Family shares memories of local roots as Duane Eddy Circle plans tribute to Corning icon

Plans are in the early stages to create a monument in the City of Corning to help build awareness that pioneering guitarist Duane Eddy was born in the Crystal City.

Eddy died April 30, 2024, at the age of 86.

Eddy was a guitar hero and rock and roll legend who influenced George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen and many other musicians with songs like “Rebel Rouser” and “Peter Gunn.” He died of cancer at William Health Hospital in Franklin, Tenn. surrounded by his family.

Eddy spent his early years in Corning, where he learned to play guitar. A group of Corning-area residents was already working on a tribute to Eddy's Steuben County roots when he died this spring.

“Our goal is to build awareness of Duane Eddy being born in Corning, who he was, and to establish something permanent to recognize him,” said Frank Acomb, a member of the Corning Duane Eddy Circle formed in early 2024. “We had hoped to do something for him by his birthday in 2025, but unfortunately he passed away.”

Acomb said he exchanged emails with Eddy in early April and Duane was excited about the group forming and plans for a permanent fixture recognizing him somewhere in the city of his birth.

“Currently there is nothing really set in stone,” Acomb said. “We have three or four different avenues we are considering. I emailed Duane and told him about the plan prior to his death and he was excited about it.”

Acomb said the committee was “devastated” when it learned of Eddy's passing, but has taken comfort in Eddy knowing that the group was working on this project.

“Our major goal is just for people to recognize that he was born here in Corning. He spent his whole career starting all this publicity that he was born in Corning," said Acomb. "He's always been very proud of that. So, our goal is to be as proud of Duane Eddy.”

Family remembers a young Duane Eddy playing guitar 'on the front porch'

Eddy still has family in the area, including in Towanda, Pa.

“He was just extremely proud of what he accomplished," said Jack Eddy, a first cousin from Towanda who Duane called his brother. “He was around some well-known artists. He played with Elvis Presley; he was great friends with The Everly Brothers and worked with Annette Funicello, Paul Anka and Bobby Darin.”

Dick Clark was one of Duane Eddy's best friends, his cousin recalled.

“He was on American Bandstand several times,” Jack Eddy said. “I used to live on Second Street in Towanda, and he used to come on the front porch, get the guitar out and play. Then his family moved from this area.”

Duane Eddy's father, Lloyd, worked at Stroman’s Sunbeam Bread in Sayre, Pa. before quitting the job and moving the family to Arizona.

“That’s where his career really took off,” said Jack Eddy. “He didn’t have any guitar training; he did most of it by ear.”

Jack Eddy said about two years ago Duane Eddy and his family visited his daughter Cindy's home in the Troy, Pa. area.

“He would come there and play the guitar and stay for a week or two,” Eddy said. “Me and my wife, Judy, would go up every day and have picnics with him and stuff like that. He was a great guy, and we just feel terrible that he’s gone.”

Judy Eddy remembers when Duane Eddy sent a $100 bill to his grandmother, Daisey Eddy, of Lakewood, Pa.

“He was a sweet grandson even though he was famous musician,” said Judy Eddy.

More: From Duane Eddy to Margaret Sanger, here are 9 notable people from Steuben County

Acomb: Eddy was proud of Corning roots

Acomb said the group behind the Duane Eddy Circle wants to recognize Eddy for his talent as the guitar instrumentalist who changed rock’n’roll with his twang-y sound, but also for his warmth and charisma as a genuinely nice person.

“He was very proud to tell the world he was born in Corning, so we would like to claim him as ours,” Acomb said. “He has a fantastic life story that is interesting whether you know his songs or not.”

Acomb, the host of Frankly Speaking, said about 10 years ago he contacted Duane Eddy, interviewed him and the two founded a friendship.

“That was very special,” Acomb said. “We talked on the phone or through e-mail, just checking in on each other quite often. He was just the greatest guy in the world and his stories were amazing.”

Duane Eddy last visited Corning in 2017

Eddy was in Corning in October 2017 to meet with Acomb and Mayor Rich Negri to thank them for their work in getting June 7, 2017 declared “Duane Eddy Day” in the City of Corning.

During his stop, he and his wife Deed had lunch at Old World Café and then stopped by to see the mural on The Brick House Brewery painted by Brett Steves. The mural includes a picture of Eddy from his first album cover.

Eddy was born in Corning in 1938 and had a string of hits in the late 1950s and early 60s, including "Rebel Rouser," "Peter Gunn," and "Forty Miles of Bad Road." He was best known for his “twangy” guitar sound and sold millions of records.

Eddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and in 2008 he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. He was later honored by the Steuben County Hall of Fame in 2022.

This article originally appeared on The Leader: Family recalls Duane Eddy's Corning roots. Group plans tribute to icon