<Archive Obituary> Johnny Burnette (August 14th 1964)
Bill Schenley
Singer Johnny Burnette Was on Way to Greatness
Photo: http://www.burnette-rock.com/BYEJOHN.JPG [1]
FROM: The Memphis Sun (August 27th 1964) ~
By Hank Zevallas
PACOIMA, Calif.
Pacoima singer-songwriter Johnny Burnette, who
drowned in a boating accident Friday, Aug. 14, was
a young man who typified the American success story
of the poor boy who went from rags to riches while
following a dream.
The popular singer, who hit the top in 1960 when his
recording of "Dreamin'" sold more than a million
copies, was born in Memphis, Tenn., in 1934, the son
of poor parents. When he was five-years-old, his
mother bought him a guitar with a few dollars she was
able to save. The young man cherished the instrument
and immediately began teaching himself to play.
In high school, Johnny organized a band and first sang
publicly at a benefit show at a naval base. Upon
graduation, he struck out on his own in search of success.
He tried prize-fighting first, eventually becoming a
Memphis city champion and a Golden Gloves contender,
but soon gave up that idea of trying to make his living.
On the Riverboat
After various other jobs, including a stint on a Mississippi
riverboat, the singer traveled to Los Angeles to break into
show business but returned to Memphis soon afterward,
penniless but still holding onto his dream.
With his older brother, Dorsey, now a successful singer
and songwriter in his own right - and guitarist Paul
Burlison, he headed for New York and landed a spot on
the Original Amateur Hour television show.
His appearance on the show was a tremendous success,
and the three young men went on tour with the show.
When they returned, seven contract offers were waiting
for them. Johnny signed with Coral Records and made
several recordings, none of which ever became extremely
popular.
Johnny toured the nightclub circuit until 1958, when he
tired of it and headed for California again, this time to seek
out another singer who currently was enjoying a smashing
success in the recording field - Ricky Nelson.
Sang Several Songs
Young Nelson listened while Johnny sang him several
songs he had written. Rick liked what he heard and
subsequently recorded "Waitin' in School" and "Believe
What You Say," both of which hit the million sales mark.
Johnny received a writer's award for the latter song and
from then on his career began to mushroom. His latest
record, "A Bigger Man" and "Less Than a Heartbeat,"
was to have been released Tuesday, Aug. 18, but was
postponed for a week upon the singer's death.
Funeral services for the young recording artist were held
Wednesday, Aug. 19, with interment at Forest Lawn
Memorial Park. He is survived by his widow, Thurla,
two sons, Rocky, 11, and Randy, 9, of Pacoima, and his
mother, of Van Nuys.
---
Photo: http://www.rockabilly.nl/artists/images/jburnette.jpg
---
Singer's Body Recovered
FROM: The New York Times (August 17th 1964) ~
By The Associated Press
LAKEPORT, Calif., Aug. 16
Sheriff's officers recovered the body today of
Johnny Burnette, a singer, who drowned in a boating
accident Friday.
Officers said Mr. Burnette, 30 years old, of Pacoima,
Calif., was returning to shore in darkness when a boat
powered by an outboard motor struck the small craft
that carried him.
---
Photo:
http://www.eddiecochran.info/images/Eddie_JohnnyBurnette.JPG
The Rock 'N' Roll Trio
http://www.hankstermania.com/TMINET/trio_suits.gif
(Paul Burlison, Johnny Burnette, Dorsey Burnette)
You're Sixteen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOeUc7Ucvao
Dreamin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be57eXiQF7Q
Lonesome Train
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLTqPRF4oBM
[1] This was the photo that accompanied the Memphis Sun obituary. The
caption under the photograph read: "Before the Tragedy."
Hyfler/Rosner
>
> [1] This was the photo that accompanied the Memphis Sun
> obituary. The caption under the photograph read: "Before
> the Tragedy."
Why was he out in a boat alone at night? And did they have
"after the tragedy" photos?