Born in Corning, New York, he began playing the guitar at the age of five. In 1951 his family moved to Tucson, and then to Coolidge, Arizona. At the age of 16 he obtained a Chet Atkins model Gretsch guitar, and formed a duo, Jimmy and Duane, with his friend Jimmy Delbridge (who later recorded as Jimmy Dell). While performing at local radio station KCKY they met disc jockey Lee Hazlewood, who produced the duo's single, "Soda Fountain Girl", recorded and released in 1955 in Phoenix. Hazlewood then produced Sanford Clark's 1956 hit, "The Fool", featuring guitarist Al Casey, while Eddy and Delbridge performed and appeared on radio stations in Phoenix before joining Buddy Long's Western Melody Boys, playing country music in and around the city.
Eddy devised a technique of playing lead on his guitar's bass strings to produce a low, reverberant "twangy" sound. In November 1957, Eddy recorded an instrumental, "Movin' n' Groovin'", co-written by Eddy and Hazlewood. As the Phoenix studio had no echo chamber, Hazlewood bought a 2,000 gallon water storage tank which he used as an echo chamber to accentuate the "twangy" guitar sound. In 1958, Eddy signed a recording contract with Lester Sill and Lee Hazlewood to record in Phoenix at the Audio Recorders studio. Sill and Hazlewood leased the tapes of all the singles and albums to the Philadelphia-based Jamie Records.
"Movin' n' Groovin'" reached number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1958; the opening riff, borrowed from Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man," was itself copied a few years later by The Beach Boys on "Surfin' U.S.A.". For the follow-up, "Rebel 'Rouser", the record featured overdubbed saxophone by Los Angeles session musician Gil Bernal, and yells and handclaps by doo-wop group The Rivingtons. The tune became Eddy's breakthrough hit, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It sold over one million copies, earning Eddy his first gold disc.
Eddy had a succession of hit records over the next few years, and his band members, including Steve Douglas, saxophonist Jim Horn and keyboard player Larry Knechtel would go on to work as part of Phil Spector's Wrecking Crew. According to writer Richie Unterberger, "The singles - 'Peter Gunn,' 'Cannonball,' 'Shazam,' and 'Forty Miles of Bad Road' were probably the best - also did their part to help keep the raunchy spirit of rock & roll alive, during a time in which it was in danger of being watered down." On January 9, 1959, Eddy’s debut album, Have 'Twangy' Guitar Will Travel, was released, reaching number 5, and remaining on the album charts for 82 weeks. Eddy's biggest hit came with the theme to the movie Because They're Young in 1960, which featured a string arrangement, and reached a chart peak of number 4 in America and number 2 in the UK in September 1960. It became his second million selling disc. Eddy's records were equally successful in the UK, and in 1960, readers of the UK's NME voted him World's Number One Musical Personality, ousting Elvis Presley.
In 1960 Eddy signed a contract direct with Jamie Records, bypassing Sill and Hazlewood. This caused a temporary rift between Eddy and Hazlewood. The result was that for the duration of his contract with Jamie, Eddy produced his own singles and albums.
"Duane Eddy and the Rebels" became a frequent act on The Dick Clark Show.
During the 1960s Eddy launched an acting career, appearing in such films as A Thunder of Drums, The Wild Westerners, Kona Coast, The Savage Seven, and two appearances on the television series Have Gun–Will Travel. He married singer Jessi Colter in 1962 and that same year he signed a three-year contract with Paul Anka's production company, Camy, whose recordings were issued on the RCA Victor label. It was in the early days of recording in RCA's studios that he renewed contact with Lee Hazlewood, who became involved in a number of his RCA released singles and albums. Eddy's 1962 single release, "(Dance With) The Guitar Man", co-written with Hazlewood, earned his third gold disc by selling a million records.
In the 1970s, he produced album projects for Phil Everly and Waylon Jennings. In 1975, a collaboration with hit songwriter Tony Macaulay and former founding member of The Seekers, Keith Potger, led to another UK top ten record, "Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar". The single, "You Are My Sunshine", featuring Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, hit the country charts in 1977. He also recorded an album of completely acoustic music, Songs of Our Heritage.
In 1986, Eddy recorded with Art of Noise, remaking his 1960 version of Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn". The song was a Top Ten hit around the world, ranking number 1 on Rolling Stone's dance chart for six weeks that summer. "Peter Gunn" won the Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental of 1986. It also gave Eddy the distinction of being the only instrumentalist to have had Top 10 hit singles in four different decades in the UK. (Although his 1975 top 10 hit featured a female vocal group).
