Eddie Cochran facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eddie Cochran
Cochran in 1957
Background information
Birth name	Ray Edward Cochran
Born	(1938-10-03)October 3, 1938 Albert Lea, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	April 17, 1960(1960-04-17) (aged 21) Bath, Somerset, England
Genres	Rock and roll rockabilly country rhythm and blues
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter
Instruments	Guitar piano bass drums vocals
Years active	1954–1960
Labels	Ekko Crest Liberty London
Associated acts	Hank Cochran Jerry Capehart Bob Denton

Ray Edward Cochran (October 3, 1938 – April 17, 1960) was a famous American rock and roll musician. His songs, like "Summertime Blues" and "C'mon Everybody", really captured what teenagers felt in the 1950s and early 1960s. Eddie was also very creative in the studio. He tried out new ways to record music, like using multiple tracks and special sound effects. He played many instruments, including guitar, piano, bass, and drums. Eddie Cochran was known for his cool style and rebellious attitude, which made him a true rock and roll icon.

Eddie started playing music when he was very young. He learned guitar by himself and played in his school band. In 1954, he formed a music duo with another guitarist named Hank Cochran (they were not related). After they stopped playing together, Eddie began writing songs with Jerry Capehart. His first big moment came when he sang "Twenty Flight Rock" in the movie The Girl Can't Help It. Soon after, he signed a record deal with Liberty Records. His first song for them, "Sittin' in the Balcony", became a hit, reaching number 18 on the music charts.

Sadly, Eddie Cochran died at just 21 years old. This happened after a car accident in England in April 1960, at the end of his tour there. Even though he died young, many of his songs were released after his death and became very popular. In 1987, Eddie Cochran was honored by being added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many other famous musicians have recorded his songs, showing how much he influenced music.

Who Was Eddie Cochran?

Eddie Cochran was born on October 3, 1938, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. His parents, Alice and Frank, were from Oklahoma. Eddie took music lessons at school but soon left the band to play drums. Instead of piano lessons, he taught himself guitar. He learned by listening to country music and other songs on the radio.

Starting His Music Career

In 1952, Eddie's family moved to Bell Gardens, California. As he got better at guitar, he started a band with friends from his school. He decided to leave high school early to become a full-time musician. At a show, he met Hank Cochran, a songwriter. Even though they weren't family, they started performing and recording together as the Cochran Brothers. They released a few songs that helped them become known. Eddie also worked as a studio musician and began writing his own songs. He made a demo with Jerry Capehart, who later became his manager.

In July 1956, Eddie Cochran released his first song as a solo artist. It was called "Skinny Jim" and is now seen as a classic rock and roll song. In 1956, a movie director asked Eddie to be in a musical comedy film called The Girl Can't Help It. Eddie agreed and performed "Twenty Flight Rock" in the movie. In 1957, he starred in another film, Untamed Youth. He also had another hit song, "Sittin' in the Balcony", which was written by someone else.

In the summer of 1957, Liberty Records released Eddie's only studio album during his lifetime, called Singin' to My Baby. This album included "Sittin' in the Balcony". However, there were only a few rock songs on it. It seemed like Liberty Records wanted Eddie to move away from rock and roll music.

His Hit Songs

In 1958, Eddie Cochran really found his unique sound with the famous song "Summertime Blues". He wrote this song with Jerry Capehart. "Summertime Blues" became a huge hit, reaching number 8 on the charts. It showed everyone that Eddie was a very important influence on rock and roll in the 1950s.

Eddie's short career included other popular songs like "C'mon, Everybody" and "Somethin' Else". After he passed away, his song "Three Steps to Heaven" became a number one hit in Ireland and the United Kingdom in 1960. He remained popular in the United States and the United Kingdom. More of his songs became hits after his death, such as "My Way" and "Weekend".

Eddie also worked as a backup musician and producer for other artists. In 1959, he played guitar for Skeets McDonald. He also sang bass for Gene Vincent in March 1958, which you can hear on "Summertime Blues".

