Merv Benton - Cincinnati Fireball (1965)

Johnny Burnette - Cincinnati Fireball (1960)

(J. Leslie McFarland - Aaron Schroeder)
 USA
Original version

Single on Liberty, B-side of Dreamin’ (#11 USA). Same songwriting credit as Elvis’s Stuck On You. See label shot and other discographical details at Rockin’ Country Style. Also listed are earlier unreleased versions from 1960 by The Burnette Brothers and a 1960 stereo release of the single.

Johnny Burnette: Singer from Memphis (1934-1964) who formed the rockabilly Johnny Burnette Rock’n’Roll Trio in the wake of Elvis’s success recording with a trio at Sun Records.

Johnny Burnette and his brother Dorsey (1932-1979), also a member of the Trio, later wrote songs at Imperial Records, notably for Ricky Nelson (see Gypsy Woman).

At Liberty Records Johnny recorded a number of solo pop hits in the early 60s with producer ‘Snuff’ Garrett, including Dreamin, Little Boy Sad and You’re Sixteen. At the same time, Dorsey established a solo career ([There Was A] Tall Oak Tree, Big Rock Candy Mountain).

Johnny Burnette’s son Rocky had a hit in 1980 with Tired Of Toein’ The Line.

Reference: Phil Hardy & Dave Laing, Encyclopedia of Rock Vol. 1: The Age Of Rock’n’Roll, (1975). See also the Burnette House website, covering the musical careers of all the Burnettes.

Thanks to Peter Letheby for correction.