Back in 1962, Duane Eddy hit #33 on the charts with this rockin' rendition of "The Ballad of Paladin." Among the tunes beating him out were "The Loco-Motion" by Little Eva, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" by Neil Sedaka, and "Ahab, the Arab" by Ray Stevens.
And then you flip the disc over and find 'The Wild Westerner'. Little known western movie for which Duane Eddy wrote the film score. He also starred in it as a gambler. Before that he had a bit part in the Richard Boone movie 'A Thunder Of Drums' before making a guest appearance in 'Have Gun, Will Travel'. On guitar Duane was fantastic - as an actor -no.
Dang, Ray, I didn't know any of that stuff. I especially didn't know the Twangmaster appeared on HGWT. I'll have to hunt that episode down. I got this tune from an LP, and 'The Wild Westerner' ain't on it.
There is a lot of Duane's output that has not seen the light of day - most of them the 'B' sides of discs and some EPs. Thankfully, I put the whole collection onto cassettes and have just completed the transfer to CD (lots of CDs) I guess you could say I was a fan.
Funny you should post this, right now I'm about halfway listening to the Old Time Radio "Paladin" classics with John Dehner....and enjoying them very much!
And then you flip the disc over and find 'The Wild Westerner'. Little known western movie for which Duane Eddy wrote the film score. He also starred in it as a gambler.
ReplyDeleteBefore that he had a bit part in the Richard Boone movie 'A Thunder Of Drums' before making a guest appearance in 'Have Gun, Will Travel'.
On guitar Duane was fantastic - as an actor -no.
That was cool. :)
ReplyDeleteDang, Ray, I didn't know any of that stuff. I especially didn't know the Twangmaster appeared on HGWT. I'll have to hunt that episode down. I got this tune from an LP, and 'The Wild Westerner' ain't on it.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of Duane's output that has not seen the light of day - most of them the 'B' sides of discs and some EPs.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, I put the whole collection onto cassettes and have just completed the transfer to CD (lots of CDs)
I guess you could say I was a fan.
If you're able to email me an mp3 of 'The Wild Westerner', Ray, I'll be pleased to post it for the of the world to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHave Gun Will Travel episode 'The Education Of Sara Jane' is the one with Duane Eddy.
ReplyDeleteI'll get one of the boys to sort the recording for you.
Funny you should post this, right now I'm about halfway listening to the Old Time Radio "Paladin" classics with John Dehner....and enjoying them very much!
ReplyDeleteDuane Eddy was also in the Have Gun Will Travel episode "Be Not Forgetful of Strangers," which aired during the Christmas season in 1962.
ReplyDelete