Died On This Date (September 27, 2003) Paul Burlison / Rockabilly Pioneer
themusicsover Paul Burlison
February 4, 1929 – September 27, 2003
Paul Burlison was a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio, a rockabilly band who would heavily influence rock ‘n roll bands for generations to come. He formed the band with brothers, Dorsey Burnette and Johnny Burnette in the early ’50s, and by 1956, they were in New York City recording for the Coral label. And although their records were never quite hits, they became popular and thus influential due to many television appearances during their short run. They appeared on American Bandstand, Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour, The Tonight Show and Kraft Music Hall, but despite the remarkable promotional blitz, it never resulted in many record sales. The band called it quits in 1957 and Burlison all but retired from the music business, only to make a comeback during the rockabilly revival of the ’80s. It wasn’t until 1997 that Burlison made his first solo album, Train Kept A-Rollin’. Guests on the album included Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Cesar Rojas, David Hidalgo, Mavis Staples, and the second generation of Burnettes, Rocky Burnette and Billy Burnette. Paul Burlison died of cancer at the age of 74.
George “Wydell” Jones was not only the lead vocalist of doo wop singing group, the Edsels, he wrote their most famous song, “Rama Lama Ding Dong.” The song, even though recorded in 1957, became a hit for the group in 1961, reaching #21 on the Billboard singles charts. The popularity of the song landed the Edsels on American Bandstand that same year. George “Wydell” Jones passed away in his home a week before his 72nd birthday.
Janis Martin was a popular rockabilly performer who came to prominence during the 1950s. Because of her on-stage moves, she was often referred to as the Female 
