More Duane Eddy.....

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 11 Feb 2009 1:07 pm

I couldn't put this on 'Steel on the Web' for obvious reasons but, quite apart from Duane's super playing on this track, I'm proud to have been a tiny part of it! That's me with the stripped-down Telecaster and scary (lack of) hair-cut; circa 1975 at a TV show in Germany.

I was delighted to have a chance of playing that famous Gretsch 6120 on which he played all his early hit records! I don't think I've met a nicer celebrity musician than Duane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8w0B0QCLXg

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 11 Feb 2009 1:21 pm

Cool...! Thanks, Roger...

Glen Derksen · Post by **Glen Derksen** » 11 Feb 2009 5:59 pm

Wow! I didn't know Duane could play fancy stuff like that. I'm more used to hearing him play the single note twangy stuff. Thanks for posting that.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 11 Feb 2009 6:14 pm

That was the only departure he made during the 35-40 minutes of recorded music that day - everything else was one of his well-known single-string pieces.

A friend of mine - guitarist Billy Bremner - had worked with him previously, and said to me: 'Try and get him to do some Chet Atkins stuff for you!' In the end I didn't have to ask - it was part of the programme!

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 11 Feb 2009 7:41 pm

More evidence (if any were needed) that Roger has one of the coolest resumes on the Forum! Cool.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 12 Feb 2009 10:26 am

Nice to know that he could play far above his recordings. Extra kudos for knowing what pays the bills as well, and sticking with what works, in spite of his superior talent. Thanks, Roger!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 12 Feb 2009 10:37 am

My pleasure, guys - isn't he terrific?

One of his hits we did was 'Shazam' - a blues-based instrumental with 'stop' choruses. The record featured a sax solo (covered on our session by the ever-excellent Rex Morris), but Duane insisted that I take a chorus as well, saying: 'Play what you want...' He, though, never varied from his original recording and replicated every note perfectly. He did indeed know what 'paid the bills', saying: 'They expect to hear it just as I recorded it - it's better if I don't change anything.'

We all used borrowed Stramp amplification on the day - I found them a bit clean-sounding, but Duane seemed to have no problem sounding exactly like Duane!!!

I got the gig because he had been in London the week before doing an album with producer Tony Macauley, and I was on rhythm guitar for that session. I think the record was called 'Dance With The Guitar Man'. We all got the call for the TV show as well.

Ben Strano · Post by **Ben Strano** » 18 Feb 2009 7:43 pm

Roger Rettig wrote: We all used borrowed Stramp amplification on the day - I found them a bit clean-sounding, but Duane seemed to have no problem sounding exactly like Duane!!!

I did half a record with Duane a few years ago. Whenever someone heard it in the studio for the first time they always said "Sounds just like Duane Eddy!!!". I wound up hearing that like nine times a day.

Cleat Wooley · Post by **Cleat Wooley** » 19 Feb 2009 7:39 am

Mr. Duana Eddy, is one of the GREATES Guitar player I have ever Heard . His 2nd. Album was total GREAT picken,Blew most lead guitar pickers away!! I was only 13 then but I knew then , HE was GREAT Picker!!!!.

cleatwooley.com [ yahoo.com ]