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.

Related Topics:
August 21 - 1939 - Minden, Louisiana - American - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Shreveport, Louisiana

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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.

Related Topics:
Louisiana Hayride - Telecaster player - Dale Hawkins - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll

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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.

Related Topics:
Rick Nelson - Bob Dylan - Shindig

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James Burton was also a guitarist and the band leader of Elvis Presley's "TCB Band" from 1969 until Presley's death in 1977. 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.

Related Topics:
Elvis Presley's - Merle Haggard - Emmylou Harris - Cinemax - Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night

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In 2001, James Burton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his induction speech given by fan, Keith Richards.

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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.

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