Lucky Star (Gene Vincent song)

"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.

"Lucky Star"
Single by Gene Vincent
Released1961
RecordedOctober 1961
LabelUSA Capitol
Songwriter(s)Dave Burgess

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.[1] It is no relation to "Lucky Star" the 1957 song by Marvin Rainwater.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] On January 11, 1962 Nelson sang the song on The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet 1962 Season 10 episode "Backyard Pet Show".[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] The track was released as a single in the fifth week of November 1961.[8] 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.[9] The song has been reissued on several compilation albums including A Portrait of Gene Vincent and Gene Vincent's 20 Greatest.[10] Coincidentally Vincent was the first American to appear on the show Thank Your Lucky Stars.[11]

References
  1. "The Goldmine Roots of Rock Digest". Goldmine: 137. 1999.
  2. Billboard - 23 Dec 1957 - Page 37 "MARVIN. RAINWATER. (COLONEL. BOGEY). LOOK Waiting for You) and LUCKY STAR K12586 on 45 and 78 rpm."
  3. Homer, Sheree Ricky Nelson Rock 'n' Roll Pioneer 2012 p.67
  4. Rose, Michel (1981). Pionniers du rock'n'roll. A. Michel. p. 124. ISBN 9782226011794. "On peut acquérir à la rigueur le sixième 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 célèbre « Hello Mary Lou »."
  5. Homer, Sheree Ricky Nelson Rock 'n' Roll Pioneer 2012 p.170
  6. 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."
  7. Henderson, Derek (2005). Gene Vincent: A Companion. Spent Brothers Production. p. 3. ISBN 0-9519416-7-4. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  8. 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"
  9. Farren, Mick Gene Vincent: there's one in every town Do-Not Press, 2004 p.175.
  10. Henderson p. 99.
  11. McAleer, Dave Hit Singles p. 68.
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