Duane Eddy was born April 26, 1938 in Corning, New York and moved to Phoenix, Arizona, around 1950 with his parents. He started playing the guitar at the age of five. By fifteen he was playing various dances around Phoenix. In 1957 he met discjockey Lee Hazlewood, who became his producer (in the late sixties Lee Hazlewood also wrote and produced for stars like Dean Martin and Nancy Sinatra). Al Casey began working with Duane on his guitar style and by January 1958 Duane was looking for a recording contract. He asked Al Casey, Larry Knecktall (who played the piano) and Steve Douglas (sax) to become his back-up group. He dubbed them "The Rebels". Their first song was "Movin 'n groovin", which they recorded in Phoenix and mailed to Harry Finfer, the president of Jamie Records in Philadelphia.

This resulted in a contract with the label. It wasn't until later that summer that he had his first real hit with "Rebel Rouser". Lester Still, Lee Hazlewood's partner at the time, came up with the word "twangy", after which Duane was referred to as "Mr. Twang", or "Duane Eddy and his Twangy Guitar". Duane stayed with Jamie Records until 1962, when he left to join RCA. His instumental version of the southern traditional Dixie, which he recorded in 1961, is, even today, considered the very best version ever. "Dixie" is kind of a 'national anthem' for latter day Rock 'n' Rollers and Rockabilly Cats, because rockabilly orginated from the states beneath the Mason Dixon Line. The song has been covered by many rock 'n' roll and rockabilly bands throughout the US, Europe and Australia.

For more information and extended picture gallery, please visit:
	The Duane Eddy Tribute Page