Duane Eddy, the legendary guitarist who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, has passed away at the age of 86. He died of cancer on Tuesday (April 30th), surrounded by family members at Williamson Health hospital in Franklin, Tennessee.
Eddy is considered the most commercially successful instrumental musician in the history of rock ‘n’ roll, thanks in large part to his signature tunes like “Rebel-‘Rouser,” “Peter Gunn,” and “Because They’re Young.” By 1963, he had sold an estimated 12 million records.
The guitarist was known for his twangy sound and his collaborative work with producer Lee Hazlewood. His extensive album discography spanned from his 1958 debut, Have ‘Twangy’ Guitar Will Travel, through 2011’s Road Trip.
John Fogerty once dubbed Eddy the “the first rock ‘n’ roll guitar god.” His 1987 album, Duane Eddy & The Rebels, truly showed his influence, as it featured guest appearances by Fogerty, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ry Cooder, James Burton, and more. And in 2017, Eddy appeared on The Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach’s solo album Waiting on a Song.
Eddy was born in Corning, New York, on April 26th, 1938, but earned his fame in Arizona, where his family moved when he was a teenager. There, he and his friend Jimmy Delbridge formed the duo Jimmy and Duane, whose only release together was the vinyl single “I Want Some Lovin’” / “Soda Fountain Girl” in 1955.
Armed with a Chet Atkins model Gretsch 6120 guitar, Eddy recorded his first solo single, “Movin’ n’ Groovin,” in November 1957. He helped pioneer his “twangy” sound by playing lead on the guitar’s bass strings.
According to the Arizona Republic, Eddy is survived by his his wife, Deed, along with four children, five grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
Take a listen to a few of Duane Eddy’s most popular tunes in the players below.