Duane Eddy (born April 26, 1938 in Corning, New York) is an American guitarist best known for his "Twangy" guitar style.
Eddy's career began after he met Lee Hazlewood, a disc jockey and record producer from Arizona, in 1955. Together, they established a writing and recording partnership that led to 24 hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s. After "Movin' and Groovin'", Eddy released "Rebel Rouser", his signature breakthrough hit that reached the Top Ten chart in the U.S. in 1958. Early recordings were made in a small studio in the back of Ramsey's Records in Phoenix, Arizona.
"Peter Gunn", "Shazam", "Cannonball", and "Forty Miles of Bad Road" were some of his most popular singles to follow. "Because They're Young" (1960) became Eddy's highest charting hit. He moved to RCA Records in 1962, and soon released another series of successful singles, including "(Dance with the) Guitar Man".
Taking a well-earned rest following the "British Invasion", Duane returned to the charts with top ten singles in the 1970s and 1980s, although he was the bass riff player on Nancy Sinatra's 1966 hit "These Boots Are made For Walking". His recording of "Peter Gunn", the theme from the television show of the same name, with British group Art of Noise, earned the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental of 1986.
Named by Billboard magazine as "The Number One Rock and Roll Instrumentalist of All Time", Duane Eddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. In June, 2004, he was presented with Guitar Player Magazine's "Legend" Award, this being only the second time the award has been given. The first was presented to Duane's guitar hero, Les Paul.
The recently issued Duane Eddy signature model Gibson guitar, handcrafted by The Gibson Custom and Historic Division, has received very strong reviews for its style, tone, and ability to re-create the "twang" heard round the world.
