Eddie Cochran

Eddie Cochran

During a British tour with Gene Vincent in early 1960 Eddie played in Bristol. On the night time journey from Bristol to London the Ford Consul taxi in which he was travelling crashed into a lamp post at Rowden Hill, Chippenham. He was taken to St. Martins Hospital, Bath where he was pronounced dead. A permanent memorial stone can be seen at the scene of the crash. Gene Vincent and Eddie's girlfriend Sharon Sheeley were also a passengers in the car but survived.

For more than thirty years Eddie Cochran's passing was remembered by only a handful of fans, but in recent years one weekend has been given over to remembering his death and celebrating his music. The Eddie Cochran Rock'n'Roll Weekend became a regular event in the Chippenham calendar attracting fans and acts from all over the world.

Now the Good News:
April 2008
The Zig-Zag Band are appearing live at The Hungry Horse in Chippenham on Saturday April 12th. They will be playing a mixture of classic hits from the 50s and 60s in memory of American Rock & Roll star Eddie Cochran who at the age of 22, was Killed in a tragic car accident just outside the venue on April 16th 1960.

Mike Morrissey, drummer with The Zig-Zag Band, has organised this event for the past 4 years and is again looking forward to the evening. 'It will be good to see friends of the band coming together to join us in an evening of musical nostalgia. Songs from that era are as fresh today as they were back then and it's great to see people dancing and singing along to music that has undoubtedly stood the test of time.'

The 'Live Music Event' will start at 9.00pm and during the evening The Halle Bop Trio will perform a short set with experienced 'Double Bass' player Dave Clark coming down from London especially for the event.

Entry is free, and the restaurant will be taking food orders up until 9.00pm so come down early and have a bite to eat and enjoy an evening of live entertainment with one of the South/Wests top party bands 'The Zig-Zag Band.' Call the venue for more information 01249 653870.

October
Eddie Cochran Weekender
A special Eddie Cochran Weekender, to mark the occasion of Eddie Cochran's 70th birthday on 3rd October, will be held at the Olympiad, Chippenham, on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th October 2008.

Thursday 2nd Oct - The 4 Seasons Warm Up Gig 7.30pm - late (free admission):
Band to be announced
Friday 3rd Oct - The Olympiad 7pm - late:
Loose Noose (featuring Mark Harman)
Blast Ff
Rhythm Aces
DJ
Admission £12.00

Saturday 4th Oct - The Olympiad 12noon - late:
Vince Eager & Rockola
Matchbox
Marco Di Maggio
Hot Rod 55
The Eager Beavers
The Memphis Rockers
DJ
Admission: £23.00

BBC Radio 'live' from the event with Geoff Barker's Saturday Night RocknRoll Party'

Bargain Weekend Ticket just Ł30.00

Free Camping on site - Merchandise Stalls - Cafeteria

All tickets for the above event to be purchased in advance from:
The 2008 Eddie Cochran Weekender (please enclose a stamped address envelope)
41 Ashe Crescent
Chippenham
Wilts
SN15 1RN

Cheques etc to be made payable to: Eddie Cochran Events Organisation

Contact: 0044 (0) 7879 040 723 eddiecochranweekender@hotmail.co.uk email:

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