Dorsey Burnette (December 28, 1932 – August 19, 1979) was an American early rockabilly singer. With his younger brother, Johnny Burnette, and a friend, Paul Burlison, he was a founding member of the Rock and Roll Trio, which rose to fame in the 1950s. The trio's vibrant blend of rockabilly music influenced the genre significantly, but Dorsey also had a successful solo career later. His smooth voice and compelling songwriting led to a variety of hits both on the pop and country music charts.
Dorsey's solo career saw him releasing several popular songs with his most distinguished hit being "Tall Oak Tree," which reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Over the years, his work extended to the Motown label, where he crafted soulful tunes that added depth to his discography. Albums like "The Complete Motown Recordings 1964-1965" showcase this period of his career, offering a unique fusion of rockabilly roots with the Motown sound. Though his life was cut short at the age of 46, Dorsey Burnette's musical legacy has been kept alive through remastered collections and compilations, such as "The Unreleased Masters" and "Dorsey Burnette's Tall Oak Tree (Bonus Track Version)," providing listeners old and new a glimpse into the breadth and depth of his contributions to American music.
Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the artists you love!
Get Started