Stories Behind the Music: Good Enough For A Beatle

Johnny Burnette was a rockabilly artist hailing from Memphis. He was one of the first of that now legendary rockabilly breed  and he was often compared to Elvis. In fact, both Burnette brothers had a lot in common with Elvis -- they went to high school together and they worked at the same factory. Elvis and the Burnette brothers were friends, all raised on country music. In the early years, Elvis even made a live appearance with the Johnny Burnette Trio.

Johnny Burnette was involved in over 20 songs released between 1956 and 1961. Some historians consider his finest moment a 1956 release called Tear it Up. That may be the case, but there is another song he recorded that you are more likely to recognize.

1n 1960 he released I Beg Your Pardon. You may not know that, but you probably know the flip side. The fact is, radio liked the B side better and You're Sixteen went all the way to #8 on the charts.  

If this sound is familiar to you, there is a reason for that. Johnny Burnette was a pioneer of rock n' roll and his greatest admirers included some of the now icons of rock music. You probably remember this cover version of You're Sixteen a whole lot better than the original.

Ringo Starr rode this song to #1 in 1974. The song had not been written by Burnette, but it was his version that Ringo had grown-up with. Covering that song, 14 years later and 10 years after Burnette's passing, was a nice tribute by a Beatle to the late Johnny Burnette.

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Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections