James Burton

James Burton
Burton in 2010
Burton in 2010
Background information
Birth nameJames Edward Burton
Born (1939-08-21) August 21, 1939 (age 85)[1]
Dubberly, Louisiana, United States
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Guitar, dobro
Years active1952–present
Websitejames-burton.net

James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana, United States)[1] is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001[2] (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. He was elected into the Country 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, including Bob Luman, Dale Hawkins, Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley (and was leader of Presley's TCB 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, and Suzi Quatro.

  1. ^ a b "Biography - The Official James Burton Website". James-burton.net. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  2. ^ "James Burton: inducted in 2001 | The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum". Rockhall.com. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  3. ^ Willman, Chris (March 18, 2024). "Toby Keith Elected Into Country Music Hall of Fame, in Voting That Wrapped Up Days Before His Death". Variety.
  4. ^ The Guitar Sounds of James Burton, Allmusic.com. Retrieved March 9, 2007.
  5. ^ "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  6. ^ [1][permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Our Mother the Mountain – Townes Van Zandt | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 11, 2015.