Guitarist Johnny Meeks, a former member of Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps, died Thursday, July 30, in Arkansas. He was 78. Meeks, a longtime member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Blue Caps in 2012.
Although Meeks never got the praise and respect often reserved for his Blue Caps lead-guitar predecessor, Cliff Gallup, he was an accomplished guitarist who played on several pivotal Gene Vincent tracks, including "Lotta Lovin'" and "Say Mama," which Meeks wrote.
When the Blue Caps broke up in late 1958, Meeks joined the Tune Toppers, followed by the Champs. He went on to perform with Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley and former Monkee Michael Nesmith, even appearing on Nesmith's Tantamount to Treason album. Johnny Meeks also filmed two songs with Elvis in the movie "Roustabout" ("Little Egypt" and "Big Love, Big Heartache").
(Source: ElvisMatters)
Although Meeks never got the praise and respect often reserved for his Blue Caps lead-guitar predecessor, Cliff Gallup, he was an accomplished guitarist who played on several pivotal Gene Vincent tracks, including "Lotta Lovin'" and "Say Mama," which Meeks wrote.
When the Blue Caps broke up in late 1958, Meeks joined the Tune Toppers, followed by the Champs. He went on to perform with Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley and former Monkee Michael Nesmith, even appearing on Nesmith's Tantamount to Treason album. Johnny Meeks also filmed two songs with Elvis in the movie "Roustabout" ("Little Egypt" and "Big Love, Big Heartache").
(Source: ElvisMatters)