James Burton's life began on August 21, 1939, in Minden, Louisiana, a date that would mark the start of a remarkable journey for the renowned guitarist. At the tender age of thirteen, Burton's fingers first touched the frets of his guitar, and by the following year, he had already turned professional. The year 1957 would prove to be a pivotal one, as it was then that Burton laid down his first recorded track, the Dale Hawkins hit single "Susie Q". This initial foray into the music world was merely the beginning of a long and illustrious career, one that would see Burton's dynamic rockabilly style bring him to the attention of none other than television star-turned-singer Ricky Nelson.
Nelson, impressed by Burton's unique talent, would go on to hire him as a regular band member, and Burton's contributions to Nelson's hit records would cement his reputation as a master guitarist. But Burton's services were in high demand, and he would soon find himself in the midst of the vibrant Los Angeles music scene, playing alongside some of the biggest names in the business. Frank Sinatra, The Monkees, and many others would all benefit from Burton's remarkable skills, and his appearances on the popular music show Shindig! (1964) would further solidify his status as a guitar virtuoso.
As the decade drew to a close, James Burton's services were sought after by none other than the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself, Elvis Presley. Presley, having recently returned to live performing, was in the process of assembling a band for his Las Vegas shows, and he knew a remarkable talent when he heard one. Burton would go on to join Presley's band, a position he would hold until the King's untimely passing in 1977. During his time with Presley, Burton would appear in several of the King's films, including Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970),Elvis on Tour (1972),and the television satellite-broadcasted Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (1973).
Since Presley's passing, James Burton has continued to work with a wide range of artists, earning himself a reputation as a legendary figure among guitar players. His unique blend of skill, technique, and restraint has always been tempered by a keen sense of taste, making him a highly sought-after musician.
