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Lucky Star (Gene Vincent song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Lucky Star'" is a 1961 song by Dave Burgess, first recorded as a B-side by Ricky Nelson but better known in the A-side version by Gene Vincent.
The tune was written by Dave Burgess of The Champs, an old friend of Vincent's who now ran Five Star Music and Challenge Records. It is no relation to "Lucky Star" the 1957 song by Marvin Rainwater.Billboard - 23 Dec 1957 - Page 37 "MARVIN. RAINWATER. (COLONEL. BOGEY). LOOK Waiting for You) and LUCKY STAR K12586 on 45 and 78 rpm." The lyrics commence as follows:
:'Lucky star shine on me, Lucky star don't you see, I need your light shinin' bright, To win her love for me tonight..'
Ricky Nelson version
The song was first recorded by Ricky Nelson who had covered several of Dave Burgess' songs from 1957 onwards, with Burgess philosophical about the more commercial success Nelson had with his own songs than himself.Homer, Sheree 'Ricky Nelson' Rock 'n' Roll Pioneer' 2012 p.67 Nelson's track was released as the B-Side to "Hello Mary Lou", a Gene Pitney song, on London Records in 1961. It then appeared on his 'Rick is 21' album, 1962. "On peut acqurir la rigueur le sixime album Rick Is 21 (LP 9152) qui contient quelques bons titres, Break my chain , Sure fire belt , Lucky star (repris par Gene Vincent) et le clbre Hello Mary Lou ." On January 11, 1962 Nelson sang the song on The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet 1962 Season 10 episode "Backyard Pet Show".Homer, Sheree 'Ricky Nelson' Rock 'n' Roll Pioneer' 2012 p.170
Gene Vincent version
Vincent's version of Burgess' song occurred after Vincent was forced to cancel the remainder of a UK tour after collapsing in Glasgow and then, after two days in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, collapsing again in Rumford and being flown home. Vincent's first return to work after this incident was a low-pressure session in October 1961 at the Capitol studios in Hollywood with Burgess and his band. Dave Burgess was an old friend, who was in The Champs when they'd toured with the Blue Caps.VanHecke, Susan 'Race With the Devil - Gene Vincent's Life' p.153. "After a brief recuperation the singer was back to work in the States recording Baby Don't Believe Him and Lucky Star at the Capitol studios in Hollywood with a band led by guitarist Dave Burgess, who was in the Champs when they'd toured with the Blue Caps." Lucky Star and the B-Side a cover version of Clyde Pitts' "Baby Don't Believe Him", which Pitts also released in 1961 were the result of the session. The track was released as a single in the fifth week of November 1961.Cotten, Lee 'The Golden Age of American Rock 'n Roll' 2003 p. 273. "New releases for the fifth week in November include ...Lucky Star by Gene Vincent" It was his last USA Capitol single. In March 1962 Vincent was back in the UK touring with Brenda Lee and included the new song "Lucky Star" in a set consisting mainly of older hits.Farren, Mick 'Gene Vincent: there's one in every town' Do-Not Press, 2004 p.175. The song has been reissued on several compilation albums including 'A Portrait of Gene Vincent' and 'Gene Vincent's 20 Greatest.'Henderson p. 99. Coincidentally Vincent was the first American to appear on the show Thank Your Lucky Stars.McAleer, Dave 'Hit Singles' p. 68.
References
Category:Gene Vincent songs
Category:1961 songs
Category:1961 singles
Category:Capitol Records singles
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