Cliff Gallup (1930-1988)

With the utmost respect to Scotty Moore and Paul Burlison, I'm not going to argue with anyone who claims that Cliff Gallup was the most exciting guitarist in Rockabilly. Cliff's place amongst the true legends of Rock music rests on the 35 surviving tracks from 9 sessions with Gene Vinvcent And His Blue Caps at Bradley Film & Recording Studio Nashville, with Ken Nelson at the controls.


May 4, 1956
       1. Race With The Devil  Released on single CAPITOL F 3530 (1956). Tab  

2. Be-Bop-A-Lula Released on single CAPITOL F 3450 (1956). Tab

3.Woman Love Released on single CAPITOL F 3450 (1956). Tab
4. I Sure Miss You Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps CAPITOL T811 (1957)

June 24, 1956

   5. Jezebel Released on the LP Bluejean Bop CAPITOL T764 (1956) 
6.Crazy Legs  Released on single CAPITOL F 3617 (1957)
7.Peg O' My Heart Released on the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) 
8. Wedding Bells (Are Breaking Up that Old Gang Of Mine) Released on the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) .

June 25, 1956

9.Waltz Of The Wind Released on the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) .

10. Up A Lazy River Released on the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) .

11. Ain't She Sweet Released on the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) .

12. Gonna Back Up Baby Released on single CAPITOL F 3530 (1956).  

13. Race With The Devil  (unissued / lost track)

June 26, 1956

14. Who Slapped John Released on single CAPITOL F 3558 (1956) and the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) .   

15. Jumps Giggles And Shout Released on the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) .

16. Bluejean Bop Released on single CAPITOL F 3558(1956) and the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) .   Tab

17. I Flipped Released on the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) 

June 27, 1956

18. Bop Street Released on the LP Bluejean Bop  (1956) . Tab

19.Well, I Knocked Bim Bam Released on the Compilation LP Teenage Rock CAPITOL T1009 (1958)

20. You Told A Fib Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

21.Jump Back,Honey,Jump Back Released on the LP Bluejean Bop (1956) 

October 15, 1956

22. Teenage Partner (version 1) Released on the LP  A Gene Vincent Record Date, CAPITOL T1059 (1958)

23. Blues Stay Away From Me Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

24. Five Feet Of Lovin' (version 1) Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

25. Cat Man Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

October 16, 1956

26. Double Talkin' Baby Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

27. Hold Me, Hug Me, Rock Me Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

28. Unchained Melody Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957) 

October 17, 1956

29. B-I-Bickey-Bi Bo Bo Go Released on single CAPITOL F 3678 (1957)

30. Pink Thunderbird Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

31. Pretty, Pretty Baby Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

32. Cruisin'  Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957) Tab

October 18, 1956

33. Important Words (version 1) Released on single CAPITOL F 3617(1957)

34. You Better Believe Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

35. Red Bluejeans And A Pony Tail Released on the LP Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)

36. Five Days, Five Days Released on single CAPITOL F 3678 (1957)

Cliff used a flat pick and  fingerpicks on his middle and ring fingers, and operated the vibrato bar with his small finger.
Guitar =1955 Gretsch 6128 Duo-Jet

Amplifier = Standel 25L15 (26-Watts tube amp with a single 15-inch speaker)

In the mid sixties Cliff Gallup and his group, The Four C's, released an LP, entitled Straight Down the Middle. It's very hard to find! Haven't even located a rip of it. 

Interesting to read that Cliff , who being a family man was reluctant to go on the road, went back to working in school maintenance. His obituary made no mention of his music career.

There's some good info on Cliff's set up here: http://www.rockabillyhall.com/soundlikecliff.html

Here are all the surviving tracks that Cliff Gallup recorded with Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps:

Plundered from many sources!