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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZRABBITT, Eddie(b 27 Nov. '41, Brooklyn, NY) Pop/country vocalist. Worked as truck driver, soda jerk, fruit picker etc; released single 'Six Nites And Seven Days' on 20th Century-Fox '64; performed '67--8 on WRGB Radio in Albany NY, then WWVA Jamboree '68 in Wheeling WV; signed with Columbia and released flop records of his own songs 'The Bed And Holdin' On', 'Bottles' and 'I Just Don't Care Any More'. First success as a writer with Roy Drusky's version of his 'Working My Way Up From The Bottom' and Bobby Lewis's top 20 'Love Me And Make It All Better', both '67; hit big with top 20 hit 'Kentucky Rain' by Elvis Presley '70: Presley recorded more Rabbitt songs; Mel Street went top ten country with 'Livin' On Borrowed Time' and Ronnie Milsap scored his first no. 1 country hit with Eddie's 'Pure Love' '74. Jack Greene, Roy Clark, Willie Nelson all recorded his songs, leading to signing with WB/Elektra '74: minor hit 'You Get To Me' '74 followed by top 20 hits 'Forgive And Forget' and 'I Should Have Married You' '75, no. 1 'Drinkin' My Baby (Off My Mind)' and top ten hits 'Rocky Mountain Music' (crossed over to pop Hot 100) and 'Two Dollars In The Jukebox' '76. Often co-wrote with prod. David Malloy and long-time friend Even Stevens. Further hits incl. 'I Can't Help Myself', 'You Don't Love Me Anymore', 'I Just Want To Love You', 'Every Which Way But Loose' and 'Suspicions' '77--9, several country no. ones and all pop crossovers; 'I Love A Rainy Day' no. 1 pop, also made UK chart. More country no. ones: 'Gone Too Far' and 'Drivin' My Life Away' '80, 'Step By Step' and 'Someone Could Lose A Heart Tonight' '81, duet 'You And I' '82 with Crystal Gayle (also top ten pop), more solo hits '83--5. Switched to RCA '85 with new prod. Richard Landis, Phil Ramone for more up-to-date contemporary styling; 'Gotta Have You' '87 made country top ten. Recorded for Universal '89, Capitol '90; no record contract since '93, but still toured with his Hare Trigger band. He was biggest-selling country artist '80--82; a compilation '96 on WB consisted entirely of country no. one hits. |