‘King of Twang’ guitarist Duane Eddy dies at 86
Renowned American guitarist Duane Eddy, revered as a pioneer of rock and roll, passed away at the age of 86 on April 30 in Franklin, Tennessee, as confirmed by his wife, Deed. He succumbed to cancer.
Eddy, a recipient of multiple Grammy awards, enjoyed a string of instrumental hits during the 1950s and 60s. His musical legacy extended into the 1980s when he returned to the charts with a reimagined version of his iconic track, “Peter Gunn.”
Known affectionately as the “King of Twang” for his distinctively resonant style, Eddy was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, followed by acknowledgment from the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2008.
According to Eddy’s representative, as reported by Variety, “Duane inspired a generation of guitarists worldwide with his unmistakable signature ‘Twang’ sound. He was the original rock and roll guitar icon, a genuinely modest and remarkable individual. His absence will be deeply felt.”
Born in Corning, New York state, in 1936, Eddy’s journey with the guitar commenced at a tender age. Despite being self-taught, his distinctive sound left an indelible mark, influencing artists ranging from The Beatles to Blondie.
Over the span of his illustrious seven-decade career, Eddy sold in excess of 100 million records. The echoes of his unique slow twang resonate prominently in tracks like The Beatles’ “Day Tripper,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run,” and Blondie’s “Atomic.”
In 2011, Eddy told the BBC: “When people come right out, like Bruce Springsteen or John Fogerty, and say: ‘Duane was a big influence,’ that’s just one of the perks and rewards of what I did.
“That’s worth more to me than money and fame. That goes right to the heart.”
US rock pioneer Duane Eddy shows David Sillito how to twang
Eddy and Hawley bring back the twang
