Eddie Rabbitt American country musician Date of Birth: 27.12.1941 Country: USA

1. Birth and Ancestry
2. Early Life
3. Early Musical Career
4. Breakthrough
5. Success as a Songwriter
6. Solo Career
7. Peak of Popularity
8. Later Years
9. Death and Legacy

Birth and Ancestry

Eddie Rabbitt (born Edward Thomas Rabbitt) was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1941 to Irish immigrants. His father was reportedly an accordionist who played at local dances in the New York area.

Early Life

From a young age, Eddie showed a passion for music. By the age of 12, he had mastered the guitar and possessed an exceptional musical ear, especially for country music. When he was 16, his parents divorced, and he dropped out of school to pursue music full-time.

Early Musical Career

In 1950, Eddie worked at a mental health hospital but spent his evenings performing at the Six Steps Down bar, where he showcased his original songs. A musical contest victory earned him an on-air performance at a Paterson, New Jersey, radio station.

Breakthrough

In 1964, Eddie signed with 20th Century Records and released the singles "Next to the Note" and "Six Nights and Seven Days." He relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, to focus on songwriting and music production. Within his first night in the city, he composed "Working My Way Up to the Bottom," which Roy Drusky eventually recorded. Eddie also worked as a truck driver until he was offered a songwriting job with Hill & Range Publishing Company.

Success as a Songwriter

Eddie's popularity skyrocketed in 1969 when Elvis Presley recorded his song "Kentucky Rain," which became a hit and established Eddie as a leading songwriter in Nashville.

Solo Career

In 1975, Eddie signed with Elektra Records and released "I Should Have Married You" and "Forgive And Forget," which both reached the top 10. His debut solo album, "Rocky Mountain Music," was released in 1976 and featured his first number-one hit, "Drinkin' My Baby (Off My Mind)." His second album, "Rabbitt," came out the following year and earned him the title of Top New Male Vocalist of the Year.

Peak of Popularity

In the late 1970s, Eddie released two more albums, "Variations" and "Loveline," which continued his success in country music. By the early 1980s, he was among the top American entertainers, rivaling Elvis Presley himself. His album "Horizon" went platinum and featured the hits "I Love a Rainy Night" and "Drivin' My Life Away."

Later Years

Eddie continued to release albums throughout the 1980s, with many of his songs charting on country music charts. He announced his retirement in 1985 but later released his tenth album, "Rabbitt Trax." He worked on new music in the years that followed but never regained his former popularity. His final album, "Songs from Rabbittland," was released in 1998.

Death and Legacy

Eddie Rabbitt died at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 7, 1998, from lung cancer. He was married to Janine Girardi and had three children. Eddie is remembered as a talented country musician and songwriter who contributed many classic hits to the genre.