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Born in Minden, Louisiana, on August 21, 1939, James Burton began playing guitar at the age of thirteen, and turned professional the following year. His first recorded track was the Dale Hawkins hit, "Susie Q", in 1957. His dynamic rockabilly style of playing brought him to the attention of television star-turned-singer Ricky Nelson, who hired Burton as his regular band member. Apart from this high profile exposure on all of Nelson's hit records, James Burton became one of the most in-demand Los Angeles session guitarists during the 1960s, playing on recordings by artists, ranging from Frank Sinatra to The Monkees, as well as regularly appearing on the popular music show, Shindig! (1964).
It was at the end of the decade that Elvis Presley, recently returned to live performing, was in the process of putting together a band for his Las Vegas shows. Elvis knew a remarkable talent when he heard one, and hired James Burton as lead guitarist of his band. This lasted until Presley's death in 1977, and James Burton can be seen appearing with Elvis in the movies, Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970), Elvis on Tour (1972) and the television satellite-broadcasted, Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (1973).
James Burton has, since then, worked with many other artists, and is regarded, amongst guitar players, as a legendary figure whose skill and technique has always been balanced by his consummate restraint and good taste.
