Elvis and James Burton
“Play it James”
Guitarist James Burton worked with Elvis Presley throughout the 1970s, he is also a prolific session musician – Elvis and James Burton.
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Elvis and James Burton
“Play it James“
James Burton was born in Dubberly, Louisiana on 21 August 1939. He started playing guitar professionally when he was just 14 years old. His chickin’ pickin’ style mixed country, blues and R&B styles. It also made use of banjo strings and two guitar picks.
When he was 14 years old, he joined the house band at the Louisiana Hayride and stayed there for about a year.
After that, he worked with Dale Hawkins. On 1 July 1957 Hawkins’ single Susie-Q entered the Billboard Top-40, peaking at #27. Dale Hawkins wrote the song but an uncredited James Burton played on the track and wrote the guitar lick.
Around 1958 James Burton joined Rick Nelson’s backing band and continued with him until 1967. During this time he also appeared in the family TV show, The Ozzie & Harriet Show.
In 1963 he released a single as “Jimmy Dobro”, Swamp Server c/w Everybody Listens to the Dobro. Burton co-wrote Swamp Sever with Marty Cooper. He had recently developed an interest in the dobro. One of his first outings on the instrument was on Glen Campbell’s album Big Bluegrass Special.
Yet another regular TV appearance came in the mid-1960s, when he formed the house band, The Shindogs, for the TV music show Shindig.
As well as playing in various bands, James Burton was a much sought-after session musician. In fact, he was a member of one of the most famous groups of session musicians, The Wrecking Crew. Phil Spector famously used the Wrecking Crew as his house band.
The Monkees released their debut album, The Monkees, in America on 10 October 1966. James Burton and another famed Wrecking Crew member, drummer Hal Blaine, played on the Mike Nesmith penned track Papa Gene’s Blues.
Elvis asks James Burton to form a backing band for him
By the end of 1969 Elvis Presley’s career as a Hollywood star reached the end of the road. His thirty-first and last movie as an actor, Change of Habit opened in America on 10 November 1969. Shortly before this, Elvis asked Burton to play guitar and to put together a backing band for his upcoming Las Vegas residency. James Burton subsequently stayed with Elvis until The King of Rock’n’Roll’s death in 1977.
Elvis opened at the Las Vegas International Hotel on 31 July 1969. This four-week residency was his first concert performance for 8 years. The concert poster credits: “With the Stamps Quartet – Sweet Inspirations and blues guitarist James Burton”. Some songs were recorded live at the shows and released on his double-album, From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis.
Elvis made his concert debut in Las Vegas at the New Frontier Hotel in 1956. However, his reception then was lukewarm at best. Wow was it different this time! He was not yet resplendent in a jumpsuit, that first sartorial appearance was still six-months away.
This performance marked the beginning of the third, and final, stage of Elvis’s career. From the 1950s rocker, to the 1960’s movie star and finally the 1970’s ultimate cabaret act.
Prolific session musician
Before, during and after his time with Elvis, James Burton was very busy as a session musician and in touring bands. He has played with some of rock’n’roll and country’s finest including, Gram Parsons, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Glen Campbell, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and a host of other luminaries.
In 2001 James Burton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a sideman. Keith Richards introduced Burton, along with another legendary sideman, Johnnie Johnson.
There were more accolades to follow. In 2007 Burton was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame, as a as part of The Wrecking Crew session musicians.
When Burton played onstage with Elvis, The King of Rock’n’Roll would often turn to Burton before a guitar solo and say – “Play it James”.
