Cochran was involved with music from an early age, playing in the school band and teaching himself to play blues guitar.
In 1954, he formed a duet with the guitarist Hank Cochran (no relation).
When they split the following year, Eddie began a songwriting career with Jerry Capehart.
His first success came when he performed the song "Twenty Flight Rock" in the film The Girl Can't Help It, starring Jayne Mansfield.
Soon afterward, he signed a recording contract with Liberty Records and his first record for the label, "Sittin' in the Balcony", rose to number 18 on the Billboard charts.
