he was always scared of it being amputated. It was so sad to see him like this, although this is a great performance and his voice is spot on. I heard many a story of how arshole angents paid him off and were generally horrible to him. Good to see that he is still remembered for the great and inovative artist and electrifying performer that he was !!!
psychodamned 10 months ago
Man this is hardcore good. What a stud.
DelWhite 1 year ago
thanks for sharing
poussyledzep 1 year ago
most of these performances happened due to the efforts of one mr JOHN PEEL of radio one fame! long live john peel, or ijn the words of gene vincent himself "thank you mr john peel for being so kind t' me"
gnowave 1 year ago
Thanks for being thoughtful and sharing, great thanks, Jett in Norfolk
jettscream 1 year ago
@jettscream It is my absolute pleasure! Thanks for commenting.
smugglertrev 1 year ago
@smugglertrev Been a massive GV fan for 40 years. Never seen this before.Fantastic.Thank You
hydfawr 1 year ago
GENE I LOVE YOU ------ I---LOVE YOU THE GREATEST- THE KING OF ROCK-N-ROLL SWEET, SWEET GENE
jaden2010100 1 year ago
JUST LOVE GENE ONE OF THE MOST UNDERATED PERFORMARES EVERY THOMAS HAVERSTOCK
haverstock1888 1 year ago
What an amazing talent Gene Vincent was and his legend lives on!
JanisKPC 1 year ago
I N O X I C A T I N G
syretta2 1 year ago
I'm pretty sure this clip is from an Arena documentary on Gene Vincents UK tour of either 1970 or 1971. It starts with Vincent being greeted by Teds and cameramen at the airport and follows him from there. By the end I was feeling he deserved much better. His band for the tour, the Wild Angels, hardly knew the songs...Vincent had to show them the songs as they went along. Then he had payment problems from gigs and in Genes own words 'you could make a movie just about this'......
molatovkid 1 year ago
i spoke to a guy who watched gene in the 1950s and he said the way he came out in Leather behind the stage curtain slowly with his hand first and taunted the crowd in doing so was just amazing and the whole joint was in awe,then went berzerk when he finally appeared on stage, he was and still is one of the 1st and one of the best ROCKER,s in the world,just dont get that anymore,everlasting thats quality.
barnfresh60 1 year ago
God he put everything into his performances!! What a voice!
gavinstanleyfury 1 year ago
Gene is certainly enjoying himself. Great performer.
cozener1 1 year ago
the only rock n roll singer who looks younger as he gets older
greycuffy 1 year ago
I've seen the whole film were this is taken from. The boss of the theater refuses to pay him for the concert. It is sad to see that he didn't got the respect he deserved.. Great Rock & Roller, one of the true originals..
hartommitch 1 year ago
@hartommitch Why wouldn't he pay him?
smugglertrev 1 year ago
@smugglertrev I saw this movie some ten years ago so I don't remember excactly what happened but I do remember a shot from Gene afther the concert in wich he complained about the manager of the club. If Gene really didn't get payed for this performance I don't know but there were some troubles about that as I remember from the movie. Mabey other people who has the movie can tell you and me what really happend..
hartommitch 1 year ago
@hartommitch he refused to pay him?
How can you tell?
evangelo66 1 year ago
fuck elvis, gene vincent is king
Phineas1944 1 year ago
Gene, Old before his time....life in the Rock "N" Roll fast lane took its toll. But he remained loyal to the cause to the very end
TheWhitehall 1 year ago
what a voice he had, as vocalist he's unmatched, he can sing hard driving rock and then break your heart with songs like his version of somewhere over the rainbow! that guy was pure class.
mudfries 2 years ago
a true legend, never got what he deserved..
he was a fantastic artist!
god bless, rest in peace,
JerryLeeandSgtPepper 2 years ago 3
+++++++1
californiasweet 2 years ago
Look at him go out there and slaughter the audience. When backstage he looks completely worn out, drunk, hungover, like somebody with a horrific leg injury, and he says "I can't do it." Then he goes back out and slaughters them again.
Gene never got what he deserved. Rest in peace.
temporaryguy 2 years ago 2
always a smile..always a gent..always underated
custer1968 2 years ago 8
The best singer of rock and ballads i have ever heard or seen and i have seen most, the only artist that i have collected every recording he ever made.
paul25343 2 years ago 4
le meilleur
JEANNOT6937 2 years ago
Awesome footage!
JukeJointRebel 2 years ago 3
Holy crap this is awesome footage! I've never seen this before! Does anyone know what year this was? 1969???
JukeJointRebel 2 years ago 3
yep 1969
look for the bbc documentary on the
whole tour
rabbss 2 years ago 2
This was from the BBC documentary The Rock and Roll Singer. I think this was a performance he gave in a hotel on the Isle of Wight. Not sure if you can get on DVD. I recorded it many years ago on video. Its a sad documentary in some ways. It showed what problems he had getting money for his performances. There always seemed to someone ready to shaft him. What it did show was the adulation, he always gave a good performance saw him several times in the early 60s.
old65rocker 2 years ago 2
@old65rocker / yes i got it on ebay on dvd
ELVISCHEVY2 1 year ago
Gene is the King! Historic performance.
mwkeil 2 years ago 3
have you seen this beautiful picture of Gene. he comin' back on stage for the encore and his manager take his hand to comin' back on stage. Gene was and still the greatest rock 'n' roll singer of the world.
eugenecraddock 2 years ago 3
Rest in peace Gene october 12 1971
eugenecraddock 2 years ago
the screamin end,,,,,forever rockin,,r.i.p Gene
rockabillygaz 2 years ago
pure,genuine,autentic rock roll.....thanks
alcenirbarbosa 2 years ago 3
It's quite sad that people are knocking Gene - saying he was past it by this stage - I think this is great (the whole programme was shown again in the early 90s) - You've got to remember that every time he came to the UK he didn't have the Blue Caps cause they'd already gone their seperate ways by 1959.
