Duane Eddy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Duane Eddy
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Eddy performing in 2018
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | April 26, 1938 Corning, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 30, 2024 (aged 86) Franklin, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Years active | 1954–2024 |
| Labels | Jamie, RCA Victor, Gregmark |
Duane Eddy (born April 26, 1938 – died April 30, 2024) was an American rock and roll guitarist. He became famous in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His hit songs were known for their special "twangy" guitar sound. Some of his most popular songs include "Rebel-'Rouser", "Peter Gunn", and "Because They're Young". By 1963, he had sold 12 million records!
Duane Eddy was recognized for his amazing talent. He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Later, in 2008, he also joined the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
Contents
Early Life
Duane Eddy was born in Corning, New York. This happened on April 26, 1938. He started playing the guitar when he was just five years old. In 1951, his family moved to Tucson. Then they moved again to Coolidge, Arizona. When he was 16, he formed a music group. It was a duo called Jimmy and Duane. His friend Jimmy Delbridge was the other member.
Music Career
Duane and Jimmy performed at a local radio station, KCKY. There, they met a disc jockey named Lee Hazlewood. Lee helped them record their first song, "Soda Fountain Girl," in 1955.
Duane Eddy came up with a unique way to play his guitar. He played on the lower strings to create a deep, echoing sound. This sound became known as "twangy." In 1957, he got a special Gretsch 6120 guitar. He used this guitar to record "Movin' n' Groovin'" in November 1957. The studio didn't have an echo room. So, Hazlewood used a large water tank to make the guitar sound even more "twangy." In 1958, Eddy signed a deal with Jamie Records.
"Movin' n' Groovin'" became a small hit in 1958. Its opening part was later used by the Beach Boys in their song "Surfin' U.S.A.". His next song, "Rebel-'Rouser," was a huge success. It reached number 6 on the music charts. This song sold over one million copies. It was Duane Eddy's first "gold disc" award.
Duane Eddy had many more hit songs over the next few years. His band members became famous musicians too. They worked with other big artists like Phil Spector. Songs like "Peter Gunn," "Cannonball," and "Forty Miles of Bad Road" helped keep rock and roll exciting. In 1958, his first album, Have 'Twangy' Guitar Will Travel, was released. It stayed on the charts for a very long time.
His biggest hit was the theme song for the movie Because They're Young in 1960. This song reached number four in America. It was number two in the UK. It was his second song to sell a million copies. Duane Eddy's music was even more popular in the UK. In 1960, a UK music magazine voted him the "World's Number One Musical Personality." He even beat Elvis Presley!
In the 1960s, Duane Eddy also started acting. He appeared in movies like A Thunder of Drums and Kona Coast. He also appeared on the TV show Have Gun – Will Travel. In 1961, he married singer Jessi Colter. He also signed a new record deal with RCA Victor. His 1962 song, "(Dance With The) Guitar Man", sold a million records. This earned him his third gold disc.
In the 1970s, he helped produce albums for other artists. In 1975, he had another top-10 hit in the UK. This song was called "Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar". He also worked with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings on the song "You Are My Sunshine" in 1977.
In 1986, Duane Eddy worked with a group called Art of Noise. They remade his 1960 song "Peter Gunn." This new version was a top-10 hit around the world. It won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental in 1986. This made Eddy the only instrumentalist to have top-10 hits in four different decades in the UK.
His album Duane Eddy came out in 1987. Famous musicians like Paul McCartney, Jeff Lynne, and George Harrison helped with it. In 1994, his song "Rebel Rouser" was in the movie Forrest Gump. He also played guitar on Foreigner's 1995 hit "Until the end of Time." In 1996, he played on the movie soundtrack for Broken Arrow.
In 2010, Duane Eddy performed in the UK. This led to a new album called Road Trip in 2011. The album was listed as one of the top albums of the year. He also performed at the Glastonbury Festival in 2011. In 2018, he went on an 80th-birthday tour in the UK.
Death
Duane Eddy passed away in Franklin, Tennessee. He died on April 30, 2024, at the age of 86.
Honors and Awards
Duane Eddy received many awards for his music.
- In 1994, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- In 2000, he was given the title "Titan of Twang" by the mayor of Nashville.
- In 2004, Guitar Player Magazine gave him their "Legend Award."
- In 2008, he became a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame.
- In 2010, he received the Mojo Icon Award in the UK.
Legacy
Many famous musicians have said that Duane Eddy influenced them. These include George Harrison, Dave Davies, Hank Marvin, and Bruce Springsteen. His unique guitar sound inspired many artists.
Signature Guitars
Duane Eddy's favorite guitar was a 1957 Chet Atkins Gretsch 6120. He bought it in Phoenix, Arizona. He was the first rock and roll guitarist to have a guitar named after him. In 1961, the Guild Guitar Company released the Duane Eddy signature models. Later, in 1997, Gretsch also started making a Duane Eddy Signature Model. In 2004, Gibson introduced their own Duane Eddy Signature guitar.
Film Appearances
Duane Eddy appeared in several movies:
- Because They're Young (1960)
- A Thunder of Drums (1961)
- The Wild Westerners (1962)
- The Savage Seven (1968)
- Kona Coast (1968)
Discography
Duane Eddy released many successful albums and singles throughout his career. Some of his most famous albums include Have 'Twangy' Guitar Will Travel and The "Twangs" the "Thang". His hit singles included "Rebel-'Rouser", "Peter Gunn", and "(Dance With The) Guitar Man". His music often appeared on both US and UK charts.
Images for kids
-
A robot, representing the Kiddle encyclopedia.
