Musicians - James Burton

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	Musicians - James Burton

James Burton (born August 21, 1939 in Minden, Louisiana) is a legendary American guitarist and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, with his family in 1949.

A natural guitarist without professional training, Burton started playing seriously by the time he was thirteen years old and a year later was hired to be part of the staff band for the enormously popular Louisiana Hayride radio show in Shreveport. A Telecaster player, while still only fifteen, Burton played on Dale Hawkins 1957 hit song "Suzie Q," a record that would become one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Burton has played for numerous important musicians including early work with Rick Nelson between 1958 and 1965 after which Bob Dylan reportedly wanted to hire him for his first touring band, but Burton was under contract to the television program Shindig.

James Burton was also a guitarist and the band leader of Elvis Presley's "TCB Band" from 1969 until Presley's death in 1977. A hallmark of Elvis' live shows was when he would turn to James as particular songs reached their bridges and say, "Play it, James," and Burton would begin his masterful lead guitar solos. Burton's later career included landmark work with Merle Haggard and Emmylou Harris, among others. In 1988, he was a prominent part of the acclaimed Cinemax special, Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night.

In 2001, James Burton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his induction speech given by fan, Keith Richards. His pioneering contribution to the genre has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Burton left Shreveport for Los Angeles, California while in his teens after joining Ricky Nelson's band. He moved back to Shreveport permanently in 1990.

From 1998-2005, Burton played lead guitar in * which reunited some of Elvis' former TCB bandmates, background singers and Elvis' orchestral conductor (mostly from the "concert years" 1969-1977)live on stage with a state of the art video-projected Elvis. The historic show was critically acclaimed throughout the world. As of this writing, no new dates are set.

Burton formed the * and he also has his own official website simply called *.

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Musicians - James Burton

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