James Burton
Biography
James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana) is an American guitarist. 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 19 in Rolling Stone list of 100 Greatest Guitarists. 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.
Known For
Classic Albums
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
Elvis on Tour
Elvis: That's the Way It Is
Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
Heart Like a Wheel
Carnival Rock
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010
All Movies (23)
- EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert2026 · as Self (archive footage)
- Elvis: A Life in Music2026 · as Self (archive footage)
- Elvis Presley: Meet Me In Memphis2022 · as lead guitar
- Classic Albums: The Chirping Crickets2019 · as Self
- Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 302017 · as Self
- Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 20102010 · as Self
- Elvis In Concert Remastered2009 · as Self - lead guitar (uncredited)
- Elvis: #1 Hit Performances2007 · as Self (archive footage)
- Elvis: The King of Rock 'n' Roll2007 · as Self (archive footage)
- Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert2006 · as Self
- Revolution #92002 · as Therapist Fuller
- Elvis: The Ultimate Live Collection2002 · as self
- Elvis: The Lost Performances1992 · as Self (archive footage)
- Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night1988 · as Self - Guitar
- Red Shoes In the Land of the Midnight Sun: Elvis Costello & The Confederates Live in Tokyo1987 · as Self - Performer
- Heart Like a Wheel1983 · as Guitar Player, Tex's Band
- Elvis in Concert1977 · as Self - lead guitar (uncredited)
- Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii1973 · as Self - Guitar
- Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Rehearsal Concert1973 · as Self - lead guitar
- Elvis on Tour1972 · as Self - Guitar
- Elvis Live at Madison Square Garden1972 · as Self - Lead Guitar
- Elvis: That's the Way It Is1970 · as Self - Musician
- Carnival Rock1957 · as Guitar Player (uncredited)
All TV Shows (1)
- Classic Albums1997 · as Self