9-CD box LP-size with 116-page hardcover book, 289 tracks. Playing time approx. 638 mns.
Johnny Burnette was at the heart of rock n roll music for almost ten years, and had a leading role in most of the changes that overtook the music from the dawn of rockabilly to the British Invasion. Now his music from those incredible years is complete for the first time
Johnny Burnette was one of the very few Memphis rockabillies actually born in Memphis. Many rank his 1956 and 1957 Rock n Roll Trio recordings as the finest in all of rockabilly. The explosiveness and youthful energy truly heralded a new era in music, and the Trio s impact is felt to this day. But there was much more to Johnny Burnette, and it s all here on 9 CDs. Here is his very first record from 1955 as well as all of the Rock n Roll Trio recordings complete with alternate takes, and all of Johnny Burnette Hollywood recordings, plus one hundred rare or unissued demos.
Johnny Burnette and his brother Dorsey Burnette began their west coast career writing songs for Ricky Nelson Believe What You Say, It s Late, etc. . Johnny Burnette recorded for Ricky Nelson s label, Imperial, in 1958, then switched to Freedom/Liberty Records later that year. During his four years on Liberty, he scored several worldwide smash hits that defined the early Sixties, including
Dreamin , You re Sixteen, Little Boy Sad, and Big Big World. All the issued and previously unissued Liberty recordings are here, complete for the first time. After leaving Liberty in 1962, he recorded for Chancellor seven unissued Chancellor recordings are included here , Reprise, and then Capitol. The Capitol sessions are complete at last, too. Finally, Johnny Burnette recorded for his own label, Sahara/Magic Lamp, before dying tragically in a boating accident in 1964.
In addition to all of the session recordings, this exclusive boxed set includes three CDs of demos that Johnny Burnette recorded with Eddie Cochran, his brother Dorsey Burnette, and others. It also includes his instrumental recordings for Infinity and Gothic, as well as Dorsey Burnette s rockabilly classic Bertha Lou featuring Johnny Burnette on guitar and background vocals .
This set also includes a newly researched biography by Colin Escott and a complete discography by Russ Wapensky and Richard Weize, as well as exclusive photos from private collections and the Burnette family.
