Eddy, Duane

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(New page: {{Refimprove|date=November 2007}} '''Duane Eddy''' (born April 26, 1938) is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, he ...)
 
 
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'''Duane Eddy''' (born April 26, 1938) is a [[Grammy Award]]-winning American [[guitarist]]. Inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1994, he is acclaimed as the most successful rock and roll instrumentalist of all time. <ref>[http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/duane-eddy Duane Eddy<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
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'''Duane Eddy''' (born April 26, 1938) is a [[Grammy Award]]-winning American early [[rock and roll]] [[guitarist]] famous for his "twangy guitar" style. He produced a streak of hit singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including "[[Rebel Rouser]]," "[[Forty Miles of Bad Road]]," "Because They're Young," and "The Lonely One."
 +
 
 +
Eddy's 1959 debut album, ''Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel,'' stayed on the charts for a record 82 weeks. He recorded more than 25 albums with wide-ranging themes, including his 1986 collaboration with [[Art of Noise]] that featured a reworking of his 1960 hit, "Peter Gunn." The single became top-ten hit worldwide and won the [[Grammy Award]] for Best Rock Instrumental. His playing influenced a generation of musicians, including [[George Harrison]], [[Dave Davies]] (of the [[The Kinks]]), [[Bruce Springsteen]], and [[Mark Knopfler]].
 +
{{toc}}
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Eddy was the first rock-and-roll guitarist to have a signature model guitar. In 2004, he received the ''[[Guitar Player Magazine]]'' "Legend Award." Inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1994, he is often acclaimed as the most successful rock-and-roll instrumentalist of all time.
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
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Born in [[Corning (city), New York|Corning, New York]], in 1938, he began playing guitar at age five, emulating his cowboy hero, [[Gene Autry]]. His family moved west to [[Arizona]] in 1951. In early 1954, in Coolidge, Eddy met local disc jockey, [[Lee Hazlewood]], who would become his longtime partner, co-writer and producer. Together, they created a successful formula based upon Eddy's unique style and approach to the guitar, and Lee's experimental vision with sound in the recording studio. (Later in his career, Eddy was interviewed by [[John Fogerty]] for [[Musician (magazine)|''Musician'' magazine]] about his style. Fogerty called it '"big" both in a sense of it being new and the actual sound quality itself. Eddy told Fogerty, "I knew we had to have something big, we did go for a big sound. I have to give a lot of credit to Lee Hazlewood. He mixed things for AM radio in those days so that they would come rockin out of the radio." )
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Born in [[Corning (city), New York|Corning, New York]] in 1938, Eddy began playing guitar at age five, emulating his cowboy hero, [[Gene Autry]]. His family moved west to [[Arizona]] in 1951. In early 1954, Eddy met local disc jockey [[Lee Hazlewood]] in the town of Coolidge. Hazlewood would become his longtime partner, co-writer, and producer. Together, they created a successful formula based upon Eddy's unique style and approach to the guitar and Hazelwood's experimental vision with sound in the recording studio.
  
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Eddy introduced a unique, twangy sound to rock and roll guitar. As [[John Fogerty]] wrote in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' about his style, "His sound is one of those untouchable, unique things...Duane Eddy was the front guy...the first real guitar god in rock & roll."<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5931375/john_fogerty/ Rolling Stone]</ref> Combining strong, dramatic, single-note melodies, the bending of the low strings, and a combination of echo, vibrato bar (Bigsby), and tremolo, he produced a signature sound that was unlike anything that has been heard - the sound that would be featured on an unprecedented string of thirty four chart singles, fifteen of which made the top forty and sales of over 100 million worldwide.  
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Elements of [[country music|country]], [[blues]], [[jazz]], and [[Gospel music|gospel]] infused Eddy's instrumentals, which had memorable musical "hooks" and evocative titles like "[[Rebel Rouser]]," "[[Forty Miles of Bad Road]]," "Cannonball," "The Lonely One," "Shazam," and "Some Kind-a Earthquake." The latter has the distinction of being the shortest song to ever break into the Top 40, at 1 minute, 17 seconds. Eddy's records were often punctuated with rebel yells and [[saxophone]] breaks. The worldwide popularity of these records, beginning with ''[[Moovin' and Groovin’]]'' in 1958, open the doors for later rock-and-roll instrumental music.
  
