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James Burton

Acting Born Aug 21, 1939 Dubberly, Louisiana, USA 24 credits

Biography

James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana) is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 (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. 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." He is ranked number 19 in Rolling Stone list of 100 Greatest Guitarists.

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, 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, Steve Young, Vince Gill, and Suzi Quatro.

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Known for

Classic Albums

as Self
Film

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

as Self (archive footage)
Film

Elvis on Tour

as Self - Guitar

Pepper Chocolate

as Self - Guitar

Full filmography

  • Classic Albums (1997) as Self
  • EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (2026) as Self (archive footage)
  • Elvis on Tour (1972) as Self - Guitar
  • Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night (1988) as Self - Guitar
  • Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970) as Self - Musician
  • Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii (1973) as Self - Guitar
  • Heart Like a Wheel (1983) as Guitar Player, Tex's Band
  • Revolution #9 (2002) as Therapist Fuller
  • Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30 (2017) as Self
  • Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 (2010) as Self
  • Elvis: A Life in Music (2026) as Self (archive footage)
  • Carnival Rock (1957) as Guitar Player (uncredited)
  • Elvis: The King of Rock 'n' Roll (2007) as Self (archive footage)
  • Elvis: #1 Hit Performances (2007) as Self (archive footage)
  • Elvis: The Ultimate Live Collection (2002) as self
  • Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert (2006) as Self
  • Elvis in Concert (1977) as Self - lead guitar (uncredited)
  • Classic Albums: The Chirping Crickets (2019) as Self
  • Elvis: The Lost Performances (1992) as Self (archive footage)
  • Elvis Live at Madison Square Garden (1972) as Self - Lead Guitar
  • Elvis Presley: Meet Me In Memphis (2022) as lead guitar
  • Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Rehearsal Concert (1973) as Self - lead guitar
  • Elvis In Concert Remastered (2009) as Self - lead guitar (uncredited)
  • Red Shoes In the Land of the Midnight Sun: Elvis Costello & The Confederates Live in Tokyo (1987) as Self - Performer