Died On This Date (August 19, 1979) Dorsey Burnette / Rockabilly Pioneer

Dorsey Burnette
December 28, 1932 – August 19, 1979

Dorsey Burnette was born into a musical family that included brother, Johnny Burnette.  But early on in life, the brothers pursued another dream, boxing, each becoming Golden Gloves champs.  In 1949, they met fellow pugilist, Paul Burlison who also shared an interest in music.  They soon formed the Rock and Roll Trio which would become one of the foundations of American rockabilly.  Dorsey continued to perform with the group and later as a solo artist well into the ’70s.  His music found a home with rockabilly, pop and country fans alike.  Dorsey Burnette died of a massive coronary on August 19, 1979.  He was just 46.

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Dorsey Burnette

Died On This Date (September 27, 2003) Paul Burlison / Rockabilly Pioneer

Paul Burlison
February 4, 1929 – September 27, 2003

burlisonPaul 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.