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Elements of [[country music|country]], [[blues]], [[jazz]] and [[Gospel music|Gospel]] infused his instrumentals. They had evocative titles like, "[[Rebel Rouser]]," "[[Forty Miles of Bad Road]]," "Cannonball," "The Lonely One," "Shazam," and "Some Kind-a Earthquake" (which has the distinction of being the shortest song to ever break into the Top 40, clocking in at 1:17). They were filled with rebel yells and saxophone breaks. The worldwide popularity of these records, beginning with ''[[Moovin' and Groovin’]]'' in 1958, broke open the doors for Rock and Roll instrumental music. His band, The Rebels, featured musicians who were to become some of the world's best-known session players. Sax players [[Steve Douglas (saxophonist)|Steve Douglas]] and [[Jim Horn]], pianist [[Larry Knechtel]], and guitarist [[Al Casey (pop guitarist)|Al Casey]], have been heard on hundreds of hit records, becoming members of the famous "Wrecking Crew" of [[Phil Spector]] in the 1960s, and touring with a very elite group of artists through the years.
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Eddy's band, The Rebels, featured musicians who would later take their place among the world's best-known session players. Sax players [[Steve Douglas (saxophonist)|Steve Douglas]] and [[Jim Horn]], pianist [[Larry Knechtel]], and guitarist [[Al Casey (pop guitarist)|Al Casey]] have been heard on hundreds of hit records, becoming members of the famous "Wrecking Crew" of the [[Phil Spector]] production studio in the 1960s and touring with an elite group of artists through the years.
  
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On January 9, 1959, Eddy’s debut album, ''Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel'', was released, reaching #5, and remaining on the album charts for an unprecedented 82 weeks. In 1960, the UK's "[[New Musical Express]]" voted him ''World's Number One Musical Personality'', ousting [[Elvis Presley]] from his long held position. That same year, he appeared in and recorded the theme for the [[film|movie]] ''[[Because They're Young]]''. The song became Eddy's biggest success, peaking at #4.  
+
On January 9, 1959, Eddy’s debut album, ''Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel,'' was released, reaching number five and remaining on the album charts for an unprecedented 82 weeks. In 1960, the UK's "[[New Musical Express]]" voted him "World's Number One Musical Personality," ousting [[Elvis Presley]] from his long-held position. That same year, he appeared in and recorded the theme for the [[film|movie]] ''[[Because They're Young]].'' The song became Eddy's biggest success as a single, peaking at number four.
  
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Eddy constantly broke new ground, producing over 25 albums spanning a broad range of themes.  
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Eddy produced more than 25 albums during his career, spanning a broad range of musical themes and often breaking new ground. At the height of the rock-and-roll era, he recorded an album of completely acoustic music, ''Songs Of Our Heritage.'' He also created orchestral albums, [[Big Band]] sounds from the 1940s, and an album of songs written by [[Bob Dylan]].
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At the height of the Rock and Roll era, he recorded an album of completely acoustic music, ''Songs Of Our Heritage'', the first "unplugged" project, so to speak. There were orchestral albums, Big Band sounds of the 1940s, and an album of songs written by [[Bob Dylan]], who, years later, would write in his biography, ''Chronicle'', “For sure my lyrics had struck nerves that had never been struck before, but if my songs were just about the words, then what was Duane Eddy, the great rock and roll guitarist, doing recording an album full of instrumental melodies of my songs?” 
 
  
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During the 1960s Eddy launched an acting career, appearing in the films ''A Thunder of Drums'', ''The Wild Westerners'', ''Kona Coast'', ''The Savage Seven'', and two appearances on the television series ''[[Have Gun—Will Travel]]''.  
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During the 1960s, Eddy launched an acting career, appearing in the films ''A Thunder of Drums,'' ''The Wild Westerners,'' ''Kona Coast,'' ''The Savage Seven,'' and two appearances on the American television series ''[[Have Gun—Will Travel]].'' In the 1970s he produced album projects for [[Phil Everly]] and [[Waylon Jennings]]. In 1975, a collaboration with hit songwriter [[Tony Macaulay]] and former member of the [[The Seekers]] [[Keith Potger]] led to a worldwide top-ten record, "[[Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar]]." The Eddy-produced single, "You Are My Sunshine," featuring [[Willie Nelson]] and Waylon Jennings, hit the country charts in 1977.
  
