James Burton | |
|---|---|
 Burton in 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Edward Burton |
| Born | (1939-08-21)August 21, 1939 (age 85)[1] Dubberly, Louisiana, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar,dobro |
| Years active | 1952–present |
| Website | james-burton |
James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, inDubberly, Louisiana, United States)[1] is an American guitarist. A member of theRock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001[2] (his induction speech was given by longtime fanKeith Richards), Burton has also been recognized by theRockabilly Hall of Fame and theMusicians Hall of Fame and Museum. He waselected into theCountry Music Hall of Fame in 2024.[3] 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."[4] He is ranked number 24 in Rolling Stone list of 250 greatest guitarists of all time.[5]
Since the 1950s, Burton has recorded and performed with an array of singers, includingBob Luman,Dale Hawkins,Ricky Nelson,Elvis Presley (and was leader of Presley'sTCB Band),The Everly Brothers,[6]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,[7]Steve Young,Vince Gill, andSuzi Quatro.
Burton was born in Dubberly in southWebster Parish nearMinden, Louisiana, to Guy M. Burton (1909–2001) and the former Lola Poland (1914–2011), a native of rural Fryeburg inBienville Parish. She was the daughter of James and Althius Poland. Burton's wife is Louise Burton.[8]
Self-taught, Burton began playing guitar during childhood. He was hired to be part of the staff band for the popularLouisiana Hayride radio show in Shreveport. While he was still a teenager, Burton left Shreveport forLos Angeles, where he joinedRicky Nelson's band. There, he made numerous recordings as asession musician. Burton created and played the guitar riff onDale Hawkins 1957 hit song "Susie Q", a record that would become one ofthe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.[9] He had originally written the song as an instrumental before Hawkins wrote lyrics for it; Burton never received credit or royalties for his contributions to "Susie Q".[10]
Burton played guitar on the majority ofRicky 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. At this time, Burton was relegated to rhythm asJoe Maphis was still playing lead guitar for Nelson.[10] Ricky Nelson's original (regular) band included Burton anddouble bassist James Kirkland; Kirkland was later replaced byJoe Osborn onelectric bass.
Burton's first single as Nelson'slead guitarist was "Believe What You Say".[11] In 1965 he started working on the television programShindig! which curtailed his touring with Nelson.[10] However, Burton continued contributing to his friend's studio albums through thePerspective sessions in April 1968.[12]
TheShindig! exposure led to recording session work with a variety of artists, mostly as an unattributed sideman. In 1966, he began focusing more on his work as a session guitarist.[1]
In 1967 Burton played Dobro on theRichie Furay song, "A Child's Claim To Fame" onBuffalo Springfield's second album,Buffalo Springfield Again. Due to the volume of work, Burton turned down an offer to joinBob Dylan's first touring band, and another offer to play on Elvis Presley's 1968 comeback TV specialElvis.[11]
In 1969, Presley again asked Burton to join his show in Las Vegas, and, this time, Burton accepted. Burton organized theTCB 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.[13] 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 working with Elvis Presley, he also recorded a solo album,The Guitar Sounds of James Burton, in 1971.[10]
During 1975 and 1976, while still touring with Presley, Burton was one of the first members to join and tour withEmmylou Harris as part of her backing band, the "Hot Band", after the death ofGram Parsons. He was joined by a cast of talented musicians which included his bandmate with Presley,Glen D. Hardin, and newer musicians which includedRodney 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 aJohn 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 wasI Want to Live.
During the sessions, Burton and Denver talked about a band. Glen Hardin andJerry 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 includingJerry Lee Lewis. In the 16 years Burton worked with Denver, they recorded 12 albums and toured around the world. While touring with Denver, Burton carried several instruments, including backupDobros and a spare 1969 Pink PaisleyFender Telecaster he had used as a touring guitarist withElvis Presley during the 1970s.[14] He rejoined Denver in 1995 for the Wildlife Concert. When Denver died in 1997, Burton spoke at his memorial service in Aspen, Colorado.[11]
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Burton's later career included work withJohn Denver,[15]Merle Haggard,[15]Rodney Crowell, andEmmylou Harris.[15] Beginning withKing of America (1986), Burton recorded[15] and toured withElvis Costello intermittently for about a decade. In 1988, he was a prominent part of the acclaimedCinemax special,Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night.[16] In 1990, Burton moved back to his hometown of Shreveport permanently.
Between 1998 and 2013, Burton played lead guitar inElvis: 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.
In fall 2004, Burton recordedMatt Lucas-Back in the Saddle Again, a sequel to the Matt Lucas albumThe Chicago Sessions. The album features rockabilly and country music, and was released in May 2006 by Ten O Nine Records.
