1) Albert Austin "Sonny" … Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists named Sonny Burgess:
1) Albert Austin "Sonny" Burgess (May 28, 1931 – August 18, 2017) was an American rockabilly guitarist and singer.
In the early 1950s, Burgess played boogie woogie music in dance halls and bars around Newport. Burgess, Kern Kennedy, Johnny Ray Hubbard, and Gerald Jackson formed a boogie-woogie band they called the Rocky Road Ramblers. In 1954, following a stint in the US Army (1951–53), Burgess re-formed the band, calling them the Moonlighters after the Silver Moon Club in Newport, where they performed regularly. After advice from record producer Sam Phillips, the group expanded to form the Pacers.
The band's first record was "We Wanna Boogie" in 1956 for Sun Records, in Memphis, about 80 miles southeast of his birthplace. The flip side was "Red Headed Woman." Both were written by Burgess. The songs have been described as "among the most raucous, energy-filled recordings released during the first flowering of rock and roll." Their onstage antics in performance were similarly described. Like other artists such as Ray Harris, Hayden Thompson, Billy Lee Riley and Warren Smith, chart success largely eluded him.
Burgess disbanded the group in 1971 but later found a new audience in Europe.
In 1990 (possibly before and afterward), Burgess toured with The Sun Rhythm Section. This group was composed of former session musicians from the Sun Recording Studio. Beside Burgess, band members included Paul Burlison (electric guitar), J.L. "Smoochy" Smith (piano), Stan Kessler (bass), Marcus Van Story (acoustic guitar & lead vocals), and D.J. Fontana on drums. Fontana was a member of Elvis Presley's band (1955-1968).
Burgess was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of Europe in 1999. His group, now called The Legendary Pacers, was a hit that same year in a rockabilly concert in Las Vegas, Nevada. It recorded Still Rockin’ and Rollin’ in 2000, voted the best new album in the country and roots field in Europe. The group was inducted in 2002 into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Sonny Burgess & The Legendary Pacers performed at the 2006 National Folk Festival in Richmond, Virginia to large, enthusiastic audiences.
Burgess hosted a weekly radio program called We Wanna Boogie with co-host June Taylor. The program, named after his first record, aired Sunday nights from 5-7pm Central Time on 91.9FM KASU in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Burgess was born on a farm near Newport, Arkansas to Albert and Esta Burgess. He graduated from Newport High School in 1948. Burgess had two brothers, and three sisters. Burgess was formerly married to Joann Adams starting in 1956, and they have two sons, Peyton and John. Between performances, Burgess lived in Newport until his death in 2017. Burgess died on August 18, 2017 at the age of 86.
2) Sonny Burgess is a country music artist, who released his debut album, When in Texas, in 2001.
What'cha Gonna Do
Sonny Burgess Lyrics
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and i'm going home let the motor roll. spend the rest of my life right there with my wife. i aint rollin no more. that's (old and gone?)
chorus. no no i ain't gonna do it (repeat) i ain't rollin no more with that rollin (joe)
"yeah! let em roll!"
(repeat above)
The lyrics of Sonny Burgess's song What'cha Gonna Do depict a man who is tired of constantly being on the go and wants to settle down with his wife. He has had enough of the constant motion, and just wants to go home and spend the rest of his life with his loved one. He makes it clear that he has had his fill of the road and will not be "rollin" anymore. He seems to be content with his decision and is resolute in his desire to lead a simpler life.
The chorus of the song serves as a repeated affirmation of his decision to stick to his plan and not be swayed by the lure of the road. He refuses to be tempted by the lifestyle that he used to lead and makes it clear that he is done with that way of life for good. The reference to "Rollin Joe" is likely a nod to an acquaintance or another person who is still living the life that he has left behind.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the joys of settling down and abandoning the constant pursuit of adventure and excitement. The singer has found contentment in a simpler life and has decided to stick to it, no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
and i'm going home let the motor roll. spend rest my life right there with my wife. i aint rollin no more. thats all (?)
I am heading home and enjoying the ride. I plan on spending the rest of my life with my wife and not traveling anymore.
chorus. no no i ain't gonna do it (repeat) i ain't rollin no more with that rollin (joe)
I refuse to do it and I will not travel with Rollin Joe anymore.
"yeah! let em roll!"
(repeat above)
Encouraging the wheels to keep turning and repeating the phrase.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, PEARL KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind