Â鶹ԼÅÄ

Gene Vincent is perhaps one of the first of the archetypal rock 'n' roll singers – his is a tragic story of excessive drink, drugs, women, fast motorbikes, horrific accidents and death at an early age.

He was only 36 when he died in 1971 from a ruptured stomach ulcer and his later years were not hugely successful in terms of his musical career - but those early years have ensured him a place amongst the greats of pop music. Songs like Woman Love, Bluejean Bop, Race with the Devil, Who Slapped John, Catman and of course Be-Bop-a-Lula have become classics and not just for Gene's voice but for the musicianship of his band, the Blue Caps.

This programme, presented by Roger Daltrey, focusses on the late 50s, early 60s period and his influence on the British pop scene then and now. Musician interviewees include Eric Burdon, Ray Davies, Alvin Stardust, Fall frontman Mark E.Smith, Spencer Davis, guitarists Albert Lee and Adam Seymour, Doors drummer John Densmore, classic rocker Jerry Lee Lewis and Blue Caps Tommy Facenda and Dickie Harrell.

Family members to feature are Gene's sister Tina Craddock and his daughter Sherri Vincent. There will also be extracts from Rex Weiner's play, Be Bop a Lula, produced originally by Adam Ant and Lori Depp in various venues along Sunset Strip. The play, set in England in 1960, is about the relationship between Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran on that last tour before Cochran's accidental death. It stars Aaron DuPree as Gene Vincent and Chance Dean as Eddie Cochran.

There will also be an interview with biographer, John Collis, archive from Gene Vincent himself and some newly recorded tribute songs created by Sherri Vincent.

This programme was first broadcast on Radio 2.