Died On This Date (April 30, 2024) Duane Eddy/The King Of Twang
themusicsover Duane Eddy
April 26, 1938 – April 30, 2024
As reported by the Associated Press, Duane Eddy, the groundbreaking guitar virtuoso whose distinctive, reverberating sound defined an era of rock ‘n’ roll, passed away at age 86. He died of cancer on Tuesday, April 30, at Williamson Health hospital in Franklin, Tennessee, as confirmed by his wife, Deed Abbate.
Eddy’s raucous rhythms, punctuated with backing hollers and hand claps, propelled him to sell over 100 million records worldwide. His unique approach to recording, favoring the resonant bass strings of the guitar for their tape presence, became synonymous with his signature sound.
Born in Corning, New York, Eddy spent his formative years in Phoenix, Arizona, where he began playing guitar at the tender age of 5. His career took flight in 1958 with the release of “Rebel Rouser” on Jamie Records of Philadelphia, launching him into stardom and paving the way for a lasting impact on music history. Eddy’s influence extended far beyond his own hits, inspiring artists like George Harrison and Bruce Springsteen. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
From his debut album Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel to the comprehensive anthology Twang Thang: The Duane Eddy Anthology, Eddy’s music encapsulated the essence of rock ‘n’ roll, earning him a reputation as a pioneer of the “Twang” sound. Throughout the 1970s, Eddy contributed behind-the-scenes in music production, notably in Los Angeles. He moved to Nashville in 1985 after a period of semi-retirement in Lake Tahoe, California. A notable collaborator, Eddy worked with icons like Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty and the Art of Noise with whom he joined forces to reimagine “Peter Gunn” in 1986, Eddy’s first dance hit!
Duane Eddy’s impact on the music industry transcended generations, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of rock ‘n’ roll. His technical prowess and innovative approach continue to resonate with musicians and fans alike. Eddy’s contributions endure as a testament to his remarkable talent and enduring influence on the evolution of popular music.
What You Should Own
George Martin was a classically trained musician, record producer, and talent scout who most famously took a chance on the Beatles after they had been turned down by most other British record labels at the time. What followed was a collaboration that changed not only the musical landscape of the era, but also what would become popular music and pop culture for decades to come. With Martin as producer (and so much more) on the Beatles’ original albums, they scored 30 #1 singles in the UK and 23 in the US – and millions in sales, of course. Of the list of Beatles collaborators who were referred to as “the Fifth Beatle,” it was Martin who actually deserved the title. That alone on a person’s resume is enough to cruise through the rest of his or her life, but not Martin. Over the next six decades, he had a big hand in the success of the likes of Elton John, Dire Straits, Cheap Trick, ELO, and Celine Dion, to name a few. Martin also worked extensively in film, either arranging, scoring or producing. Two of the most famous songs he produced for films were Shirley Bassey‘s “Goldfinger” for Paul McCartney‘s “Live and Let Die” from the James Bond movies of the same name. He’s been recognized with six Grammys, an Academy Award, and countless other accolades. George Martin was 90 when he died in his sleep on March 8, 2016.
Stevie Wright was an English-born singer and songwriter best remembered as the lead singer of Sydney, Australia’s Easybeats. The band, and Wright in particular, are widely regarded as Australia’s first international pop stars. Formed in 1964, the Easybeats quickly rose to the top of the heap of local bands that were direct byproducts of the British Invasion. In fact, the group first found its footing in a tiny hangout in pub basement that was dubbed Beatle Village. Within a year, the Easybeats were signed to Parlophone Records and quickly built a sizable following throughout Australia. By the end of 1965, they were playing to sell-out crowds and sparking their own Beatlemania-like hysteria coined, “Easyfever.” The band’s hits included “She’s So Fine,” “Come And See Her,” “Sorry,” and most notably, “Friday On My Mind,” their only true international hit. After the band split up in 1969, Wright fronted a handful of other bands and launched a solo career. In 1972, he performed as Simon the Zealot in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1986, Wright reunited with the Easybeats for a brief Australian tour. He ultimately retired in 2009. On December 27, 2015, Stevie Wright died of pneumonia. He was 68.
