Memphis-born Johnny, plus elder brother Dorsey and their guitarist friend Paul Burlison, formed the legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio which recorded in the late 50s for Coral.
The group split and while Johnny and Dorsey continued writing together (both Believe What You Say and Waitin’ In School were recorded by Ricky Nelson), they pursued solo singing careers.
Johnny was eventually teamed with producer Snuff Garrett, and the result was a series of excellent pop singles, four of which were major American hits, beginning in 1960 with Dreamin’.
Another great Johnny Burnette classic, You’re Sixteen was written by Richard and Robert Sherman, who went on to write the scores of such movie musicals as Mary Poppins (1964) and The Jungle Book (1967).
You’re Sixteen was successfully revived later by Ringo Starr – It provided him with a #1 single in 1974.
Burnette drowned in a boating accident while fishing in 1964 at the age of 30.