In early 1959, two of Eddie's friends, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, died in a plane crash while on tour. Eddie was very sad and worried that he might also die young. Soon after their deaths, he recorded a song called "Three Stars" to remember them. He wanted to stop touring and just make music in the studio to be safer. But because he needed money, he had to keep performing live. This led him to accept an offer to tour the United Kingdom in 1960.

Eddie Cochran's Death

Eddie Cochran Memorial in Chippenham, England

Eddie Cochran was on tour in the United Kingdom from January to April 1960. On April 16, a Saturday night, he and his friend Gene Vincent had just finished their last concert in Bristol. They were riding in a taxi towards London. Other people in the car were Sharon Sheeley, a songwriter and Eddie's fiancée, and their tour manager.

Around 11:50 p.m., the taxi driver lost control of the car. It crashed into a lamppost in Chippenham. Eddie, who was sitting in the back, tried to protect Sharon. The crash caused the car door to open, and Eddie was thrown out. He suffered a serious head injury. The road was dry and the weather was good, but the car was going too fast.

Everyone in the car was taken to the hospital. Eddie never woke up and passed away the next day, Easter Sunday, at 4:10 p.m. Sharon had injuries to her back and leg. Gene Vincent broke his collarbone and hurt his legs. The taxi driver was found guilty of dangerous driving.

Eddie's body was flown back home to the United States. He was buried on April 25, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California. There is a plaque where the car crash happened in Chippenham. There is also a memorial stone at St Martin's Hospital in Bath, where Eddie died. This stone was fixed up in 2010 for the 50th anniversary of his death.

Music After His Death and Honors

An album called My Way was released in 1964, after Eddie's death. Eddie made a lot of music, and a British record company called Rockstar Records has released even more of his songs since he passed away. They are still looking for new, unreleased songs.

One of the songs released after his death was "Three Stars". This song was a tribute to the Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens. They had all died in a plane crash just one year before Eddie. A disc jockey named Tommy Dee wrote the song just hours after the tragedy. Eddie recorded it two days later. His voice even broke when he sang about Valens and Holly.

In 1987, Eddie Cochran was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for his important role in rockabilly music. Many of his songs have been re-released. For example, "C'mon Everybody" was a hit again in the UK in 1988. Rolling Stone magazine put him at number 84 on their list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time in 2003.

On September 27, 2010, the mayor of Bell Gardens, California, declared October 3, 2010, "Eddie Cochran Day". This celebrated the famous musician who started his career in that city. In 1963, pop star Heinz Burt and producer Joe Meek released a song called "Just Like Eddie" to honor him. It became a top five hit. In 2022, Eddie's hometown named a street after him.

His Style and Influence

Eddie Cochran was one of the first rock and roll artists to write his own songs. He also used new recording techniques like overdubbing, which means recording multiple layers of sound. He was also one of the first to use a special guitar string trick to "bend" notes. This trick is now a common part of rock guitar playing.

Many famous artists have covered Eddie's songs, including Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, T. Rex, Cliff Richard, the Who, Stray Cats, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Sex Pistols, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix.

Paul McCartney knew the chords and words to "Twenty Flight Rock". This helped him become a member of the Beatles. John Lennon was so impressed that he invited McCartney to play with his band, the Quarrymen. Jimi Hendrix performed "Summertime Blues" early in his career. Pete Townshend of the Who was greatly influenced by Eddie's guitar style. "Summertime Blues" was a regular song in The Who's live shows for many years. The band Blue Cheer's version of "Summertime Blues" was their only hit. Some people even say it was the first heavy metal song.

The glam rock artist Marc Bolan had his guitar painted orange to look like the guitar Eddie Cochran played. Eddie was his music hero. Brian Setzer of Stray Cats also plays a guitar similar to Eddie's. Brian even played Eddie Cochran in the movie La Bamba.

Filmography

Discography

See also

In Spanish: Eddie Cochran para niños