In 2005, Burton started the annual James Burton International Guitar Festival to raise money for his charitable foundation. The festival is held in the Red River District of Shreveport.[17]
In 2007, he was inducted into theMusicians Hall of Fame and Museum inNashville, TN as a member of the L.A. session player group known asThe Wrecking Crew.[18] In 2008, Burton was asked byBrad Paisley to play on his upcoming albumPlay: The Guitar Album. Burton was featured on an instrumental track called "Cluster Pluck", which also featuredVince Gill,Albert Lee,Steve Wariner,John Jorgenson,Brent Mason, andRedd Volkaert. At the51st Grammy Awards in 2009, the song won Best Country Instrumental Performance.[15]
On August 22, 2009, on stage at his James Burton International Guitar Festival, James Burton was inducted into TheLouisiana Music Hall of Fame.[19] On July 15, 2010,Rolling Stone Magazine announced that Eric Clapton and James Burton would provide guitars on the track "You Can Have Her" for Jerry Lee Lewis' albumMean Old Man, scheduled for release in fall 2010. Burton also joined Jerry Lee Lewis on "Swinging Doors" on the same album.[20][21] In 2011, Burton was named one of "Five Living Legends of Shreveport" by Danny Fox ofKWKH radio.[22] On June 9, 2012, Burton appeared in Shreveport at the Municipal Auditorium for a presentation ofGarrison Keillor'sPrairie Home Companion.[23]
In 2019, for the first time since 2014, the TCB Band performed a new Elvis: The Concert-style show, alongside theRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra, combining elements from the 2016-2018 Presley/Philharmonic tours with the old 1997-2014 TCB Band tours;[24] however, no further tours with the TCB Band members were booked after this point.
In March 2020, it was announced that Burton and producerT-Bone Burnett were collaborating withJerry Lee Lewis and recording a new album of gospel covers. It was the first time he entered a recording studio following his stroke.[25][26] As of 2023[update], it is unknown how much progress was made with this gospel album, or if it was ever completed, as nothing from these sessions has been released; Lewis later recorded another gospel album with his cousin Jimmy Swaggart that was unrelated to the 2020 project with Burnett and Burton.
In 2022 and early 2023, Burton was sidelined due to contracting thecoronavirus, being diagnosed with kidney cancer, and breaking his hip.[27] In June 2023, Burton led an all-star group of guest musicians at theLondon Palladium for a concert event named "James Burton & Friends: One Night Only". The event featured Burton joined by SirBrian May ofQueen,Albert Lee,Van Morrison,Jeff "Skunk" Baxter,Ronnie Wood, and Elvis Costello.[28][27] In September 2023, Burton contributed to recordings for Brad Paisley's upcoming albumSon of the Mountains.[29]
In January 2024, Burton participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, riding on a Louisiana-themed float.[30] Also in 2024, Burton wasinducted into theCountry Music Hall of Fame.[31][15]
Burton works with a variety of amplifiers to provide flexibility and a wide range of sounds.[14] He has used a Music Man 210-150, an old Fender Twin with K model Lansing speakers, and a 1964 Fender Deluxe. His primary guitar has always been aFender Telecaster, beginning with an early blonde model his parents bought for him around 1952.[32] His 1969 Paisley Red (better known as Pink Paisley) Telecaster became the basis for hisJames Burton Telecaster model in 1991, withLace Sensor pickups and a TBX tone circuit.[33] Five years later his 1953 Candy Apple Red Telecaster was the inspiration for a standard version Artist Signature model featuring two Fender Texas Special Telesingle coilpickups and a vintage-style 6-saddlebridge. In 2006, the Signature Paisley model was redesigned with a red paisley flame design over a black body, plus three specially designed blade pickups, a no-load tone control and S-1 switching system.[34]
He can also be seen playing am early model Fender Jazz Master (possibly a prototype) in a circa 1961 live television version of "Hello Mary Lou" with Nelson. There is no other recorded evidence that he used this guitar again.[35]
According to the biography on Burton's official website, his style of lead playing is unique, as "[he] uses a straight pick and a fingerpick on his middle finger. On this record [starting with his performance on Nelson's "Believe What You Say"], James replaced his first 4 strings with banjo strings and moved the A and D string up to D and E. This allowed him to bend the strings up a lot more. James' legendary chickin' pickin' was born. He later had them [his guitar strings] gauged: .009, .010, .012, .024, .032 and .038."[1]
The James Burton Foundation, a501(c)non-profit organization at 714 Elvis Presley Avenue in Shreveport, is constructing the proposed "James Burton Guitar and Car Museum". The facility will showcase Burton's collection of guitars and classic cars as well as models from some of his celebrity friends.[36]
WithHoyt Axton
WithThe Beach Boys
WithThe Byrds
WithJ. J. Cale
WithGlen Campbell
WithShawn Camp
WithKim Carnes
WithCarlene Carter
WithJohnny Cash
WithRosanne Cash
WithDavid Cassidy
WithMark Collie
WithJudy Collins
WithElvis Costello
WithRodney Crowell
WithDelaney & Bonnie
WithJohn Denver
WithCass Elliot
WithPhil Everly
WithBobbie Gentry
WithArlo Guthrie
WithHager Twins
WithEmmylou Harris
WithEmmylou Harris andRodney Crowell
WithDale Hawkins
WithRonnie Hawkins
WithChris Hillman
WithJan & Dean
WithSammy Johns
WithNicolette Larson
WithJim Lauderdale
WithDrake Milligan
WithRonnie Milsap
WithJoni Mitchell
WithThe Monkees
WithMichael Nesmith
WithRandy Newman
WithHarry Nilsson
WithTom Pacheco
WithBrad Paisley
WithGram Parsons
WithMichael Parks
WithJohn Phillips
WithElvis Presley
WithJohnny Rivers
WithKenny Rogers
WithEvie Sands
WithBilly Joe Shaver
WithFrank Sinatra
WithNancy Sinatra
WithTom Snow
WithThe Tractors
WithTina Turner
WithTownes Van Zandt
WithSammy Walker
WithGillian Welch