Imagine if he came over to the UK in 1956 with the Blue Caps doing stuff off their second album - it would have been the best gig ever.
NeilThompson30 2 years ago 4
at this time he can't comin in UK with his band due of problem with the british syndicate of musicians who were very protective with their members. That was the same problem with Eddie Cochran who was supposed to be backed by his hollywood swingers during his 1960 UK tour.
eugenecraddock 2 years ago
i agree with you,this is great,and his voice is good ,and he sings the same as he did earlier on in his life,never left his roots like most do, yeh he,s the king alright!!!!my mate took a day off school in 1957 i think to see him when he toured Sydney,actually shook his hand, so he shook the hand that shook the world !!! R.I.P Brother gene !!!!!!
barnfresh60 2 years ago 3
the king
aronstonebridge 2 years ago 3
This is the epitome of why Youtube is great.
I have been in awe of Gene Vincent my whole life, yet still would never have seen this absolutely AMAZING performance were it not for youtube. I really feel like I am there in the crowd watching this giant of rock and roll.
Thanks so much for posting. You've made the world a better place.
knavel1 2 years ago 10
And it's comments like that that make it all worthwhile!
Cheers.
smugglertrev 2 years ago
@smugglertrev i could'nt agree more, thanks for sharing its not taken for granted but greatly appreciated. jett In Norfolk.
jettscream 1 year ago
@knavel1 ...indeed, except if I were there I would hope I was a bit less greasy and long haired than the hippies in the crowd. :)
BigJH37 2 weeks ago in playlist Liked videos
I LOVE GENE VINCENT !!! - E
Erkele 2 years ago
you do not love this get alife.
stephenjscott 2 years ago
seen gene with little richard fantastic
mattandbj 2 years ago 2
sorry to say but he cant sing in this one like he used to nor do the instramentals sound right.
ty99999returns 2 years ago
It's so obvious that Lennon was influenced by Gene. They even look alot alike.
thedivys 3 years ago
who the fuck is that bloody "lennon", freak ?
Erkele 2 years ago 2
how cool is that version of be-bop-a-lula?
elpanchito421 3 years ago 2
Great !
56blondie56 3 years ago 3
gene vincent american great echoes of a better time in america elvis got idea from him black leather 68 come back special rock in america replaced by impurities johnny suede
johnny9148 3 years ago
This is Rock and Roll!
somebody1127 3 years ago 5
look for the 69 documentary on disc/tape
got this and more
rabbss 3 years ago 4
great!!
bbproductionsLA 3 years ago 5
sitting here dumbstruck....fuckin awesome!
hillbillycat64 3 years ago 4
Great!!Los Electros.
electros54 3 years ago 2
first rate top notch entertainer and video doesnt get any better
trev74444 3 years ago 4
Gotta love the Teds.
FatwNker 3 years ago 4
When I was a kid I used to have a VHS clip of the Baby Blue segment (just the intro, taped from the Whistle Test).I played it over and over.I've seen bands and I've played in bands(bass) but that bit still gives me goose pimples.
leighthal1967 4 years ago 2
I think I had that same clip (though I don't know where from). Mine cut out, suddenly, after two verses with a shot of a newspaper reporting his death!
smugglertrev 4 years ago
Very well stated and I'm sure many other performers may had gone through the same thing But Gene brought that emotion onto the stage and he just lets it out without holding back.
mbrand19971 4 years ago 2
This is one of my favourite Gene Vincent performances especially over the last few years of his life which in two years he would pass on but he can still deliver a good rock performance on a good day.
Sincerely
Max Brand
mbrand19971 4 years ago 2
The bit that always strikes me is when he's backstage, looking like he's about to die & gets dragged back onstage against his will. The moment he gets in view of the crowd, he's all smiles & going for broke!
In some respects it's a bit sad but the mark of a real pro.
smugglertrev 4 years ago
I'm feeling exactly the same!!! Very welle said!!!
cynic63 2 years ago
This is how Rock'n'Roll should be.Right in your face and raw.I wish I'd been at the front of that crowd rather than in some arena somewhere.
leighthal1967 4 years ago 3
YEP
Erkele 4 years ago
GENE PERRRRKELE!
Erkele 4 years ago
Great video!
GeneVRocks 4 years ago 2
What is wrong with those pub -singers, anyway?
I think it's Ok to be one!
Erkele 4 years ago
I honor him so much!
Erkele 4 years ago
SUPERB!!!!
Erkele 4 years ago 3
Ja, han fortfarande störst.
Yes, he is still number one
gosk001 4 years ago
old and finished by drink at this point (34),love GV , but this is the pub singer
mrwilliamson1 4 years ago
answer to mrwilliamson (part two)
It was the flower power era and not the 50's.. All of them (R&R singers) start to regain popularities at the debute of 70's with Rock and Roll revivals and Festivals...
lehec123456 4 years ago
Whell.....I get your point,
Pub rock ai'nt my cup of tea
But this is GENE,washed out....maybe,
PAULLONDEN 4 years ago
Will a FUCK. Gene Vincent was NEVER "washed out." He just kept getting better and better. Watch the video. He's great.
DickStainy 3 years ago 6
great ! thanks
Lee-Loo :)
anneesvinyl 4 years ago 2