Johnny Burnette (US)

1934 – 1964 In memoriam

American singer and guitarist from Memphis, born in 1934. With his brother Dorsey and guitarist Paul Burlison he formed the Rock and Roll Trio, whose 1956 Coral sides - 'Tear It Up', 'The Train Kept A-Rollin'', 'Honey Hush' - sold badly at the time and became foundational rockabilly records afterwards. After the trio broke up in 1957 he moved to California, wrote hits for Ricky Nelson with Dorsey, and had his own with 'Dreamin'' and 'You're Sixteen' in 1960. He toured Britain in 1962 on the Rock 'n' Twist U.S.A. package and Australia with Connie Francis. He drowned on Clear Lake, California on 14 August 1964, aged 30, when an unlit boat he was in was struck by a cabin cruiser.