Tom Hanks shares tribute to musical hero Duane Eddy
In light of the passing of rock and roll pioneer Duane Eddy, Hollywood actor Tom Hanks has shared a moving tribute to the fallen guitar icon. Eddy passed away on April 30th, 2024, of cancer in Franklin, Tennessee.
Hanks has always had a history of listening to some of the biggest bands of the 1950s and 1960s. Outside of his central role in films about the music business, such as That Thing About You and Elvis, Hanks has voiced his praise for artists like The Beatles in the past and has even spoken about how artists like Dave Clark Five spiritually lifted him during his youth.
Taking to Instagram, Hanks memorialised the guitar icon in an emotionally charged message, stating, “Goodbye, Duane, and bless you for the music that filled our lives. Boss Radio 66 will never forget Mr.Eddy.” Boss Radio 66 is a radio program hosted by Hanks, where he plays various songs from the golden age of rock and roll.
Eddy, who rose to prominence in the 1950s, specialised in bringing the sound of twang guitar into the mainstream. Alongside his string of solo hits such as ‘Rebel Rouser’, he contributed session work for the theme to Peter Gunn as well as Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’, the latter of whom also have made statements about Eddy’s talent.
Of course, Hanks is far from the first to praise Eddy. Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore also penned a statement about the guitarist’s passing, stating, “He will always be my number one inspiration from the time I took up the guitar until now. He was so unique in his playing. The world has lost a great guitar player—a truly unique guitar player.”
In addition to Blackmore, Eddy’s influence was felt in the music of The Beatles. Outside of influencing the likes of George Harrison and Paul McCartney, the latter would eventually work with Eddy in Wings, including him on the song ‘Rockestra Theme’ on Back to the Egg amongst a collection of other rock stars.
Eddy is survived by his wife and three children, Linda Jones, Chris Eddy, and Jennifer Eddy Davis.
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