Rock legend dead following cancer battle, remembered as hero and inspiration

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• Updated: May. 04, 2024, 5:01 a.m.|
• Published: May. 04, 2024, 5:00 a.m.

Duane Eddy performs on the third day of the 2014 Stagecoach Music Festival at the Empire Polo Field, April 27, 2014, in Indio, Calif. Eddy, a pioneering guitar hero whose reverberating electric sound on instrumentals such as "Rebel Rouser" and "Peter Gunn" helped put the twang in early rock 'n' roll and influenced George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen and countless other musicians, died of cancer Tuesday, April 30, 2024. He was 86. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Rock legend Duane Eddy died this week.

The 86-year-old had reportedly been battling cancer.

"Duane inspired a generation of guitarists the world over with his unmistakable signature 'Twang' sound," the rep said. "He was the first rock and roll guitar god, a truly humble and incredible human being. He will be sorely missed."

Eddy was credited with inspiring some of rock's most legendary performers, and so it should have been no surprise that the news of his passing spread quickly across social media and drew a large reaction.

"Sad to see the passing of my old friend, Duane Eddy," rocker John Fogerty posted on X, formerly Twitter. "Duane was a hero and HUGE inspiration to me and his music is still lighting the way! What tone! What a sound!"

"An instinctive genius and an amazingly humble cat considering the fact that if you went below D string he owned it!" Stevie Van Zandt wrote. "His influence reached everybody including Italian legend Ennio Morricone. There's no Good Bad OR Ugly without Duane Eddy."

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Duane Eddy," Gretsch Guitars posted. "As a legendary guitarist, he inspired generations with his pioneering twangy sound and musical innovations. His sound will forever echo in the halls of rock 'n' roll history. Rest in peace, Mr. Eddy, you will be missed."

Eddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2008. The New York native began his career in 1954, and per Variety, he became "the first stand-alone rock 'n' roll guitar star with a string of instrumental hits through the 50s and 60s."

He was credited with the TV themes for "Peter Gunn" and "Rebel Rouser," and had 16 top-40 singles.

"Duane Eddy's electric guitar was a voice all its own," Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said. "His sound was muscular and masculine, twangy and tough. He inspired thousands of hillbilly cats and downtown rockers to rumble. His sound will forever be stitched into the fabric of country rock & roll."

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