Saturday, September 24, 2011

Jumpin Jack Neal - Original Member of Gene Vincent's Blue Caps Has Died

"Jumpin'" Jack Neal, bass player with Gene Vincent's Blue Caps, died Wednesday (September 22) at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was 80. 

Jack played bass for the house band for WCMS radio in Norfolk where he came to the attention of Gene. He joined Cliff Gallup, Willie Williams & Dickie Harrell in backing Gene on "Be Bop A Lula" in 1956 and stayed with him for 34 more songs before leaving late that year. Jack never saw Gene again. Jack returned to Norfolk, where he worked as a plumber and part-time musician.