From: "Dik de Heer" Date: Sun Jun 23, 2002 2:13 am Subject: Born To Be With You : Paul Peek PAUL PEEK (By Jean-Marc Pezet) Born Paul Edward Peek Jr, 23 June 1937, High Point, North Carolina Died 3 April 2001, Atlanta, Georgia Paul Peek will be remembered as the red-headed, gum-chewing, Gretsch-strumming hoodlum that almost stole the show on Gene during the brief appearance of The Blue Caps rehearsing "Be Bop A Lula" in the classic "The Girl Can't Help It" movie. Paul Peek was recruited in replacement of the departing rhythm guitar player Wee Willie Williams in the autumn of 1956. He already had quite a background in show business, having played steel guitar in various country bands from the early 1950s, and notably with Country Earl's Circle E Ranch Boys (a group that would provide more than its share of Blue Caps over the years). Paul was raised in Greenville, South Carolina. His family was musically inclined with a piano playing mother, an uncle who was in a country band and particularly 3 older sisters that performed as "The Peek Sisters", a popular act around Greenville with their own radio spot. His first break came when joining The Blue Caps (instead of going with Lefty Frizzell) for which he played guitar, wrote songs (the cool "Pink Thunderbird") and developed the famous "Clapper Boys" routine with fellow Tommy Facenda. He was part of the famed 1956 Blue Caps and of the main working band that had a relentless touring schedule during 1957 (including the famous Australian tour) and that recorded "Dance To The Bop" and "Lotta Lovin'". Early 1958 saw Paul leaving the Blue Caps to pursue a solo career with releases on Atlanta's newly launched NRC label, debuting with the powerful coupling "The Rock-A-Round"/"Sweet Skinny Jenny". Despite seeing some action locally, the single went nowhere. In the 1960s, Paul had little chart successes on NRC and Columbia. He never left the music business and played regularly the club circuit. In 1982, he was part of The Blue Caps reunion that toured the UK several times over the years, until his death from cirrhosis of the liver in 2001, aged 63. Recommended listening: Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps, 1956/1957/early 1958 recordings (until the "Record Date" album) Rockin' Through The Teenage Years (EAGLE 90123). 30 tracks. "Rock-A-Round With Paul Peek" EP ROLLERCOASTER RCEP 103 Recommended viewing: The Girl Can't Help It Hot Rod Gang Tribute at http://www.rockabillyhall.com/PaulPeekTribute.html Recommended reading: The Paul Peek Story by Roger Nunn, Now Dig This 41 & 42