Race with the Devil

Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps, 1956, from single. Solo by Cliff Gallup.

Gallup's rapid, jazz-inflected runs and slapback echo made him a hero to Jeff Beck and later rockabilly revivalists.

Race with the Devil showcases Cliff Gallup's lightning-fast, jazz-inflected playing, which made him a hero to Jeff Beck and generations of rockabilly revivalists. Using a Gretsch Duo Jet, Gallup plays rapid runs with clean, precise articulation, often weaving through the chords with a sophistication unusual for mid-1950s rock and roll. Slapback echo adds a sense of urgency and space. His solos are both wild and controlled. Listen for the quick, rolling phrases that seem to race ahead of the beat, and for the way Gallup mixes bluesy bends with jazz-style chord tones, giving the solo a thrilling, unpredictable quality that still sounds daring today.

Race with the Devil by Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps is featured in our Rock & Roll (#11), Rockabilly (#8) lists. The solo is played by Cliff Gallup and the song was released in 1956.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Rock and Roll Guitar Solos — #11
• The 25 Greatest Rockabilly Guitar Solos — #8
• The Best Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps Guitar Solos — #1

Sources