The following year, Duane Eddy, was released on Capitol. Several of the tracks were produced by Paul McCartney, Jeff Lynne, Ry Cooder, and Art of Noise. Guest artists and musicians included John Fogerty, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ry Cooder, James Burton, David Lindley, Phil Pickett, Steve Cropper, and original Rebels, Larry Knechtel and Jim Horn. The album included a cover of Paul McCartney's 1979 instrumental, "Rockestra Theme". In 1992 Eddy recorded a duet with Hank Marvin on Marvin's album Into the Light, with a cover version of The Chantays' 1963 hit "Pipeline".
In the spring of 1994, Eddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Eddy's "Rebel Rouser" was featured that same year in Forrest Gump. Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers used "The Trembler", a track written by Eddy and Ravi Shankar. Also in 1994, Eddy teamed up with Carl Perkins and The Mavericks to contribute "Matchbox" to the AIDS benefit album Red Hot + Country produced by the Red Hot Organization. Eddy was the lead guitarist on Foreigner's 1995 hit "Until the End of Time", which reached the top ten on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. In 1996, Eddy played guitar on Hans Zimmer's soundtrack for the film Broken Arrow.
On 5 April 2000, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, the title "Titan of Twang" was bestowed upon Eddy by the mayor.
In 2004, Eddy was presented with the Guitar Player Magazine "Legend Award". Eddy was the second recipient of the award, the first being presented to Les Paul. Among those who have acknowledged his influence are George Harrison, Dave Davies, Hank Marvin, the Ventures, John Entwistle, Bruce Springsteen, Adrian Belew, Bill Nelson, and Mark Knopfler.
In October 2010, Eddy returned to the UK at a sold out Royal Festival Hall in London, at which he was given a standing ovation before he had played a note or spoken a word. Following the concert an equally appreciative ovation was bestowed upon him.
This success promulgated the subsequent album for Mad Monkey/EMI, which was produced by Richard Hawley in Sheffield, England. The album, Road Trip, was released on 20 June 2011. Mojo placed the album at number 37 on its list of "Top 50 albums of 2011." Eddy performed at the Glastonbury Festival on 26 June 2011.
Eddy was the first rock and roll guitarist to have a signature model guitar. In 1960, Guild Guitars introduced the Duane Eddy Models DE-400 and the deluxe DE-500. A limited edition of the DE-500 model was reissued briefly in 1983 to mark Eddy's 25th anniversary in the recording industry. The Gretsch "Chet Atkins 6120" model has long been associated with Eddy. In 1997, Gretsch Guitars started production of the Duane Eddy Signature Model, the Gretsch 6120-DE. In 2004, The Gibson Custom Art and Historic Division introduced the new Duane Eddy Signature Gibson guitar. A new Gretsch G6120DE Duane Eddy Signature model was released in Spring 2011.
Awards
Number One World Musical Personality in the NME Poll (UK: 1960)
Grammy Winner - Best Rock Instrumental - "Peter Gunn" (1986)
Grammy Nomination - Best Country Instrumental - (Doc Watson album) (1992)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member (1994)
Rockwalk Induction (1997)
Presented with "Chetty" award by Chet Atkins (2000)
Guitar Player Magazine Legend Award (2004)
Musicians Hall of Fame Member (2008)
Mojo Icon Award (UK: 2010)
Ballad of Paladin
Duane Eddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where do you roam
Paladin, Paladin
Far, far from home.
Have gun will travel
Reads the card of a man
A knight without armor
His fast gun for hire
Heeds the calling wind
A soldier of fortune
Is the man called Paladin.
Paladin, Paladin
Where do you roam
Paladin, Paladin
Far, far from home.
He travels on
To wherever he must
A chess knight of silver
Is his badge of trust.
There are campfire legends
That the plainsmen spin
Of the man with the gun
Of the man called Paladin.
Paladin, Paladin
Where do you roam
Paladin, Paladin
Far, far from home.
Far from home
Far from home...
The lyrics to "Ballad of Paladin" by Duane Eddy tell the story of a mysterious and skilled man known as Paladin. The chorus repeats the questioning of where Paladin roams, emphasizing his distance from home and his wandering nature. The name "Paladin" itself carries connotations of honor, courage, and chivalry.
The first verse introduces Paladin as a man who carries a card that reads "Have Gun Will Travel." This card signifies that he is a gunslinger for hire, someone who is willing to use his firearm skills in various situations. The mention of being a knight without armor suggests that Paladin operates in a dangerous, lawless, and untamed place, where he must rely solely on his abilities to navigate this savage land.
