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)
High Noon
Duane Eddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On this, our weddin' day
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Wait, wait along
I do not know what fate awaits me
I only know I must be brave
And I must face a man who hates me
Or lie a coward in my grave
Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
Look at that big hand move along
Nearin' high noon
He made a vow while in state prison
Vowed it would be my life or his'n
I'm not afraid of death but oh
What will I do if you leave me?
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
You made that promise as a bride
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin'
Now that I need you by my side
Wait along, (wait along) wait along
Wait along, wait along
(Wait along, wait along, wait along, wait along)
Duane Eddy's song "High Noon" is a ballad that tells a story of a man in a tense and life-changing situation where he must face his enemy and possibly die. The song begins with the man, who is a groom, pleading with his bride not to forsake him on their wedding day. He does not know what will happen, but he knows he must be brave in the fearful and uncertain times ahead. He is afraid that he might end up being a coward and lying in his grave. The second stanza reveals that the man has an enemy who has made a vow to kill him after being released from prison. The man is not afraid of death but fears that he might not be able to cope with his lover's departure if he dies.
In the third stanza, the man is torn between his feelings of love and his duty to protect his life. He wonders what will happen if he loses his fair-haired beauty. The man looks at the big hand on the clock moving closer to noon, the time he is due to face his enemy. Finally, the man pleads with his bride not to leave him as she promised on their wedding day, and to stay with him during his most challenging point in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
I implore you, my beloved, not to abandon me
On this, our weddin' day
On the day of our marriage ceremony
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
I implore you, my beloved, not to abandon me
Wait, wait along
Wait patiently for me
I do not know what fate awaits me
I am uncertain of what the future holds for me
I only know I must be brave
I only know that I must be courageous
And I must face a man who hates me
I must confront an individual who has a strong dislike for me
Or lie a coward, a craven coward
Or act as a coward; a dishonorable and fearful individual
Or lie a coward in my grave
Or act as a coward and suffer the consequence of death
Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty
Oh, to be conflicted between my love and my obligation
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
What if I lose the person I deeply care for
Look at that big hand move along
Observe the large hand on the clock moving forward
Nearin' high noon
Approaching midday
He made a vow while in state prison
He swore an oath while incarcerated in a state penitentiary
Vowed it would be my life or his'n
Pledged that either he or I would die
I'm not afraid of death but oh
Although I do not fear dying, oh
What will I do if you leave me?
How will I manage if you abandon me?
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
I implore you, my beloved, not to abandon me
You made that promise as a bride
You made that commitment when you became my wife
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
I implore you, my beloved, not to abandon me
Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin'
Although you are mourning, do not consider departing
Now that I need you by my side
Now that I require your presence by my side
Wait along, (wait along) wait along
Remain patient, wait patiently
Wait along, wait along
Wait patiently, wait patiently
(Wait along, wait along, wait along, wait along)
(Wait patiently, wait patiently, wait patiently, wait patiently)
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
alma fleming
Love this version Even better than the vocal version.Duane Eddy just cant go wrong.
Mike Vallen
Pure and straight musicianship....no distorted heavy metal acid rock headache producing crap for Duane Eddy...just pure and clear talent .
fargeeks
Mike Vallen you forgot one thing. Eddy as far as I know has never sung. so this shows that you don't need vocals. however there are some backround voices
dburnham1941
I love the song and it brings back many memories. This is the first movie I saw Jack Elam in. I remember the beauty of Grace Kelly. I loved the plot of the movie about a man that was willing to die for his beliefs and would not back down against insurmountable odds. We need more people in this country that feels this way and are willing to stand up and be county. I think this story was about the right kind of pride and willingness to take a stand for justice-justice and the rights of all.
barbara palmer
Lovely comment and well written.
jazzyarizona
I saw High Noon when I was 7 and never forgot it. I used to sing High Noon at the top of my voice, made my mom and gramma laugh. That's back when they really made movies. Duane Eddy is superb>
Keith Mitchell
dauane eddy is one of the best guitarise ever.
Rockin Atheist
Perfect version - Duane's the man!
Bruce Henderson
One of the best Western movies ever to be made high noon and also the time that goes with it
gavin104471
I saw the movie when it first came out and bought the Text Ritter theme song on a 78 rpm shellac disc. I recently started learning the guitar at age 70 and started playing this song, kinda, and wondered why Duane Eddy hadn't recorded it. And blow me over, here it is! Thanks for posting.