Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story [Hardcover]

Bobby Cochran (Author), Susan VanHecke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

Outrageously talented, remarkably handsome, internationally renowned, and dead at the age of 21. More than 40 years after the tragic car crash that killed him, Eddie Cochran remains one of rock and roll's most lamented "What Ifs." A trailblazing guitarist, gifted vocalist, hit-making composer and arranger, and budding whiz-kid producer, Cochran quickly ascended from Midwestern obscurity in the late '50s to become one of nascent rock and roll's leading lights. He penned or recorded many of the most recognized songs in rock history - "Summertime Blues," "Nervous Breakdown," "Somethin' Else," "C'mon Everybody," "Twenty Flight Rock," "Sittin' in the Balcony" - songs whose distinctive sound and defiant, often wryly humorous lyrics have been eagerly digested, analyzed and lovingly reinterpreted by generations of rockers after him, from The Beatles to the Sex Pistols, The Who to U2. Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story - co-authored by Cochran's nephew, also a gifted musician - is the first American biography of this uniquely American rock legend, who was among the first to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The book is a detailed portrait of Cochran's personal and professional triumphs and travails, with fascinating insight into the rock pioneer's life that only a family member can provide. 33 B/W photographs; Hardcover.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... an excellent work for music historians and budding rock guitarists. -- Vintage Guitar, November, 2003

Buy this now... a biography that benefits from memory and family lore as well as interviews and research. -- Rolling Stone, September 18, 2003

While Cochran's meteoric rise... is shown from an insider's view, his influence is felt through the author's self-examination. -- Dirty Linen, October/November 2003

About the Author

Bobby Cochran is an award winning producer and guitarist who has worked with Steppenwolf, the Grateful Dead and Adrian Legg. He lives in Nashville USA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard; 1 edition (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0634032526
• ISBN-13: 978-0634032523
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #976,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Music Lives, August 8, 2003

By 

D. Sean Brickell (gorgeous Virginia Beach, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story (Hardcover)

I have to break this review into two parts. One is the writing, which is a solid 5 stars. The other is the storyline, which is only 3 stars. The average is 4 stars.

My main complaint is having to read the life story of Eddie's nephew. Albeit an acomplished guitarist in his own right, not the subject I wanted to learn about in this book.

When the book is on the genius of EC, the pages fly by. Whilst reading about nephew Bobby, it was like pan-mining for gold nuggets: a lot of muddy water with the rare shinny moment.

Ms. Van Hecke has done another terrific writing job, however, equal to her work on Eddie's mentor and running mate, Gene Vincent. The book coulda been as good as that bio, but for the stuff I didn't need to know about Bobby.

Wish I could have given this 5 stars. . .

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EDDIE LIVES!!!, August 25, 2004

By 

S. Rodger "GretschKat57" (San Leandro, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story (Hardcover)

This book was an absolute pleasure to read and I couldn't put
it down. As well as valuable insight into the life of Eddie
Cochran, it was interesting to read about Bobby's life and how
Eddie was such an inspiration to him and his guitar playing.
It's one of those rare books that you find and treasure....each
time I read it I feel like I knew them personally. To anyone
interested in Eddie, rockabilly, or some awesome Gretsch guitar
playing, READ THIS NOW!!! What are you waiting for???? This book
is SOMETHING ELSE!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended, August 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Three Steps to Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story (Hardcover)

Received a copy of 'Three Steps to Heaven' this morning and have finished it already! It's been a long time since I read a book in a day. I've come away feeling like I actually know Eddie and Bobby, his nephew.

I've also learnt some stuff: I always thought Ned Fairchild was a pseudonym for Eddie on 'Twenty Flight Rock,' thought Bo Davis was actually Hank Cochran. Good to see Sharon Sheeley get a fair hearing as well, she usually gets dismissed by lesser people. And the implications that Eddie has offspring!

Those last two chapters - how I didn't cry I'll never know. I remember reading the sad news about Bobby's daughter Bree - killed in the same way, on the same day, at the same age as Eddie - in that year's Chippenham programme and it made me go cold for days. The coincidences/comparisons are frightening.

If it wasn't for Eddie and his music I'd never have picked up a guitar. To have that much influence when he was only with us for 21 years....I'm not very articulate but I hope I've come across ok.