Eddy Drake born 7 August 1940

Eddy Drake ( August, 7, 1940 – July 8, 2009) was an American honky tonk guitarist, singer and session player. 

Eddy Drake (also known as Eddie) was born one of five brothers, just outside Louisville, Kentucky. He began his musical career at the age of twelve by playing and singing in church and on street corners, while his grandfather would preach. 

At the age of seventeen Eddy joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed in California, where he later had his own television shows for five years and was voted as having the best dance band by the Academy of Country & Western Music. He was also a disc jockey for seven years. Eddy and his band have backed just about every country music entertainer in the business. 

                                    

Eddy’s first recording in 1959 “I’ll Leave the Front Door Open”, went on the charts everywhere. In 1965 his record of “Completely Destroyed” went to number one in all the major markets, which was followed by “After Loving You”.

He recorded numerous indie singles in addition  to a full-length LP “ The Country Sounds of Eddy Drake...Today”. He worked with producer Cliffie Stone and the husband-wife duo of Johnny and Janie Mosby. Eddy led the Country Sounds at The Aces Club in the City Of Industry from about 1964 to 1969, then the Rockette in '69, and the Band Box in 1970 to 1973. Apparently a lot of great guitar players went through Eddy's band. 

He died  in Pomona, California July 8th 2009 from complications of Alzheimers.

(And that dear music lovers is about all I can muster. Unfortunately there is next to nothing regarding Eddy Drake on the web. The above information was edited from Cliffie Stone’s  liner notes from Eddy’s LP, Discogs, flickr and YouTube comments where someone gave the date of his death. If anyone knows of a better biography please let me know.)