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THE GUITARS OF ELVIS
A step-by-step breakdown of the playing techniques of Scotty
Moore, Hank Garland, and James Burton. Accompanying audio presents
each song in stereo-split with full band backing. Songs include:
Heartbreak Hotel • Hound Dog • Jailhouse Rock •
and more!
Read more
Inventory #HL696507
Book/CD $19.95 (US)
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James Burton
Best known as Elvis’ guitarist in the later years, James
Burton created a blistering Telecaster rockabilly style in
the early days of rock ‘n’ roll playing with teen idol
Ricky Nelson.
While still a teenager himself in Shreveport, Louisiana, Burton got a great gig playing with the Lousiana Hayride,
a famous country music radio show of the day. He had gotten a Telecaster when they were still a novelty at the
age of 12. His first studio session was playing lead on a song that would become not only a hit but a classic
- Dale Hawkins’ "Suzy Q" in 1956. Shortly after that session he was discovered by Ricky Nelson,
who made Burton his guitarist for the next eight years.
Playing on TV with Nelson, Burton inspired guitarists nationwide
with his wild string-bending techniques, and developed his trademark
"chicken pickin’" that combines country and rockabilly
elements.
After his long stint with Ricky Nelson, Burton became a Hollywood
session man, playing with stars like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard,
Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and many others, as well as other
studio aces like Tommy Tedesco and Barney Kessel.
In 1969 he got the call from The King, and became the guitarist
for the TCB (Taking Care of Business) Band that stayed with Elvis
through the Las Vegas years until his death in 1977.
Although perhaps overshadowed by his work with Elvis, Burton’s
other accomplishments include session work for many other stars
over the years, including John Denver, Merle Haggard, Emmylou
Harris, and even Elvis Costello. He was inducted into the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 in the Side-man category.
Click below for a James Burton article from Fender Frontline:
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