Rockers like Gene Vincent, Johnny Burnette, and Eddie Cochran don't really get the respect they deserve. In some cases (Burnette's), their careers flamed out so quickly that their substantial artistic influence is negated in the public eye by a mere lack of hits. Others, like Cochran, died before they reach the pinnacle of their creative powers. (Gene Vincent is a little of both, but that's another story.) All indications are that Eddie Cochran would have been a major star, but he died at age 21 in the same car crash that crippled Vincent. As it stands, most folks know only Cochran's "Summertime Blues" and only because it's been covered to death (most notably by the Who and Blue Cheer).

"Summertime Blues" deserves its legendary status, certainly, with it's powerhouse riffs and anti-authority swagger, but Eddie cut a lot of good music in his brief career. He began in 1955 as one-half of the Cochran Brothers (with future songwriting legend Hank Cochran - who was not actually Eddie's sibling), and moved to Liberty in 1957. There, he scored a number of minor hits before his death in 1960, cracking the Top 10 only with "Summertime Blues." In 1971, EMI released a 2-LP set called Legendary Masters culling 30 tracks from all phases of Eddie's career. To my eyes and ears, its has never been equaled during "the CD age," even by the similarly-titled 1990 CD (which was clearly the first volume of a series the label never completed). So, you'll find no perfect, all-in-one Eddie Cochran package on the market, though many offerings are listed on Amazon and elsewhere (most imported, and some rather extensive).

All the same, Razor & Tie's Somethin' Else: The Fine Lookin' Hits Of Eddie Cochran is a great place to start - same concept as Legendary Masters, just shorter (20 songs). You'll thrill to "C'mon Everybody," "Nervous Breakdown," "Twenty Flight Rock," "Cut Across Shorty," and more as you grow to understand why English rock stars and rockabilly revivalists, at least, hold Cochran in such high esteem. Though Fine Lookin' Hits includes "Tired & Sleepy," a wonderful early side, it omits "Three Stars," Cochran's mournful tribute to Buddy Holly.

If you're digging deeper, look for The Early Years (Ace, 1993), which compiles Cochran's pre-Liberty sides, including "Tired & Sleepy," "Skinny Jim," and "Pink Peg Slacks." The Early Years makes an excellect companion to any number of imported hits packages - especially EMI's Something Else (32 tracks on one CD!). I also recommend Music Club's Rare 'n' Rockin' - 28 hard-to-find cuts for a bargain price.