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)
The Girl On Death Row
Duane Eddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her young heart filled with lover schemes
Now every second she must borrow
They take her life tomorrow
Is she guilty? She says no
The girl on death row
Another who don't understand
Why can't they see it in her face?
Another should be in her place
Is she guilty? She says no
The girl on death row
Her young dreams never will come true
Her innocence they never knew
Until they've found the guilty one
They're sorry for what they've done
But it's late, too late now
For the girl on death row
Duane Eddy's song "The Girl On Death Row" tells the story of a young woman who is set to be executed for a crime she may not have committed. The opening lines paint a picture of a younger version of the woman, who was once full of hope and in love, but whose dreams now appear to be shattered. Each moment feels like it is slipping away from her as she counts down to her own execution.
The song raises the question of whether the woman is actually guilty of the crime she is being punished for, as she repeatedly insists she is not. The picture painted is one of an injustice where someone whose innocence may not have been fully proven is about to lose her life. The chorus, "Is she guilty? She says no, the girl on death row," reinforces this idea, as we hear the perspective of the singer of the story.
The second verse brings up the issue of support and empathy for the woman. She is alone, isolated, and misunderstood by those around her. There is someone present with her, but they appear to lack an understanding of the woman's predicament. The lyric "why can't they see it in her face" suggests that there is something in the young woman's expression that should reveal insight into her own innocence. The verse ends with the suggestion that someone else should be taking the blame, furthering the idea of an injustice taking place.
The music behind the lyrics is heavy on the twangy guitar sounds that Duane Eddy is known for. The tune is a simple one, but it provides a fitting backdrop for the tragic story being told. The song is a classic example of a story song, where the lyrics provide a narrative that engages the listener and keeps them hooked until the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Her eyes were once so full of dreams
Once upon a time, she had big aspirations for the future.
Her young heart filled with lover schemes
In her youth, she had dreams of finding love.
Now every second she must borrow
She is living each moment as if it's her last.
They take her life tomorrow
She is scheduled to be executed soon.
Is she guilty? She says no
She maintains her innocence, despite being accused.
The girl on death row
The singer is a young woman who is facing the death penalty.
Now someone holds her trembling hand
She is scared and someone is trying to comfort her.
Another who don't understand
There are people who are unable to see her point of view.
Why can't they see it in her face?
She wishes people could understand her innocence by looking at her facial expressions.
Another should be in her place
She believes that someone else should be held accountable instead of her.
Her young dreams never will come true
Her hopes and aspirations will never be realized due to her situation.
Her innocence they never knew
The public and legal system are not recognizing her as an innocent person.
Until they've found the guilty one
The true perpetrator has yet to be identified.
They're sorry for what they've done
People will feel regret for convicting her once the real truth comes out.
But it's late, too late now
Unfortunately, the situation has already escalated too far and there is no turning back now.
For the girl on death row
The artist is still the young woman who is facing the death penalty.
Writer(s): Lee Hazlewood
Contributed by Julia N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@trevorchambers1812
Been into Duane since I can remember and yet never heard this until a few weeks ago. A multi-talented bloke and someone I will never forget meeting. Top stuff.
@Mike583
By watching various YouTube videos, I've learned that Lee wrote a lot of hits for other people,& sang duets with some. Nancy Sinatra one of them. He was a very talented singer & writer. RIP Lee♡
@irenedoyon4562
I disagree about Lee, he wasn't that great a singer. I have the 45 Summer Wine, with Nancy Sinatra, he wasn't bad there, but Nancy out did him. I was only 12 years old when that came out. (Excuse me, I was 16 years old when Summer Wine came out.
@TheMoonchildiva
i never even HEARD of this song, much less heard it! WILD! i love these 2 guys!
@irenedoyon9459
This is the only song Duane Eddy ever sang. He sang it for a movie Why Must I Die. He did it beautifully, and the movie was fantastic. It played years ago.
@kaleidoscopesdannybrigman2061
He also sang a song called break my mind which was released as a single keep rockin cheers Dan
@irenedoyon9459
@@kaleidoscopesdannybrigman2061 Play it for me, smartie!!!
@irenedoyon4562
This song was written by Lee Hazelwood and sung by Duane Eddy. Song came from a movie, Why Must I Die. Duane sanh this song when that movie came our in the late 50's early 60's. That was the only song Duane sang.
@jiveandswing
Superb!
@mayoman8565
pretty song