(1932 – 2018)

Ed Burks left his earthly existence to play that gig in the sky on November 10, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. Edwin Leo Burks, Jr. was born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 21, 1932 to Edwin Leo Burks, Sr. and Mary Katherine (Clark) Burks and grew up in West Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas. Ed played live music on KFFA Radio in Helena starting in the 1940s and later worked there as a radio announcer. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War and then attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he formed the band The Tee Cups. Burks was an early member of the band Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks and performed with them on many occasions, including their 1959 American Bandstand appearance. He traveled nationally and internationally, performing solo and with bands over the course of his musical career. Ed was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2003. Music was Ed’s life up to his last breath. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sarah “Miffie” Clem. Left to remember Ed are his sister Martha “Marty” Paynter (Jim) of Roanoake, VA, his son Daron Burks of St. Louis, his former wife Linda (Baker) Burks of St. Louis, and numerous cousins, friends and fans. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staffs of Charter Senior living and Heartland Hospice for their caring and support. A gathering to celebrate Ed’s life will be held at a later date.