Rockbilly Boogie

Johnny Burnette Trio

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 1994)
• Original Release Date: 1989
• Label: Bear Family
• ASIN: B000001AW9
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #142,798 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
To Golden Age aficionados, this Memphis combo, comprised of brothers Johnny and Dorsey Burnette and visionary lead guitarist Paul Burlison, are the great lost rockabilly group of all time. Contemporaries of Elvis, the Burnettes scored a record contract after going to New York and winning top prize on the Ted Mack's Amateur Hour TV show (the Star Search of its day). This collection of their 1956 recordings contains the rawest, purest rockabilly ever made. In addition to such out-of-control classics as the title track and "Tear It Up," there are such influential recordings as "Train Kept A-Rollin'" (later covered by the Yardbirds and Areosmith), and "Lonesome Tears in My Eyes" (an early Beatles favorite). --Billy Altman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock 'n Roll Ground Zero, May 5, 1999

By A Customer

Founded in 1953, the Johnny Burnette Trio were not just contemporaries of Elvis Presley, they were very instrumental in influencing Elvis, the "Sun Sound," and Rock 'n Roll itself. Comprised of 3 young prizefighters with a Memphis reputation for "wild music," this trio's pioneering musical fusion of hillbilly and blues boogies is credited by the Memphis Music Hall Of Fame with "inventing Rockabilly." Their 1956 single release of "Train Kept A-Rollin'" b/w "Honey Hush" and its revolutionary distorted fuzztone guitar is listed by the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as one of the most influencial recordings in the development of the music. In an era of individual stars, many call them The First Great Rock Band. Some even call them the first punk band. They remain influencial to this day. "Rock Billy Boogie" (correct spelling) not only is credited with giving this exciting subgenre its name, but was originally named for Johnny and Dorsey Burnette's first-born toddlers, Rocky Burnette and Billy Burnette, who use to shake and dance as the trio rehearsed at home. Now both Rocky Burnette and Billy Burnette are continuing the great family heritage, with both having also recently worked with legendary trio guitarist, Paul Burlison.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great! But some myths abound!, November 9, 2004

By	Eugene J. Casey (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Of course this disc is essential: fantastic, raw rockabilly music. The term "rockabilly" was coined by Cashbox writers, attempting to describe not only hillbilly rockers, but the music of Chuck Berry (even Fats Domino was called a rockabilly by at least one writer). So, while Dorsey and Johnny named their kids Rocky and Billy they didn't actually invent the phrase.

There is the very strong likelihood that on many tracks the only member of the trio actually performing is Johnny himself. While Dorsey and Paul play on the NYC sessions ("Tear it Up"), and while Paul plays 2nd electric guitar on some of the Nashville tracks ("Train Kept..." and "Blues Stay Away From Me") it is the great session cat, guitarist Grady Martin playing the inventive licks on the majority of these recordings. This has been an on-going controversy amongst musicians and rockabilly fans, and it is surprisingly not mentioned in this forum. Despite this, the recordings here are wonderful examples of southern white rock & roll at its most primitive, even if some slick dudes had to dumb themselves down to play it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you do not own this you are not a rockabilly fan!, February 25, 2005

By	Byron Crump "merc50" (Flower Mound, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Pure and simple folks, the Johnny Burnette Trio is top shelf and in the running for greatest rockabillys ever. These guys were gods and were leaders on the cutting edge "back in the day." This should be standard issue to all music lovers no matter what style of music they like. These guys have a far reaching influence that goes beyond the rockabilly "scene" and even Aerosmith knows how important they were to rock and roll history. Buy this, and buy it now!