James Burton

Burton was born in Dubberly in south Webster Parish near Minden, Louisiana, to Guy M. Burton (1909–2001) and the former Lola Poland (1914–2011), a native of rural Fryeburg in Bienville Parish.

She was the daughter of James and Althius Poland.

Burton's wife is Louise Burton.

Self-taught, Burton began playing guitar during childhood.

He was hired to be part of the staff band for the popular Louisiana Hayride radio show in Shreveport.

While he was still a teenager, Burton left Shreveport for Los Angeles, where he joined Ricky Nelson's band.

There, he made numerous recordings as a session musician.

James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana ) is an American guitarist.

Since the 1950s, Burton has recorded and performed with an array of singers, including Bob Luman, Dale Hawkins, Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley (and was leader of Presley's TCB Band), The Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, John Denver, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Judy Collins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Claude King, Elvis Costello, Joe Osborn, Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell, Hoyt Axton, Townes van Zandt, Steve Young, Vince Gill, and Suzi Quatro.

Burton created and played the guitar solo on Dale Hawkins 1957 hit song "Susie Q", a record that would become one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Burton played guitar on the majority of Rick Nelson's songs recorded during the first 11 years of Nelson's career, beginning with his premiere at Master Recorders in Hollywood on November 18, 1957, for the classic "Stood Up"/"Waitin' in School" rockabilly single (Burton was relegated to rhythm as Joe Maphis was still playing lead guitar at the time).

In 1965 he started working on the television program Shindig! which curtailed his touring with Nelson.

In 1967 Burton played Dobro on the Richie Furay song, "A Child's Claim To Fame" on Buffalo Springfield's second album, Buffalo Springfield Again.

However, Burton continued contributing to his friend's studio albums through the Perspective sessions in April 1968.

The Shindig! exposure led to recording session work with a variety of artists, mostly as an unattributed sideman.

Due to the volume of work, Burton turned down an offer to join Bob Dylan's first touring band, and another offer to play on Elvis Presley's 1968 comeback TV special Elvis.

In 1969, Presley again asked Burton to join his show in Las Vegas, and, this time, Burton accepted.

Burton organized the TCB Band, serving as its leader, and backed Presley from 1969 until Presley's death in 1977.

A hallmark of Elvis' live shows during this period was his exhortation, "Play it, James," as a cue for the guitarist's solos.

For the first season in Vegas in 1969, Burton played his red standard Telecaster.

Shortly thereafter, he purchased the now familiar pink paisley custom Telecaster.

Burton was not sure that Elvis would like it; however, since Elvis did, Burton used it for every show.

While touring with Denver, Burton carried several instruments, including backup Dobros and a spare 1969 Pink Paisley Fender Telecaster he had used as a touring guitarist with Elvis Presley during the 1970s.

During 1975 and 1976, while still touring with Presley, Burton was one of the first members to join and tour with Emmylou Harris as part of her backing band, the "Hot Band", after the death of Gram Parsons.

He was joined by a cast of talented musicians which included his bandmate with Presley, Glen D. Hardin, and newer musicians which included Rodney Crowell.

However, once Presley was ready to return to the road, Burton returned to perform with him, although the others, including Hardin, elected to continue with Harris.

Just before Presley died in 1977, Burton was called to play on a John Denver television special.

During the taping, Denver asked if Burton would consider going on a European tour.

Burton said he was working with Elvis, but if scheduling permitted, he would be glad to go.

Shortly after Elvis' death, Burton began a regular collaboration with Denver.

The first album they recorded was I Want to Live.

During the sessions, Burton and Denver talked about a band.

Glen Hardin and Jerry Scheff, from Presley's band, joined the new band too.

Burton remained a member of Denver's band until 1994, but often toured in parallel with other artists including Jerry Lee Lewis.

In the 16 years Burton worked with Denver, they recorded 12 albums and toured around the world.

He rejoined Denver in 1995 for the Wildlife Concert.

Since 1998, Burton has played lead guitar in Elvis: The Concert which reunited some of Elvis' former TCB bandmates, background singers and Elvis' orchestral conductor Joe Guercio (mostly from the "concert years" 1969–1977) live on stage.

A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 (his induction speech was given by longtime fan Keith Richards), Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

Critic Mark Deming writes that "Burton has a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest guitar pickers in either country or rock ... Burton is one of the best guitar players to ever touch a fretboard."

He is ranked number 24 in Rolling Stone list of 250 greatest guitarists of all time.