On April 17th, 1960, Eddie Cochran, one of the pioneering rock and roll musicians of the 1950s, tragically died in a car accident while on tour in the United Kingdom. He was only 21 years old.
Cochran was known for his energetic performances, innovative guitar playing, and his influence on the development of rock music. His most famous songs include "Summertime Blues," "C'mon Everybody," and "Twenty Flight Rock."
On the night of April 16th, Cochran had performed at the Bristol Hippodrome in England. After the show, he hired a taxi to take him to London Airport, as he was due to fly back to the United States the next day. However, during the journey, the taxi suffered a tire blowout, causing the vehicle to crash into a lamppost in Chippenham, Wiltshire.
Cochran, who was sitting in the back seat, was thrown from the vehicle and suffered severe head injuries. He was rushed to St. Martin's Hospital in Bath but died at 4:10 pm on April 17th, 1960, as a result of his injuries.
His death shocked the music world and devastated his fans. Cochran's girlfriend, songwriter Sharon Sheeley, and fellow performer Gene Vincent were also in the taxi but survived the crash with injuries.
Eddie Cochran's short but influential career left a lasting impact on rock and roll. His guitar style, which incorporated elements of country, blues, and rockabilly, inspired countless musicians, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. His tragic death on April 17th, 1960, cut short a promising career and forever left fans wondering what could have been.
