Early rock and roll guitar hero Duane Eddy passed away on April 30 at the age of 86. Eddy pioneered the "twang" rock guitar sound (heavy on bass and reverb) that bled into musical forms as varied as surf rock (the Ventures) and British invasion groups. He was, if anything, more popular in the UK, where his twang style influenced the Beatles, Kinks, The Who, and others. His hits included those we're featuring today, plus "Cannonball," "Forty Miles of Bad Road," "Peter Gunn," "Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar," and "Because They're Young." He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, but he was always a self-effacing man who sometimes noted that his greatest contribution to his songs was "not singing." BTW, the backup vocals on "Dance..." are by The Blossoms. R.I.P.
