Johnny Burke (April 28, 1940 – August 21, 2017) was a Canadian country singer who recorded a series of singles with Acclaim Records in the 1980s.[1][2] He released his debut single in 1966, and his 1967 single "I Can't Even Do Wrong Right" reached number-one on the RPM Country Tracks chart.
Johnny Burke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jean Paul Bourque |
| Born | April 28, 1940 Rosaireville, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Died | September 21, 2017 (aged 77) Cobourg, Ontario |
| Genres | Country |
| Spouse | Teresa Burke |
Life and career
editBurke was born Jean Paul Bourque on April 28, 1940,[3] in Rosaireville, New Brunswick. His family was Francophone and of Acadian descent,[4] and he had 12 siblings.[5] In the early 1960s, Burke moved to Toronto,[6] where he began his music career,[7] under the name Johnny Burke.[5] In 1966, Burke released his debut and second single with Columbia Records.[8] The following year, he released two more singles with Columbia, including "I Can't Even Do Wrong Right," which hit number-one on the RPM Country Tracks chart.[9][10] Burke hosted At The Caribou, a syndicated show, along with the Caribou Showband, which he established in 1967.[11] and later renamed to Eastwind in 1972.[12] Burke recorded two 1970 singles "Whiskey For Breakfast" and "Kingdom Of My Mind" with the label Caribou Records.[4] "Kingdom Of My Mind" peaked at #40 on the RPM Country Tracks chart.[13]
In 2005, Burke was inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame.[5] In 2012, Burke was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.[14]
On the evening of September 21, 2017, Burke died from esophageal cancer at the age of 77.[6][15]
References
edit- ^ Billboard – 27 April 1974 Johnny Burke, Most Promising Country Singer ...
- ^ Country Song Roundup – Issues 101–103 – Page 31 1967 "Made up of stars in their own right, the band includes Johnny Burke on bass (Most promising new artist, R.P.M. Poll 1967), Roy Penny, lead guitar (Best instrumentalist, R.P.M. Poll 1965–66, 66–67), Bunty Petrie on drums, fiddle and rhythm ..."
- ^ "Johnny Burke - Biography". 45cat.com. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ a b Delaney, Larry (31 March 2020). "Ontario's Country Music Pioneers: Johnny Burke". CMA Ontario. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "N.B. Country Music Hall of Fame 2005 inductees announced". Telegraph-Journal. 18 August 2005. ProQuest 423222016. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ a b Silcox, Ben (24 September 2017). "Johnny Burke, Canada's 'hidden gem' of country music, dies". CBC News. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Obituary for Johnny "Jean Paul Bourque" Burke". www.quintecremationservices.com. Quinte Cremation and Burial Services. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Memories of Knight, Carter". Telegraph-Journal. 19 May 2011. ProQuest 867465441. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Johnny Burke - Discography". 45cat.com. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "RPM Country Chart". RPM. 10 June 1967. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Hoover, Doreen (16 November 2005). "Dunnville is going a little country: [Final Edition]". Dunnville Chronicle. ProQuest 358202224. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Caribou Showband". Rock My World Canada. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "RPM Weekly". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Library and Archives Canada. 1 August 1970. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame(TM) Honours 2012 Inductees Johnny Burke and Ralph Murphy". CCMA. Canada Newswire. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Country's Canadian "hidden gem", Johnny Burke, dies". maverick-country.com. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