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The 1970s were equally busy for Eddy. He produced album projects for [[Phil Everly]] and [[Waylon Jennings]]. In 1975 a collaboration with hit songwriter [[Tony Macaulay]] and former founding member of [[The Seekers]], [[Keith Potger]], led to a worldwide top ten record, "[[Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar]]." The single, "You Are My Sunshine," featuring [[Willie Nelson]] and Waylon Jennings, hit the country charts in 1977.
+
In 1983, Eddy toured with a group of well-known veteran musicians, playing small, intimate clubs. Band members included [[Don Randi]] on keyboards, [[Hal Blaine]] on drums, [[Steve Douglas]] on sax, and [[Ry Cooder]] on guitar. In 1986, Eddy recorded with [[Art of Noise]], a collaboration that brought a contemporary edge to his 1960 tune, "Peter Gunn." The song was a top-ten hit around the world, ranking number one on ''Rolling Stone'' magazine's dance chart for six weeks that summer. "Peter Gunn" won the [[Grammy]] for Best Rock Instrumental of 1986. It also gave Eddy the distinction of being the only instrumentalist to have had top-ten hit singles in four different decades in [[Great Britain]].
  
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In 1983, Duane toured with a group of legendary musicians, playing small, intimate clubs. Friends of Eddy's had put this band together wanting to give the fans a chance to hear him in a unique setting - [[Don Randi]] on keyboards, [[Hal Blaine]] on drums, [[Steve Douglas]] on sax, and [[Ry Cooder]] on guitar.
+
The following year, a new album, the self-titled ''[[Duane Eddy (album)|Duane Eddy]],'' was released on [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]. A tribute to his influence and inspiration to so many young players, tracks were produced by such figures as [[Paul McCartney]], [[Jeff Lynne]], [[Ry Cooder]], and [[Art of Noise]]. Guest artists and musicians included [[John Fogerty]], [[George Harrison]], McCartney, Cooder, [[James Burton]], [[David Lindley (musician)|David Lindley]], [[Steve Cropper]], and original Rebels, [[Larry Knechtel]] and [[Jim Horn]].  
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In 1986, Eddy recorded with [[Art of Noise]], a collaboration that brought a contemporary edge to his 1960 best seller, "Peter Gunn." The song was a Top Ten hit around the world, ranking #1 on Rolling Stone Magazine's dance chart for six weeks that summer. "Peter Gunn" won The [[Grammy]] for Best Rock Instrumental of 1986. It also gave Eddy the distinction of being the only instrumentalist to have had Top 10 hit singles in four different decades in Great Britain.
 
−
 
 
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The following year, a new album, the self-titled, ''[[Duane Eddy (album)|Duane Eddy]]'', was released on [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]. As a tribute to his influence and inspiration to so many young players, some of the world's best known artists and producers wanted to be a part of this project. Several of the tracks were produced by [[Paul McCartney]], [[Jeff Lynne]], [[Ry Cooder]], and [[Art of Noise]]. Guest artists and musicians included [[John Fogerty]], [[George Harrison]], Paul McCartney, Ry Cooder, [[James Burton]], [[David Lindley (musician)|David Lindley]], [[Steve Cropper]], and original Rebels, [[Larry Knechtel]] and [[Jim Horn]].  
 
  
 +
[[Image:RockWalk 08.jpg|thumb|250px|Hollywood's Rockwalk]]
 
In the spring of 1994, Eddy was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], alongside fellow artists [[Elton John]], [[Rod Stewart]], [[John Lennon]], [[Bob Marley]] and [[The Grateful Dead]]. Later that year, film soundtracks introduced Eddy's music to millions as they watched ''[[Forrest Gump (film)|Forrest Gump]]'' being chased by a pickup truck full of rednecks as he runs across a football field to the sound of "Rebel Rouser." [[Oliver Stone]]'s ''[[Natural Born Killers]]'' used "The Trembler," a track written by Eddy and [[Ravi Shankar]], to help create a spine-chilling scene set against a violent thunderstorm in the desert.
 
