“Cannonball” and “Rebel Rouser” included twangy riffs by Duane Eddy, who passed away on April 30, 2024, from cancer. The impact of Duane Eddy’s career on rock & roll will be felt for years to come. At the age of 86, he passed away, On Wednesday, a spokesman for Eddy confirmed to Variety that he had passed away with his family by his side. With his distinctive ‘Twang’ sound, Duane influenced guitarists all around the globe. He was the original guitar god of rock and roll, yet he was also an amazing, modest human person. The representative informed Variety that he will be much missed. CNN has contacted Eddy’s lawyers. Famed for his distinctive and twangy guitar tone, rock and roll pioneer Duane Eddy was born on April 26, 1938, in Corning, New York. His absence will be deeply felt.
At the tender age of five, the Grammy winner picked up his first guitar string. Hits like “Peter Gunn” and “Because They’re Young,” which showcased Eddy’s unique sound, propelled him to fame in the ’50s and ’60s. His unique guitar sound, which catapulted him to stardom, was co-created with producer Lee Hazlewood, whom he met when he relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, as a youngster. “Rebel Rouser” was Duane Eddy’s big break in 1958, and it was the beginning of a run of singles that included “Peter Gunn” and “Because They’re Young.” Eddy’s career is proof that he was a musical trailblazer and icon. He sold millions of copies of his music all over the world.
Some of Eddy’s other film credits include “Natural Born Killers” (1994), “Forrest Gump” (1994), and “Broken Arrow” (1996). Both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum recognized him with inductions in 1994 and 2008, respectively. According to a statement by Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, “the Duane Eddy sound will forever be stitched into the fabric of country and rock & roll.” Typically, instrumentalists don’t achieve stardom. The electric guitar played by Duane Eddy, however, had a distinct personality. His voice was strong and masculine, with a twangy, rough quality. According to Young, Duane had over 30 singles that reached the pop charts. “But what’s truly significant is that his style taught countless hillbilly cats and downtown rockers how to rumble and touch people deeply—among them, the Ventures, George Harrison, Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, and Marty Stuart, to mention just a few.”
“His groundbreaking twangy sound and musical innovations inspired generations as a legendary guitarist,” the statement adds. “The halls of rock ‘n’ roll history will forever echo with his sound.” A couple of hours a day of listening to music and learning to play along is what budding artists should be doing, according to Eddy, who spoke to music industry newspaper Music Radar in 2012. He emphasized that playing an instrument should be a deep-seated passion rather than a mere occupation.