Eddie Cochran, born Ray Edward Cochran on October 3, 1938, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, began his musical journey at the tender age of 14 when his family relocated to Bell Gardens, California. It was here that he started playing the guitar and soon joined a local band with songwriter Hank Cochran, forming "The Cochran Brothers" despite not being related.
Initially, the duo performed as a country-western act, but their popularity waned with the rise of Elvis Presley in 1955. The group disbanded, and Eddie pursued a career in rock and roll, while Hank moved to Nashville to become a successful songwriter.
In 1956, Eddie teamed up with Jerry Capehart, an old friend and songwriter, and landed a recording contract with Crest Records. Liberty Records executive Si Warmoker, impressed by Eddie's singing, saw an opportunity to make him their answer to Elvis and helped launch his career.
Eddie's breakthrough came with his cameo appearance in the 1956 movie "The Girl Can't Help It," where he sang "Twenty Flight Rock." He also appeared in the low-budget film "Untamed Youth" (1957). His first single, "Sittin' in the Balcony," became a top 20 hit, followed by his iconic song "Summertime Blues" in 1958, which catapulted him to stardom among teenage listeners.
Eddie's influence on music in the late 1950s was immense, and he continued to tour and release new music. In 1959, he collaborated with songwriter Sharon Sheeley on the single "Somethin' Else," which was released in September of that year. The following year, Eddie embarked on a tour of England, where he met Sharon, and their relationship blossomed.
Tragedy struck on April 17, 1960, when Eddie, Sharon, and singer Gene Vincent were involved in a car accident while traveling to Heathrow Airport. Sharon suffered severe injuries, Vincent broke his leg and ribs, and Eddie died shortly after arrival at a local hospital at the age of 21.