In the spring of 1994, Eddy was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], alongside fellow artists [[Elton John]], [[Rod Stewart]], [[John Lennon]], [[Bob Marley]] and [[The Grateful Dead]]. Later that year, film soundtracks introduced Eddy's music to millions as they watched ''[[Forrest Gump (film)|Forrest Gump]]'' being chased by a pickup truck full of rednecks as he runs across a football field to the sound of "Rebel Rouser." [[Oliver Stone]]'s ''[[Natural Born Killers]]'' used "The Trembler," a track written by Eddy and [[Ravi Shankar]], to help create a spine-chilling scene set against a violent thunderstorm in the desert.
  
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In 1996, Eddy joined [[Academy Award]] winning composer [[Hans Zimmer]] on the soundtrack of ''[[Broken Arrow (film)|Broken Arrow]]'', starring [[John Travolta]]. Eddy’s unique guitar sound was first choice to be the “voice” for the villain’s theme. To quote Mr. Zimmer, "I always thought that Duane's style was being ripped off by the spaghetti westerns. This time I got the real thing." This piece was also used as a recurring theme in [[Wes Craven]]'s hit film, ''Scream 2''.
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In 1996, Eddy joined [[Academy Award]] winning composer [[Hans Zimmer]] on the soundtrack of ''[[Broken Arrow (film)|Broken Arrow]],'' starring [[John Travolta]]. Eddy’s guitar sound was first choice to be the “voice” for the villain’s theme. Zimmer later said, "I always thought that Duane's style was being ripped off by the [[spaghetti western]]s. This time I got the real thing." The same theme was also used as a recurring theme in [[Wes Craven]]'s hit film, ''Scream 2'' (1997).
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In spring, 1997, Eddy was inducted into the [[Rockwalk]], placing his handprints and signature into cement, along with his friends [[Chet Atkins]], [[Scotty Moore]], and [[James Burton]].
 
−
 
 
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In 2004 the new [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]] ''Duane Eddy Signature Model'' guitar was introduced. It was built to Eddy’s specifications by the Gibson Custom Art and Historic Division. Later that year, he was presented with the ''[[Guitar Player Magazine]]'' "Legend Award." Eddy was the second recipient of the award, the first having been presented to Eddy's own guitar hero, [[Les Paul]].
 
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Asked by ''Musician'' magazine how he felt about influencing generations of musicians, Eddy commented that it "is an unexpected bonus. It makes me feel more important than I otherwise would. It's a confirmation, many years later, that it was the right thing. And we had no way of knowing at the time. We got confirmation in the fact that the records were hits. That's the first big joy. But after it dies down, then suddenly somebody comes along and says, 'You started me in the business.'"  Among those who openly acknowledge his influence are [[George Harrison]], [[Dave Davies]] ([[The Kinks]]), [[Hank Marvin]] ([[The Shadows]]), [[The Ventures]],<ref name=prown>Prown, Pete; Newquist, H.P; and Eiche, Jon F. (1997). ''Legends of Rock Guitar'', pp. 21-22. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 0793540429.</ref> [[John Entwistle]] ([[The Who]]),<ref name=prown/> [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Adrian Belew]], [[Bill Nelson]] ([[Bebop Deluxe]]), and [[Mark Knopfler]].
 
  
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==Signature guitars==
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In spring, 1997, Eddy was inducted into the [[Rockwalk]] on [[Hollywood]]'s Sunset Boulevard, placing his handprints and signature into the cement along with his friends [[Chet Atkins]], [[Scotty Moore]], and [[James Burton]]. In 2004 he was presented with the ''[[Guitar Player Magazine]]'' "Legend Award." Eddy was the second recipient of the award, the first having been presented to Eddy's own guitar hero, [[Les Paul]].
−
Duane Eddy was the first rock and roll guitarist to have a signature model guitar.
 
