Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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BURTON, James

(b 21 Aug. '39, Shreveport LA) Guitarist; with Steve Cropper and Roy Buchanan, one of the quietly influential stylists in popular music since late '50s. Served apprenticeship on Louisiana Hayride country radio show, backing Slim Whitman, George Jones etc before first major work on disc: heavy inventive solo on 'Suzie Q', Dale Hawkins hit on Checker '57, was an early calling card. After short spell backing Bob Luman he went with teen idol Ricky Nelson; Burton's Sun-style picking, with shades of Carl Perkins and Scotty Moore, was much in evidence on Nelson's hits such as 'Believe What You Say' and 'Bucket's Got A Hole In It'. He helped Nelson graduate to mellower country-rock style, then Burton graduated: left Nelson mid-'60s (though tracks continued to surface until Another Side Of Rick '68), selected to form band to back Elvis Presley on his comeback to live performance '69; stayed with him until his death, though sessioning the while. Appeared on at least three Hoyt Axton albums, others with Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, Buffalo Springfield, Judy Collins, countless others. Backed country- rock pioneer Gram Parsons on GP '73, Grievous Angel '74; continued with Parson's sweetheart Emmylou Harris after his death as a member of her Hot Band, cementing a reputation with a whole new generation of fans, touring with Harris when Presley's engagements allowed, playing stunning yet supremely tasteful solos such as that on 'Till I Gain Control Again' (Elite Hotel '76). Worked extensively with John Denver, following tradition of loyalty to an artist over several albums. Like Cropper and Buchanan, Burton is identified with the thin, cutting tone of the Fender Telecaster (though his collection, stored in safe deposit under guard, numbers 200+ instruments). He made only two solo albums: Corn Pickin' And Slick Slidin' in '60s and The Guitar Sounds Of James Burton on A&M in '71, when Presley was indisposed. Despite his low- key image his fame is assured.