"SUMMERTIME BLUES," IS AN ETERNAL LOVE AFFAIR
Tom Petty, Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker, Danny Harvey, Duane Eddy and many more agree, "Summertime Blues" by Sharon Sheeley is where you should be this autumn.
This summer marks the fiftieth anniversary of his tragic death. But the Eddie Cochran mystique and talent live on, why? Perhaps it has something to do with Sharon Sheeley's entwined legacy. Those of us not as familiar with Sharon's pioneering work in the business of rock and roll songwriting may only remember her as Eddie Cochran's fiancée, although she was much more than that.
It is 1958 and a sixteen year old girl has discovered that her boyfriend has been less than honest with her, in fact, he is married. Is it the same old story of teenage angst and deception? Perhaps it would have been except that this extraordinary sixteen year old would pen a song based on her embarrassing first love that would become a teen idol's number one best selling record and stay on the charts longer than any song to date. Written by a sixteen year old girl? On the back of an envelope? While riding home from San Diego to Newport Beach on a bus? Ridiculous. However, as they say, it is rock and roll history.
This achievement would have been significant on its own; however, this sixteen year old girl would also pull the pants down and get it over on some of the shrewdest and experienced businessmen in the music industry. One can only wonder who the "Poor Little Fool" really may have been. In the fifties, the music industry was completely dominated by men, every aspect of the business. To think that a young woman could have anything worthwhile to contribute, well, was preposterous.
Sharon did not start out dreaming of becoming a hit songwriter. Her ambition was far more modest although as unrealistic. Like many teenagers she dreamed of meeting Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, and movie stars such as Marlon Brando. Meet them she did. In the cases of Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson and other rock and roll sensations of their time, they became dear friends. And most significantly, her incredible rock and roll adventure crossed paths with the love of her life, Eddie Cochran.
Sharon went on to write some of the most successful tunes of the late fifties and early sixties for recording artists such as Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Brenda Lee, Eddie Cochran, and Jackie DeShannon. Artists that have covered and performed her songs reads like a Who's Who in music; Little Richard, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Keith Richards, The Fleetwoods, Ritchie Valens, The Searchers, Glen Campbell, Herb Alpert, Jeff Beck, Mac Davis, Tanya Tucker, David Gates, U2, The Sex Pistols, Brian Setzer (the Stray Cats), Lee Rocker, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and many more.
Sharon's remarkable journey is filled with crazy excitement, humor, love, heart-wrenching loss, and a remarkable rebirth. In her later years she became a mentor to many aspiring creative artists spanning the entertainment industry. "You never knew who might show up at our house," says Sharon's son, Shannon Sheeley, "It was a non-ending cavalcade of aspiring songwriters, musicians, TV and movie actors." Shannon administers his late mother's estate and he is determined to keep her and Eddie Cochran's memory and legacies alive. "I don't think most people realize how much impact that my mom and Eddie had on the music world and how much they touched and inspired people's lives in a very special and enduring way."
Duane Eddy remembers, "It was my first tour of England. Bobby Darin, Clyde McPhatter and I were working the circuit. I was in London on April 13, 1960 when I ran into Eddie at the hotel. He introduced me to his fiancée, Sharon. Eddie was one of my dearest friends. We talked about our passion for guitars and guns, and how we planned to get together at my home in Arizona and do some writing, recording, and target shooting after the tour. I did not know it at the time, but the morning of April 14th would be the last time I'd see Eddie. Sharon and I maintained our friendship and she, along with her songwriting partner, Jackie DeShannon, wrote a couple of songs for my RCA album, 'Twangin Up A Storm.' Sharon remained faithful to Eddie's memory until her death. He truly was the love of her life."
Jackie DeShannon would later write of her friend and collaborator, "We celebrated our hit songs in the early sixties at Tiny Naylor's Drive In, living the 'Hollywood Dream.' With the convertible top down in the warm California sun. Those memories I will forever cherish."
In 1973 United Artists released an Eddie Cochran double memorial album. They rented the famous Whisky nightclub on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood to kick-off the historic event. Virtually every rock and roll celebrity was invited, and although the public was not, thousands of fans poured onto Sunset Blvd. and surrounded the club. It was the night that the Eddie Cochran mystique, magic and electricity knocked the power out to the entire business district around The Whisky, literally. It was memorable to say the least.
In 1988 the Levi Strauss Company produced a 501 blue jeans commercial celebrating Eddie and Sharon's romance with Eddie's hard rocking "Cmon Everybody" pulsating throughout.
And who was it that inspired Sharon to write that first chart-topper "Poor Little Fool," recorded by Ricky Nelson? None other than Don Everly of the Everly Brothers. Phil Everly and Sharon became the dearest of life-long friends. Phil took on the role of 'big brother,' He is Shannon's Godfather too.
Sharon's incredible story, "Summertime Blues" will be published this autumn by Ravenhawk Books. A feature film is also in the works.
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