Guitarist Duane Eddy made his impact on the first Billboard Hot 100, dated Aug. 4, 1958, and led a Billboard ranking as recently as March – marking his first-ever No. 1 – reflecting the widespread legacy of the rockabilly legend.
As previously reported, Eddy died, at age 86, Tuesday (April 30) of cancer in Franklin, Tenn., according to his wife, Deed Abbate. He is survived by his wife and four children.
“Duane inspired a generation of guitarists the world over with his unmistakable signature ‘Twang’ sound,” a representative for Eddy told Variety. “He was the first rock and roll guitar god, a truly humble and incredible human being. He will be sorely missed.”
Born in Corning, N.Y., notched 27 hits on the Hot 100, including three top 10s: “Rebel-‘Rouser,” which reached No. 6 in 1958; “Forty Miles of Bad Road” (No. 9, 1959); and “Because They’re Young” (No. 4, 1960). He also logged 10 albums on the Billboard 200 during his lifetime, including two top 10s: Have ‘Twangy’ Guitar Will Travel (No. 5, 1959) and $1,000,000 Worth of Twang (No. 10, 1961).
One of Eddy’s signature songs, “Peter Gunn,” charted in two forms on the Hot 100: his original hit No. 27 in 1960 and an update, by the Art of Noise featuring Eddy, reached No. 50 in 1986.
Eddy was the last living member among the artists in the top 10 on the inaugural Hot 100, when “Rebel-‘Rouser” ranked at its No. 6 high. He was joined in the top 10 that week by acts including Ricky Nelson, Bobby Darin, Elvis Presley, the Coasters and Peggy Lee.
This spring, Eddy earned his first No. 1 on any Billboard chart at last, as one of the 66 artists credited on Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes’ “Going Home (Theme From Local Hero).” The track, whose proceeds benefit Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America, debuted at No. 1 on Digital Song Sales (dated March 30), as well as in the top 20 on the Official UK Singles chart.
Eddy’s following included late Billboard chart historian Joel Whitburn, who told Billboard in 2016 about his enduring fandom for “the three Es” – Eddy, Elvis and the Everly Brothers.
Below, browse Eddy’s 10 biggest career hits on the Hot 100.
Duane Eddy’s Biggest Billboard Hits chart is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot 100 chart from its Aug. 4, 1958, inception, through May 4, 2024. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods.
