EDDIE'S FATAL LAST NIGHT IN BRISTOLON APRIL 16th 1960 EDDIE COCHRAN DIES IN A CAR CRASH AT THE AGE OF 21
| THE LAST SHOW AT BRISTOL HIPPODROME Eddie Cochran top American rock'n'roller, took a last-minute decision that cost him his life one fatal night in Bristol. Eddie had been appearing all
week at the Bristol Hippodrome, heading a rock'n'roll variety package which
also included fellow American Gene Vincent and youthful British rockers Billy Fury, Georgie Fame, and Joe Brown. On the day of his final show, Saturday April 16th 1960, he and Gene Vincent decided not to catch the late night train from Temple Meads to Paddington but to hire a cab to Heathrow Airport
instead. It would save time and all the hassle of travelling on to London Airport, they agreed. |
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| THE LAST CAR JOURNEY FOR EDDIE Eddie, Gene, Eddie's girl-friend, songwriter Sharon Sheeley and a friend were collected by a Bristol taxi for the long journey up
the Great West Road. They never reached their destination. A tyre burst at Rowden Hill Chippenham Wiltshire and hit a lamp post. The tragic end to Eddie Cochran's life in a 1960 car crash resulted in a rush on his record sales, just as it happened over a year earlier when Bubby Holly died. Cochran has come to symbolize the early rebel rocker, not only due to his demise, but his haunting skills as a guitarists and composer. Over the years, Eddie's records have remained popular. Previously undiscovered material has been released and various artists have covered his biggest hits, all of which have resulted in commercial success. In 1987, he was elected to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. In only 21 years, Eddie created a style and an image that has lived on in lore and recordings. He was definitive proof that the power of rock and roll is in the attitude.
After two years in the recording business, Cochran's life hit a turning point beginning in March 1958 when he co-wrote "Summertime Blues." Released in May, the song hit number one of the pop charts and stayed there all summer long. Now considered a rock classic, the song is still often played on radio shows throughout the world. |
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