Personalities | Johnny & Dorsey Burnette | Fifties | Rock

(Vocal duo, 1958–61)

The Memphis-born brothers Dorsey (1932–79) and Johnny (1934–64) were both successful amateur boxers and formed the Rock And Roll Trio c. 1953 with guitarist Paul Burlison. Their rockabilly, too wild for the time, was later regarded as seminal, and the Burnettes moved to California, where they began songwriting (Ricky Nelson scored hits with their songs, ‘It’s Late’ and ‘Waitin’ In School’) and restarted recording careers. Dorsey sang country, Johnny pop with four US Top 20 hits in 1960–61 before he died in a boating accident.

Styles & Forms | Fifties | Rock
Personalities | Freddy Cannon | Fifties | Rock

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

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