Johnny Meeks, Former Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps Guitarist, Died at 78

  Dead Famous

 

Dead, Johnny Meeks, he was an American guitarist, he was born on March the 24th, 1937 and died Thursday, July 30, in Arkansas, He was 78.

The Blue Caps-whose prior hits included “Be-Bop-A-Lula,” “Blue Jean Bop” found themselves without a lead guitarist in late 1956, when Gallup quit the lineup for the second and final time.

In early 1957, the band’s rhythm guitarist, Paul Peek, recommended Meeks, his former Circle E Ranch Boys bandmate.

After a quick audition, Meeks joined the Blue Caps, making the transition from country picker to rocker.

Meeks began recording with the band in June 1957 and stayed with them for more than 18 months, through 1958’s Record Date album.

He was the guitarist who was with Vincent the longest, even appearing in the 1958 film Hot Rod Gang with the band.