  
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In 1960, Guild Guitars introduced the Duane Eddy Models DE-400 and the deluxe DE-500. A limited edition of the DE-500 model was reissued briefly in 1983 to mark Eddy's 25th anniversary in the recording industry.
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==Legacy==
 +
[[Image:Gretsch G6122-1958.jpg|thumb|200px|The Gretsch model 6120 is associated with Eddy.]]
 +
[[Image:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame2.jpg|thumb|300px|Duane Eddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994]]
  
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The Gretsch "Chet Atkins 6120" model has long been associated with Eddy.<ref name=prown/> In 1997, Gretsch Guitars started production of the Duane Eddy Signature Model, DE-6120.  
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Eddy popularized the hard-driving, twangy sound that became part of the musical culture of rock-and-roll guitar. Combining strong, dramatic, single-note melodies, bending the low strings, and a combination of echo, vibrato bar, and tremolo effects, he produced a signature sound that would be featured on an unprecedented string of 34 chart singles, 15 of which made the top 40, with sales of over 100 million worldwide.  
  
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In 2004, The Gibson Custom Art and Historic Division introduced the new Duane Eddy Signature Gibson guitar.
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His playing also influenced generations of new musicians. Among those who acknowledge his influence are [[The Ventures]], [[George Harrison]], [[Dave Davies]] ([[The Kinks]]), [[Hank Marvin]] ([[The Shadows]]), [[Ry Cooder]], [[John Entwistle]] ([[The Who]]), [[Bruce Springsteen]], and [[Mark Knopfler]].
 +
Eddy was also the first rock-and-roll guitarist to have a signature model guitar. In 1960, [[Guild Guitars]] introduced the Duane Eddy Models DE-400 and the deluxe DE-500. A limited edition of the DE-500 model was reissued briefly in 1983 to mark Eddy's twenty-fifth anniversary in the recording industry. The Gretsch "Chet Atkins 6120" model has long been associated with Eddy. In 1997, Gretsch Guitars started production of the Duane Eddy Signature Model, DE-6120. In 2004, The Gibson Custom Art and Historic Division introduced the new Duane Eddy Signature Gibson guitar.
  
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==Awards==
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===Awards===
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* Number One World Musical Personality in the NME Poll (UK)   1960
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* Number One World Musical Personality in the NME Poll (UK) 1960
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* [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] Member 1994
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* [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] Member 1994
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* [[Grammy]] Winner  Best Rock Instrumental  ''Peter Gunn'' 1986<ref name=prown/>
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* [[Grammy]] Winner  Best Rock Instrumental  ''Peter Gunn'' 1986  
 
* [[Grammy]] Nomination  Best Country Instrumental  (Doc Watson album)  1992
 
* [[Grammy]] Nomination  Best Country Instrumental  (Doc Watson album)  1992
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* [[Rockwalk]] Induction   1997
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* [[Rockwalk]] Induction 1997
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* Presented with "Chetty" award by Chet Atkins     2000
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* Presented with "Chetty" award by Chet Atkins 2000
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* [[Guitar Player Magazine]]  Legend Award       2004
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* [[Guitar Player Magazine]]  Legend Award   2004
  
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== U.S. chart success ==
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==Discography==
 
===U.S. singles===
 
===U.S. singles===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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==Select discography==
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===Albums===
 
===Albums===
 +
<div style="width:50%; float:left">
 
*''Have "Twangy" Guitar—Will Travel'' (1958)
 
*''Have "Twangy" Guitar—Will Travel'' (1958)
 
*''The "Twangs" the "Thang"'' (1959)
 
*''The "Twangs" the "Thang"'' (1959)
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*''Girls! Girls! Girls!'' (1961)
 
*''Girls! Girls! Girls!'' (1961)
 
*''Twistin' With Duane Eddy'' (1962)
 
*''Twistin' With Duane Eddy'' (1962)
 +
</div>
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<div style="width:50%; float:left">
 
*''Twangy Guitar - Silky Strings'' (1962)
 
*''Twangy Guitar - Silky Strings'' (1962)
 
*''Surfin''' (1963)
 
*''Surfin''' (1963)
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*''Twangin' The Golden Hits'' (1965)
 
*''Twangin' The Golden Hits'' (1965)
 
*''Duane Eddy'' (1987)
 
*''Duane Eddy'' (1987)
 +
</div>
 +
<br clear=all>
  
 
== Film appearances==
 
== Film appearances==
 +
<div style="width:50%; float:left">
 
* ''[[Because They're Young]]'' (1960)
 
* ''[[Because They're Young]]'' (1960)
 
* ''[[A Thunder of Drums]]'' (1961)
 
