Rocky Burnette
| Rocky Burnette | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jonathan Burnette |
| Born |
June 12, 1953 Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Origin | Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Genres | Rock and roll, rockabilly |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist |
| Instruments | Singing, guitar |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | EMI America |
Rocky Burnette (born Jonathan Burnette, 12 June 1953)[1][2] is an American rock and roll singer/musician and the son of rock and roll musician Johnny Burnette. He is best known for his 1980 hit single "Tired of Toein' the Line" which he co-wrote with Ron Coleman, who formerly wrote, recorded and performed with the Brothers Grim and The Everly Brothers.
Career
Rocky Burnette was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and became part of the early 1980s revival of the rockabilly style. He released his first album, The Son of Rock and Roll, on EMI America in 1979. In the summer of 1980, his single "Tired of Toein' the Line" became a #8 POP hit in the United States. The song was also popular internationally, becoming a No. 1 hit in Australia and peaking at No. 3 in South Africa. It reached No. 58 in the UK Singles Chart.[3] EMI America's financial problems interfered with promotion efforts for the follow-up singles (several of which became hits in other countries), and Burnette's second album, Heart Stopper, was not successful.
In 1981, Burnette toured Europe with the final version of his deceased father's Rock and Roll Trio. He also used the band on his next album, Get Hot or Go Home! on Enigma Records. It also sold poorly, and Enigma dropped Burnette and the Trio rather than release a follow-up.
Burnette worked with Rosie Flores and Dwight Twilley in the mid-1990s, and also contributed vocals and the original "Trouble Is I'm in Love With You" to Paul Burlison's 1997 Train Kept A-Rollin'. In 1996, Burnette released Tear It Up on Core Records.
Burnette co-wrote the European hit "You Got Away With Love" for Percy Sledge in 1997 which was produced by Saul Davis & Barry Goldberg. He continues to tour internationally at a number of rockabilly shows.
References
- ↑ Rocky Burnette at the Internet Movie Database
- ↑ "Today in history". ABC News. Associated Press. June 12, 2014.
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 86. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
Discography
- The Son Of Rock And Roll (EMI America, 1979)
- Heart Stopper (The Goods Records, 1982)
- Get Hot Or Go Home! (KYD/Enigma, 1983)
- Tear It Up (Core, 1996)
- Hip Shakin' Baby: A Tribute To Johnny & Dorsey Burnette (Rockstar, 2000 [rel. 2002]) - with Darrel Higham & The Enforcers
- Wampus Cat (El Toro, 2006 [rel. 2007])