Duane Eddy, twangy guitar icon, has died

Duane Eddy, the guitarist whose twangy guitar style helped shape the sound of rock n’ roll, died on Tuesday in Franklin, TN at age 86. Via The New York Times, his wife said his cause of death was complications from cancer.

Eddy’s signature “twangy” sound could be heard on a string of hits from the late-’50s and early-’60s, including “Rebel Rouser,” “Cannonball,” “40 Miles of Bad Road,” “Because They’re Young” and the iconic theme to late-’50s police drama series Peter Gunn. Many of his hits were produced by Lee Hazlewood.

Eddy’s signature style influenced everyone from Jimmy Hendrix to Bruce Springsteen, and he scored a hit with Peter Gunn again in 1986 with UK synthpop band The Art of Noise. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Rest in peace, Duane. Your twang live on.

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