His biggest song, “Summertime Blues,” was a bold and brash anthem that perfectly captured pent-up teen frustration and desire. Cochran, Pat Hickey, Edward Julson, and Gloria Julson.ĭespite his matinee-idol looks and penchant for wearing cardigan sweaters, Cochran was ’50s teenage rebellion personified. Cochran was just 21 years old.Įddie Cochran’s 6120 with Gibson P-90 neck pickup and sanded-clear pickguard. And, it had that sound.Ĭochran played the 6120 throughout his brief career, and it was at his side when he died in a car crash while touring England with Gene Vincent in 1960. The Cadillac of guitars, its bells and whistles glittered in the lights, making women swoon and men envious. By the time he strummed his last notes on that big, beautiful orange Gretsch 6120 guitar, the audience was worn out and went home satisfied that they had seen the best rockabilly anywhere.”Ĭochran was known by that “big, beautiful” guitar most photos of the era have him showing it off as a veritable symbol of his music, and it appeared on many EP and LP covers. Though the details are lost to history, The Los Angeles Times reported, “Last night, Eddie Cochran rocked and he rolled and finally the cows came home. One night in the late 1950s, Eddie Cochran set the world alight onstage in the City of Angels. Photo courtesy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. This oft-seen promo photo from Liberty Records shows Cochran playing “Twenty Flight Rock” in the 1956 film The Girl Can’t Help It.

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