* ''[[A Thunder of Drums]]'' (1961)
 
* ''[[The Wild Westerners]]'' (1962)
 
* ''[[The Wild Westerners]]'' (1962)
 +
</div>
 +
<div style="width:50%; float:left">
 
* ''[[The Savage Seven]] (1968)
 
* ''[[The Savage Seven]] (1968)
 
* ''[[Kona Coast (film)|Kona Coast]]'' (1968)
 
* ''[[Kona Coast (film)|Kona Coast]]'' (1968)
 +
</div>
 +
<br clear=all>
  
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==Further reading==
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==References==
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===Books===
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* Escott, Colin. ''All Roots Lead to Rock: Legends of Early Rock 'n' Roll.'' New York, NY: Schirmer Books, 1999. ISBN 9780028648668
−
* Hardy, Phil and Dave Laing, ''Encyclopedia of Rock'', Schrimner Books, 1987.
+
* Freeth, Nick, and Douse, Cliff. ''Great Guitarists.'' San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2001. ISBN 9781571455741
−
* Rees, Dafydd,and Luke Crampton, ''Rock Movers & Shakers, ABC-CLIO, 1991.
+
* Kienzle, Richard. ''Great Guitarists.'' New York, NY: Facts on File, 1985. ISBN 9780816010295
−
*''The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll'' edited by Jon Pareles and Patr Romanowski, Rolling StonePress/Summit      Books, 1993.
 
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* Stambler, Irwin, ''The Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul, St.
 
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* Martin's, 1989.
 
  
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===Periodicals===
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==External links==
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* "Twangsville" produced by the Duane Eddy Circle (Appreciation Society) since 1975
+
All links retrieved January 30, 2024.
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*''Detroit Free Press'', August28. 1970.
 
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* ''Detroit News'', June 4,1961.
 
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* Musician, November 1991.
 
  
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==Notes==
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* [https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/duane-eddy Duane Eddy]
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<references />
 
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==External links==
 
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* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9096199 Encyclopedia Britannica article]
 
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* [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/001308.html 2005 Duane Eddy Interview]
 
  
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{{Persondata
 
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|NAME= Eddy, Duane
 
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|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
 
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|SHORT DESCRIPTION=American rock musician
 
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|DATE OF BIRTH=April 26, 1938
 
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|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Corning, New York]], [[United States]]
 
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|DATE OF DEATH=
 
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|PLACE OF DEATH=
 
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}}
 
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Eddy, Duane}}
 
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[[Category:American rock musicians]]
 
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[[Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees‎]]
 
  
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[[Category:art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
 
[[Category:music]]
 
[[Category:music]]
 
[[Category:musicians]]
 
[[Category:musicians]]
 
[[Category:biography]]
 
[[Category:biography]]
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[[Category:living people]]
 
{{credit|233028067}}
 
{{credit|233028067}}

Latest revision as of 21:18, 30 January 2024

Duane Eddy (born April 26, 1938) is a Grammy Award-winning American early rock and roll guitarist famous for his "twangy guitar" style. He produced a streak of hit singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including "Rebel Rouser," "Forty Miles of Bad Road," "Because They're Young," and "The Lonely One."

Eddy's 1959 debut album, Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel, stayed on the charts for a record 82 weeks. He recorded more than 25 albums with wide-ranging themes, including his 1986 collaboration with Art of Noise that featured a reworking of his 1960 hit, "Peter Gunn." The single became top-ten hit worldwide and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental. His playing influenced a generation of musicians, including George Harrison, Dave Davies (of the The Kinks), Bruce Springsteen, and Mark Knopfler.

Eddy was the first rock-and-roll guitarist to have a signature model guitar. In 2004, he received the Guitar Player Magazine "Legend Award." Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, he is often acclaimed as the most successful rock-and-roll instrumentalist of all time.

Biography

Born in Corning, New York in 1938, Eddy began playing guitar at age five, emulating his cowboy hero, Gene Autry. His family moved west to Arizona in 1951. In early 1954, Eddy met local disc jockey Lee Hazlewood in the town of Coolidge. Hazlewood would become his longtime partner, co-writer, and producer. Together, they created a successful formula based upon Eddy's unique style and approach to the guitar and Hazelwood's experimental vision with sound in the recording studio.

