Artist

Johnny Burnette

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A contemporary of <a href="spotify:artist:43ZHCT0cAZBISjO8DG9PnE">Elvis Presley</a> in the Memphis scene of the mid-'50s, Johnny Burnette played a similar brand of fiery, spare wildman rockabilly. With his brother <a href="spotify:artist:4IKhazN1C82QWCD2Oqwf3v">Dorsey</a> (on bass) and guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:6zXSSICXuQ7metuVT9glq1">Paul Burlison</a> forming his <a href="spotify:artist:1neKWNZP74NEuvHZmvMS58">Rock 'n' Roll Trio</a>, he recorded a clutch of singles for <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Decca%22">Decca</a> in 1956 and 1957 that achieved nothing more than regional success. Featuring the groundbreaking fuzzy tone of <a href="spotify:artist:6zXSSICXuQ7metuVT9glq1">Burlison</a>'s guitar, Johnny's energetic vocals, and <a href="spotify:artist:4IKhazN1C82QWCD2Oqwf3v">Dorsey</a>'s slapping bass, these recordings -- highlighted by the first rock & roll version of "Train Kept A-Rollin'" -- compare well to the classic Sun rockabilly of the same era. The trio disbanded in 1957, and Johnny found pop success as a teen idol in the early '60s with hits like "You're Sixteen" and "Dreamin'." Burnette died in a boating accident in 1964. His brother <a href="spotify:artist:4IKhazN1C82QWCD2Oqwf3v">Dorsey</a> achieved modest success as a solo act in the early '60s, and <a href="spotify:artist:6zXSSICXuQ7metuVT9glq1">Burlison</a> resurfaced as a member of the Sun Rhythm Section. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi

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