Best known as the ‘King of Twang,’ iconic guitarist Duane Eddy has passed away at the age of 86.
Nicknamed for for unmistakeable electric sound on such classic instrumentals as ‘Rebel Rouser’ and ‘Peter Gunn’, Eddy died on Tuesday (4.30) surrounded by loved ones at Williamson Health hospital in Franklin, Tennessee, after a battle with cancer.
A representative for the legendary musician said “Duane inspired a generation of guitarists the world over with his unmistakeable signature ‘Twang’ sound.” “He was the first rock and roll guitar god, a truly humble and incredible human being.” “He will be sorely missed.”
Credited with putting the “twang” in early rock ‘n roll repertoire, Eddy inspired such fellow guitarists as Brice Springsteen and the late George Harrison with his sound.
After securing sixteen Top 40 singles hits between 1958 and 1963 and selling 100,000,000+ records worldwide, the Grammy-winner returned to charts in 1986 with a remake of his song ‘Peter Gunn.’
Having taught himself how to play the guitar at five years old, Duane developed his sound with producer Lee Hazlewood, and in a 1980 interview he said:
“I had a distinctive sound that people could recognize and I stuck pretty much with that.” “I’m not one of the best technical players by any means – I just sell the best.” “A lot of guys are more skillful than I am with the guitar. A lot of it is over my head.’ “But some of it is not what I want to hear out of the guitar.”
Lee went on to adapt Duane’s twang guitar style in his production of Nancy Sinatra’s 1960s classic ‘These Boots Are Made for Walkin’’.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Raph_PH