Eddie Cochran

Name: Edward Ray Cochran
Born/Died: 3rd October, 1938 (Albert Lea, Minnesota, USA) – 17th April, 1960

Profile: He was an American rock and roll musician and an important influence on popular music during the late 50's and early 60's.

History: He took music lessons in school, but quit the band to play drums. Also, rather than taking piano lessons, he began learning guitar, playing the country music he heard on the radio. Around the age of 16 he carefully studied jazz records by Joe Pass and Johnny Smith.

As his guitar playing improved, he experimented with just about every style of American 50's music, he then formed a band with two friends from his junior high school. During a show featuring many performers at an American Legion hall, he met Hank Cochran. Although they were not related, they recorded as "The Cochran Brothers" and began performing together. Eddie Cochran also worked as a session musician, and began writing songs, making a "demo" with Jerry Capehart, his future manager.

Started in 1956, Eddie had acted in various hit films such as "The Girl Can't Help It" and "Twenty Flight Rock" the next year, he even backed Skeets McDonald at Columbia's studios for "You Oughta See Grandma Rock" and "Heart Breaking Mama" in 1959.

By the time of his death in 1960 at the age of 21 - he was killed in a car crash while on tour in the UK with Gene Vincent - he had been called "the James Dean of Rock & Roll".

Influences: Chet Atkins, Hank Williams, Joe Pass and Johnny Smith

Axology: Gretsch Chet Atkins model 6120, Gibson electric acoustic guitar with a single florentine cutaway and Fender Bassman amplifier

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRjlZ8x2uQM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW659x8T-oo

"...the one man who could take my crown as the King of Rock & Roll." - Elvis Presley