The second verse depicts Paladin's persona as a soldier of fortune, someone who embraces risk and ventures into unknown territories. His fast gun, metaphorically representing both his physical weapon and quick reflexes, responds to the calling wind, possibly indicating that he only takes jobs or responds to conflicts when he senses they require his intervention. This further highlights Paladin's role as an outsider, detached from the common flow of life.
The third verse presents Paladin as a traveler who moves from place to place as required, much like a chess knight moves across the board. His silver badge of trust symbolizes his commitment to honor and righteousness. The campfire legends created by the plainsmen speak to Paladin's reputation. These stories depict him as a formidable man with a gun, solidifying his image as a legendary figure within this world of danger and violence.
In conclusion, the lyrics of "Ballad of Paladin" paint a vivid picture of a wandering gunslinger named Paladin. He is depicted as a lonely figure, far from home, whose skill with a gun and reputation as a man of honor make him an enigmatic and respected figure. The lyrics evoke a sense of intrigue and admiration for this rugged character who lives by his own code in a challenging and unforgiving landscape.
Line by Line Meaning
Paladin, Paladin
Addressing and acknowledging the presence of the singer, a courageous and honorable figure.
Where do you roam
Inquiring about the specific locations and journeys undertaken by the singer.
Paladin, Paladin
Reiterating the address to the singer, emphasizing his significance.
Far, far from home.
Emphasizing the considerable distance and unfamiliarity of the places the artist ventures to.
Have gun will travel
Expressing the readiness and ability of the artist to undertake dangerous tasks, as indicated by the weaponry he carries.
Reads the card of a man
Describing the card that the singer carries, indicating his profession and purpose.
A knight without armor
Comparing the singer to a chivalrous knight, despite lacking standard protective gear.
In a savage land.
Highlighting the challenging and untamed nature of the environment in which the artist operates.
His fast gun for hire
Referring to the artist's quick and skillful firearm use, serving as a mercenary for hire.
Heeds the calling wind
Acknowledging the artist's attentiveness to his surroundings and the signs provided by nature.
A soldier of fortune
Characterizing the singer as someone who engages in risky exploits for financial gain, similar to a soldier.
Is the man called Paladin.
Affirming that the artist, known as Paladin, embodies the aforementioned traits and qualities.
He travels on
Continuing the narrative of the singer's journey and movement.
To wherever he must
Indicating that the singer goes wherever his obligations or objectives require him to be.
A chess knight of silver
Drawing a parallel between the singer and a chess piece, specifically a knight, representing his strategic and honorable nature.
Is his badge of trust.
Describing the significance of the artist's knight-shaped badge, symbolizing his reliability and credibility.
There are campfire legends
Acknowledging the existence of stories and folklore shared among those who gather around campfires.
That the plainsmen spin
Referring to the tales created and passed down by the people living in the open grasslands.
Of the man with the gun
Depicting the stories told about the mysterious and skilled individual carrying a firearm.
Of the man called Paladin.
Referring back to the artist, highlighting the centrality of his character in the aforementioned campfire legends.
Far from home
Reiterating the fact that the artist is situated a significant distance away from his place of origin.
Far from home...
Stressing the extended separation of the artist from his familiar surroundings and loved ones.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Johnny Western, Richard Boone, Sam Rolfe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crustyknight
I got to meet Richard Boone when I was a kid and he was starring as Paladin. He gave me one of his "Have Gun, Will Travel" business cards. Man I wish I still had that!
@bloatedman
I'm 69 and I truly envy you. Great story.
@sneakysnek2185
Im 26 good show, it was a good show.
@Mike583
I was born in early '53. I still remember, as a little kid watching all these great westerns,each & every one! Some only lasted 1 season,while many lasted years. Setting in front of the tv, watching those shows in black & white,later on in color, just brings back so many great memories. Now I'm getting old,health not to good,I wouldn't trade those precious memories for anything!
@rraque60
Great song! Only Duane Eddy could make is sound so good! I can't believe I still remember the lyrics to it! I loved the TV show and still remember Paladin's calling card. "Have a gun. Will Travel."
@bbdupon
Why nobody can make a Western series half this good is a shame.
@jmen4ever
The more I watch this show after all these years, I have to agree. It just blows me away how excellent it was.Great theme version here also.
@Kizzeyyy
This has to be one of Duanes best,sadly his music is rarely heard these days
@bobbyjocowpoke1057
I used to watch this show all the time. RIP Richard Boone.
@FrancescoAlcozer
R.I.P. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EagzyK8s9CI LOST FRIEND Song dedicated to friends who leave this world. Gretsch Guitar cover by Duane Eddy