He recorded a clutch
of singles in
Nashville
for Decca in 1956 and
1957
that achieved only regional
success at the time.
However, these recordings
have since
gone on to
become
underground
favorites revered by
contemporary Rockabilly fans.
Although Johnny Burnette's road musicians Paul Burlison (Guitar) and Dorsey Burnette (Bass) are commonly credited with having been on these
recordings,
recent research has
shown
what many Rockabilly
aficionados
have always
suspected.
On most of the
'56 and
'57 recordings
Johnny's energetic
vocals
were backed by
the
distinctive work of
legendary
Nashville
session men:
Guitarist
Grady Martin
and
Bassist Bob
Moore.
The
GRADY MARTIN/BOB
MOORE
Fan Club
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,
Dorsey,
achieved modest success
as
a solo act
in the early '60s,
and
Burlison recently resurfaced
as a
member of the
Sun Rhythm
Section.
Italy's rockabilly-guitar
king Marco DiMaggio, holding JB's
original high-school
letter-sweater,
at Nashville's
Country Music Hall Of Fame.
(Photo by
Kittra Moore)
