At the 2012 Gretsch Showcase at NAMM, guitar legend Duane Eddy was a hit, whether it was his two packed autograph signings, the countless pictures he took with fans, or his chance meeting with metal god Alice Cooper.
Through the insanity of NAMM, GretschGuitars.com got a chance to chat with Eddy about seeing Cooper and his 2011 album, Road Trip, which featured contributions by Pulp’s Richard Hawley.
GretschGuitars.com: How do you know Alice Cooper?
Eddy: “Believe it or not, that was the first time I met him. I knew of him for many, many years. He’s also from Phoenix, where I started my recording career.”
What did you guys talk about?
“He said he records in Nashville, and he said, ‘I’d love to have you on my alum.’ I said I’d be honored. How ‘bout that? Two Arizona boys.”
Road Trip was your first album in a long time! How did you meet up with Richard Hawley?
“I got connected with Richard through his manager. [The manager] talked about managing me, and I said, ‘What can you do? I’m old and done.’ He said, ‘I don’t think you are. I’d like to put some dates together.’ I told him to take his best shot. Next thing you know, he was calling me over to promote the dates.”
What was the recording process like?
“When I was over there doing the dates, Graham [Betts, manager] lamented the fact that we had no budget and no songs, so we decided to do an album. We went out to the studio in Sheffield with the rest of the group, and the rest is history. We all just started coming up with ideas and wrote what we liked.
“I couldn’t believe the final product. It really sounded good. I went back in 2011, and it was amazing how the fans took to it.”
Did this record light the fire to record again?
“It was really fun, because it was like going back to the old days in Phoenix where I started. It was like recording live in the studio.
“Who knows? It’s critically acclaimed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we can do another one. But I’d like to. They kind of surprised me before, and I didn’t have any time to think about it. Now, I’d like another go.”