By the late 1950's most juke boxes in the land rattled to the sound of Eddie Cochran.
Even though like many rockers of the time he was vocally an imitator of Elvis Presley, it was Cochran's songs that captivated so many that followed in rock and roll.
Tragically killed in a car crash at the early age of 21 when touring Britain in April 1960, the part he played in rock and roll history was short but had a long lasting influence.
Paul McCartney knowing the chords and words to "Twenty Flight Rock" greatly impressed John Lennon and led to the Beatles forming.
The Clash, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Motörhead, The Damned, Marc Bolan, The Who, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, The White Stripes, The Sex Pistols and Jimi Hendrix have all covered his songs.
Playing a 1955 Gretsch guitar with a changed neck and Gibson P-90 pickups his sound was pure rockabilly.
Eddie Cochran, born this day in 1938.
