On this date March 19, 2001 guitarist, and Wrecking Crew member James Burton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of…
On this date March 19, 2001 guitarist, and Wrecking Crew member James Burton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the category of “Musical Excellence” by Keith Richards. He was born August 21, 1939 in Dubberly, LA. Self-taught, Burton began playing guitar during childhood. He was hired to be part of the staff band for the popular Louisiana Hayride radio show in Shreveport. While he was still a teenager, Burton left Shreveport for Los Angeles, where he joined Ri…cky Nelson – Singer’s band. Burton played guitar on the majority of Rick Nelson’s songs recorded during the first 11 years of Nelson’s career. In 1965 he started working on the television program “Shindig!” as part of the house band “The Shindogs” which curtailed his touring with Nelson. The Shindig! exposure led to recording session work with a variety of artists, mostly as an unattributed sideman. Due to the volume of work, Burton turned down an offer to join Bob Dylan’s first touring band, and another offer to play on ELVIS PRESLEY’s 1968 comeback TV special “Elvis”. In 1969, Presley asked Burton to join his show in Las Vegas, and, Burton accepted. Burton organized the TCB Band, serving as its leader, and backed Presley from 1969 until Presley’s death in 1977. During 1975 and 1976, while still touring with Presley, Burton was one of the first members to join and tour with Emmylou Harris as part of her backing band, the “Hot Band”, after the death of Gram Parsons. Just before Presley died in 1977, Burton was called to play on a John Denver television special. During the taping, Denver asked if Burton would consider going on a European tour. Burton said he was working with Elvis, but if scheduling permitted, he would be glad to go. Shortly after Elvis’ death, Burton began a regular collaboration with Denver. The first album they recorded was “I Want to Live”. Burton’s later career included work with Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, John Denver, Merle Haggard, Gram Parsons, Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris. In 2007 he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN as a member of the The Wrecking Crew. #rockandrollhalloffame #jamesburton #guitarists #thewreckingcrew #musicianshalloffame #elvispresley #sessionmusicians #RickNelson #johndenver
Published at Fri, 19 Mar 2021 17:44:39 GMT
