Rocky Burnette - The Son Of Rock And Roll (1979) + Bonus Single

(U.S 1979 - Present)

Jonathan "Rocky" Burnette, an American singer and musician made quite an impression in the family business. His father, Johnny Burnette, was the rockabilly hitmaker who notched such international hits as "You're Sixteen (You're Beautiful, and You're Mine)" and "Dreamin'" before tragically perishing in a boating accident in 1964.

His uncle, Dorsey, was a member with Johnny of The Rock and Roll Trio and a recording artist in his own right on such labels as Imperial, Dot, Reprise, Motown, and Capitol before his own sad death at age 46 of a heart attack in 1979. [see The Best Years of Music for more information about Rocky's family rockabilly heritage]

Rocky Burnette was part of the early 1980s revival of the Rockabilly style [part of the Urban Cowboy era].  He was just eleven years old when his father died. The rockabilly sound was in his DNA, and in 1979, he was signed to the EMI America label. Produced by Jim Seiter and Bill House and recorded in both the U.S. and the U.K., 'The Son of Rock and Roll' was dedicated to Johnny and Dorsey, among others. The LP was primarily penned by Rocky with such collaborators as Jim Seiter and Everly Brothers bassist Ronald Coleman, and welcomed special guests including Rockpile's Dave Edmunds and Dorsey's son and future Fleetwood Mac member Billy Burnette.

In the Summer of 1980, his single “Tired of Toein’ the Line” became a Top Ten 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. EMI America’s financial problems interfered with promotion efforts for the follow-up singles (several of which became hits in other countries), and Rocky's follow-up album Heart Stopper appeared on the independent The Goods Records label in the U.S. while EMI distributed it in altered form as Rocky Burnette in international territories.

In 1981, he toured Europe with the final version of his late father’s The 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, which went bankrupt almost immediately after its release.

Rocky Burnette continued to tour internationally, and wrote the European hit “You Got Away With Love” for Percy Sledge in 1997. 

He most recently contributed a version of "Mystery Train" to the 2021 collection Americana Railroad. Director Sally Steele's new documentary film, Raised on Rock: The Burnette Family Legacy, is heading soon to streaming services.

Album Review

This album is something special. Surely it is a forgotten classic or even a missed classic. There is only one weak song on the record "Angel In Chambray", but after that song passes there is nothing but hot rockin' roll music to be had. When Rocky goes for the mid-paced pop rock of "Fallin' In Love" or the bombastic groover "The Boogie Man", he hits a home run. 

This album had many great single candidates and if given the proper treatment would be one of the last classic albums from the 1970's. Alas it is unknown to nearly all and completely underrated and underappreciated. The ballad "A Woman In Love" should have been a monstrous hit single for him along side the album's already acclaimed hit "Tired of Toein The Line".  

"Baby Tonight" is smoking rock n' roll song that sounds just as good today as it did 28 years ago and so does "You're So Easy To Love". Another song that deserved a much better fate. I know these songs are great because every time I play them while people are over or in my car they ask who it is and if I can give them a copy. That proves that Son Of Rock & Roll is a true gem that shines like a giant diamond in the sun, and its association with rockabilly should not deter you from giving it a go.

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my almost virgin vinyl and includes full album artwork and label scans.  Also included is a non-album B-Side single "Boogie Down In Mobile, Alabama" (thanks to Guitarzman) and a live rendition of his hit "Tired Of Toein' The Line" from his Solid Rock CD. I invite you to give the 'Rockman' a hearing, even if you are not familiar with his work or Rockabilly is not your scene.  You won't be disappointed.

Track Listing:

01 Tired Of Toein' The Line 3:41

02 Anywhere Your Body Goes 2:42

03 Fallin' In Love (Bein' Friends) 3:56

04 Angel In Chambray 3:16

05 Bertha Lou 2:52

06 Because Of You 3:14

07 The Boogie Man 3:36

08 Baby Tonight 3:12

09 You're So Easy To Love 2:21

10 A Woman In Love 2:47

11 Clowns From Outer Space 3:46

12 Roll Like A Wheel 4:05

13    Boogie Down In Mobile, Alabama (B-Side Single)  2:55

14 Tired Of Toein' The Line  (Live In Concert, 1980)  4:35

Artists:

Bass – Biff Dawes, Curtis Stone, Steve Deutsch, Bill House

Drums – Mike Porter, Rick Croy, Steve Turner

Percussion - Bill House, Jim Seiter

Guitar – Billy Burnette, Rocky Burnette, Billy Walker, Chris Brosius, John Hunt, Ron Coleman, Dave Edmunds, Bill House

Harmonica – Stanley "The Baron" Behrens

Horns – Dennis Dreith, Joe Romano, Mel Collins

Keyboards – John Hobbs, Randy Stern, Bill House

Lead Vocals – Rocky Burnette, The Son Of Rock And Roll

Background Vocals - Chris Brosius, Bill House, Billy Graham

Handclaps – Biff Dawes, Burt Berman, Charles Ward, Donna Meade, Mammaw Mae Burnette, Paul Ramsey

Rocky Burnette Link (279Mb) New Link 06/09/2024