Elements of country, blues, jazz, and gospel infused Eddy's instrumentals, which had memorable musical "hooks" and evocative titles like "Rebel Rouser," "Forty Miles of Bad Road," "Cannonball," "The Lonely One," "Shazam," and "Some Kind-a Earthquake." The latter has the distinction of being the shortest song to ever break into the Top 40, at 1 minute, 17 seconds. Eddy's records were often punctuated with rebel yells and saxophone breaks. The worldwide popularity of these records, beginning with Moovin' and Groovin’ in 1958, open the doors for later rock-and-roll instrumental music.

Eddy's band, The Rebels, featured musicians who would later take their place among the world's best-known session players. Sax players Steve Douglas and Jim Horn, pianist Larry Knechtel, and guitarist Al Casey have been heard on hundreds of hit records, becoming members of the famous "Wrecking Crew" of the Phil Spector production studio in the 1960s and touring with an elite group of artists through the years.

On January 9, 1959, Eddy’s debut album, Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel, was released, reaching number five and remaining on the album charts for an unprecedented 82 weeks. In 1960, the UK's "New Musical Express" voted him "World's Number One Musical Personality," ousting Elvis Presley from his long-held position. That same year, he appeared in and recorded the theme for the movie Because They're Young. The song became Eddy's biggest success as a single, peaking at number four.

Eddy produced more than 25 albums during his career, spanning a broad range of musical themes and often breaking new ground. At the height of the rock-and-roll era, he recorded an album of completely acoustic music, Songs Of Our Heritage. He also created orchestral albums, Big Band sounds from the 1940s, and an album of songs written by Bob Dylan.

During the 1960s, Eddy launched an acting career, appearing in the films A Thunder of Drums, The Wild Westerners, Kona Coast, The Savage Seven, and two appearances on the American television series Have Gun—Will Travel. In the 1970s he produced album projects for Phil Everly and Waylon Jennings. In 1975, a collaboration with hit songwriter Tony Macaulay and former member of the The Seekers Keith Potger led to a worldwide top-ten record, "Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar." The Eddy-produced single, "You Are My Sunshine," featuring Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, hit the country charts in 1977.

In 1983, Eddy toured with a group of well-known veteran musicians, playing small, intimate clubs. Band members included Don Randi on keyboards, Hal Blaine on drums, Steve Douglas on sax, and Ry Cooder on guitar. In 1986, Eddy recorded with Art of Noise, a collaboration that brought a contemporary edge to his 1960 tune, "Peter Gunn." The song was a top-ten hit around the world, ranking number one on Rolling Stone magazine's dance chart for six weeks that summer. "Peter Gunn" won the Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental of 1986. It also gave Eddy the distinction of being the only instrumentalist to have had top-ten hit singles in four different decades in Great Britain.

The following year, a new album, the self-titled Duane Eddy, was released on Capitol. A tribute to his influence and inspiration to so many young players, tracks were produced by such figures as Paul McCartney, Jeff Lynne, Ry Cooder, and Art of Noise. Guest artists and musicians included John Fogerty, George Harrison, McCartney, Cooder, James Burton, David Lindley, Steve Cropper, and original Rebels, Larry Knechtel and Jim Horn.

Hollywood's Rockwalk

In the spring of 1994, Eddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, alongside fellow artists Elton John, Rod Stewart, John Lennon, Bob Marley and The Grateful Dead. Later that year, film soundtracks introduced Eddy's music to millions as they watched Forrest Gump being chased by a pickup truck full of rednecks as he runs across a football field to the sound of "Rebel Rouser." Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers used "The Trembler," a track written by Eddy and Ravi Shankar, to help create a spine-chilling scene set against a violent thunderstorm in the desert.

In 1996, Eddy joined Academy Award winning composer Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack of Broken Arrow, starring John Travolta. Eddy’s guitar sound was first choice to be the “voice” for the villain’s theme. Zimmer later said, "I always thought that Duane's style was being ripped off by the spaghetti westerns. This time I got the real thing." The same theme was also used as a recurring theme in Wes Craven's hit film, Scream 2 (1997).

