Eddie Cochran was born as Edward Raymond Cochran on October 3, 1938 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. When Eddie was 14, his parents moved to Bell Gardens, California where he began playing the guitar. In 1954, Eddie joined a local band with songwriter 'Hank Cochran were scheduled to return to the United States on an early morning flight. During the ride to Heathrow Airport, the ford consul taxi they were riding in blew a tire and skidded into a lamp post off the road. Sharon was badly injured, Vincent suffered a broken leg and other broken ribs, while Eddie suffered severe head injuries and died several hours later at a local hospital on the afternoon of April 17, 1960 at age 21.
Posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
How Sharon Sheeley met Eddie formed the basis of one of a series of wildly successful television commercials for Levis 501 jeans in the mid-1980s. As was to happen with the other commercials soundtracks, to coincide with this commercial, Eddies single, "Cmon Everybody" was re-released.
He sang a song entitled "Three Stars" in 1959 to mourn the death of Buddy Holly , Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper ), and he, himself, died only a year and two months later.
His guitar style was a major influence on his nephew Bobby Cochran, who went on to have a successful career in music and regularly honors Eddies catalog in concert. Bobby recently formed the rock n roll band Somethin Else! as a tribute to Eddies legacy.
Cover versions of his song "Summertime Blues" became successful hits for Blue Cheer in 1968 and The Who in 1970.
Following his untimely death, he was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, Orange County, California.
