Duane Eddy

USA, 1957–2024

American guitarist (1938-2024), billed as the Sultan of Twang, whose reverb-heavy instrumentals played on the bass strings, including 'Rebel-Rouser' and 'Peter Gunn', made the guitar the lead voice on record.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Duane Eddy and 2 artists Duane Eddy influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Duane Eddy?

• Gene Autry — Eddy took up guitar after hearing the singing cowboy Gene Autry — the country-western root of his twang.
• Chet Atkins — Chet Atkins's country guitar style shaped Eddy's tone and technique, refined into the twang sound.

Which artists did Duane Eddy influence?

• Creedence Clearwater Revival — Fogerty saw Eddy play in Oakland around 1958, sitting in the front row with two future members of the band; the twang carries into 'Cross-Tie Walker' and 'Big Train (from Memphis)'.
• Ritchie Blackmore — One of the early influences Blackmore names, from listening to Radio Luxembourg on a transistor radio.