In spring, 1997, Eddy was inducted into the Rockwalk on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard, placing his handprints and signature into the cement along with his friends Chet Atkins, Scotty Moore, and James Burton. In 2004 he was presented with the Guitar Player Magazine "Legend Award." Eddy was the second recipient of the award, the first having been presented to Eddy's own guitar hero, Les Paul.

Legacy

The Gretsch model 6120 is associated with Eddy.
Duane Eddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994

Eddy popularized the hard-driving, twangy sound that became part of the musical culture of rock-and-roll guitar. Combining strong, dramatic, single-note melodies, bending the low strings, and a combination of echo, vibrato bar, and tremolo effects, he produced a signature sound that would be featured on an unprecedented string of 34 chart singles, 15 of which made the top 40, with sales of over 100 million worldwide.

His playing also influenced generations of new musicians. Among those who acknowledge his influence are The Ventures, George Harrison, Dave Davies (The Kinks), Hank Marvin (The Shadows), Ry Cooder, John Entwistle (The Who), Bruce Springsteen, and Mark Knopfler. Eddy was also the first rock-and-roll guitarist to have a signature model guitar. In 1960, Guild Guitars introduced the Duane Eddy Models DE-400 and the deluxe DE-500. A limited edition of the DE-500 model was reissued briefly in 1983 to mark Eddy's twenty-fifth anniversary in the recording industry. The Gretsch "Chet Atkins 6120" model has long been associated with Eddy. In 1997, Gretsch Guitars started production of the Duane Eddy Signature Model, DE-6120. In 2004, The Gibson Custom Art and Historic Division introduced the new Duane Eddy Signature Gibson guitar.

Awards

  • Number One World Musical Personality in the NME Poll (UK) 1960
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member 1994
  • Grammy Winner Best Rock Instrumental Peter Gunn 1986
  • Grammy Nomination Best Country Instrumental (Doc Watson album) 1992
  • Rockwalk Induction 1997
  • Presented with "Chetty" award by Chet Atkins 2000
  • Guitar Player Magazine Legend Award 2004

Discography

U.S. singles

Year Single Chart position
1958 "Movin' N' Groovin" 72
"Rebel Rouser" 6
"Ramrod" 27
"Cannonball" 15
1959 "The Lonely One" 23
"Yep!" 30
"Forty Miles Of Bad Road" 9
"The Quiet Three" 46
"Some Kind-A Earthquake" 37
"First Love, First Tears" 59
1960 "Bonnie Came Back" 26
"Shazam!" 45
"Because They're Young" 4
"Kommotion" 78
"Peter Gunn" 27
1961 "Pepe" 18
"Theme From Dixie" 39
"Ring Of Fire" 84
"Drivin' Home" 87
"My Blue Heaven" 50
1962 "Deep In The Heart Of Texas" 78
"The Ballad Of Paladin" 33
"Dance With The Guitar Man" 12
1963 "Boss Guitar" 28
"Lonely Boy, Lonely Guitar" 82
"Your Baby's Gone Surfin" '93
1964 "The Son Of Rebel Rouser" 97
1977 "You Are My Sunshine" 50
1986 "Peter Gunn" (with The Art of Noise) 50

Albums

  • Have "Twangy" Guitar—Will Travel (1958)
  • The "Twangs" the "Thang" (1959)
  • Songs of Our Heritage (1960)
  • $1,000,000.00 Worth of Twang (1960)
  • Girls! Girls! Girls! (1961)
  • Twistin' With Duane Eddy (1962)
  • Twangy Guitar - Silky Strings (1962)
  • Surfin' (1963)
  • Duane Eddy & The Rebels—In Person (1963)
  • Twangin' The Golden Hits (1965)
  • Duane Eddy (1987)


Film appearances

  • Because They're Young (1960)
  • A Thunder of Drums (1961)
  • The Wild Westerners (1962)
  • The Savage Seven (1968)
  • Kona Coast (1968)


References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Escott, Colin. All Roots Lead to Rock: Legends of Early Rock 'n' Roll. New York, NY: Schirmer Books, 1999. ISBN 9780028648668
  • Freeth, Nick, and Douse, Cliff. Great Guitarists. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2001. ISBN 9781571455741
  • Kienzle, Richard. Great Guitarists. New York, NY: Facts on File, 1985. ISBN 9780816010295

External links

All links retrieved January 30, 2024.

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