Early life
- Born on March 27, 1932, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States.
- Son of a Baptist minister, he grew up in a musical family; his older brother, Johnny Burnette, also became a prominent rockabilly singer.
Career
- In the early 1950s, Burnette formed the group The Rhythm Rangers and performed on regional radio stations.
- Relocated to New York City in 1955, where he worked as a session musician and performed in clubs.
- Signed to Imperial Records in 1957, releasing his debut single “Dreamin’” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top 100 in early 1958.
- Follow‑up singles such as “Tryout” and “Alone On The Sky” achieved moderate chart success, solidifying his reputation in the rockabilly and early rock‑and‑roll scenes.
- In 1962, Burnette moved to Los Angeles and shifted focus to songwriting, contributing material for artists including The Everly Brothers and Frankie Lymon.
- He continued recording intermittently throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, producing a blend of rock, pop, and country‑influenced tracks.
Personal life
- Married twice and had three children.
- Served in the United States Army for a brief period during the early 1950s.
Death
- Died on August 19, 1979, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 47 from complications related to a heart condition.
Legacy
- Recognized as a pioneer of the rockabilly genre, Burnette’s work has been featured on numerous compilation albums highlighting 1950s rock and roll.
- Posthumously inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 1995.
- “Dreamin’” remains his most enduring hit, frequently covered by later artists and included in retrospective collections of early rock music.
