I am sad to announce that Eddie Bertrand died this afternoon. He was a legend in the surf rock community. He was a member of the first surf band, the Belairs and later with Eddie and the Showmen. RIP, Eddie.
For more informaton about Eddie see this discussion thread at Surf Guitar 101.
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/19778/?page=1
Eddie Bertrand live in 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhJM0iWL-kI&feature=relmfu
Johnny Tomala
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I'm not a part of the "surf rock community". I'm not even American and where I live surf rock is not very popular and I'm probably one of the very few who ever heard about Eddie Bertrand. Hell, maybe I'm the ONLY ONE in a country of 36-7 millions who know his music. The Bel Airs and Eddie And The Showmen were very important for surf music. They were pioneers of the genre. I love their music. Too bad that neither of these great bands released ever a long playing album. "Mr. Moto" and "Squad Car" are classics. I also like Eddie And The Showmen's "Young And Lonely" and their take on the old Russian melody (popular in my country) - "Dark Eyes". Eddie Bertrand - rest in peace. You were great. I will always remember you and listen to your music.
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I had to Google him....and I still don't know who he was.