James Burton

James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana, United States) 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. He was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024. 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 24 in Rolling Stone list of 250 greatest guitarists of all time.

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, Lee Hazlewood, 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born Dubberly (village in Webster Parish, Louisiana, United States)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1957 - 1968

Roles Represented in DAHR: lead guitar, guitar, Dobro, electric guitar

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 139 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Imperial IM-1390 10-in. 11/16/1957 Have i told you lately that i love you Ricky Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Imperial IM-1391 10-in. 11/16/1957 Be-bop baby Ricky Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Imperial IM-1451 10-in. 11/18/1957 Stood up Ricky Nelson instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Imperial IM-1452 10-in. 11/18/1957 Waitin' in school Ricky Nelson instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Imperial IM-1508 10-in. 2/17/1958 My bucket's got a hole in it Ricky Nelson instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Imperial IM-1509 10-in. 2/17/1958 Believe what you say Ricky Nelson instrumentalist, lead guitar  
Decca L 13112 2/12/1963 You don't love me anymore Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13113 2/12/1963 I got a woman Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13131 3/7/1963 What comes next? Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13132 3/7/1963 Everytime I see you smiling Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13133 3/7/1963 Everytime I think about you Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13134 3/7/1963 For your sweet love Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13135 3/14/1963 Gypsy woman-1 Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13136 3/14/1963 Little by little Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13137 3/14/1963 I will follow you-1 Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13138 3/21/1963 Let's talk the whole thing over Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13139 3/21/1963 One boy too late Rick Nelson ; Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13150 3/20/1963 I can't get started Rick Nelson ; Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13194 4/2/1963 Pick up the pieces Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13195 4/2/1963 String along-1 Rick Nelson instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 13233 7/16/1963 You're free to go Rick Nelson instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca L 13234 7/16/1963 Hello Mister Happiness-1 Rick Nelson instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca L 13235 7/16/1963 That same old feeling-1 Rick Nelson instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca L 13236 7/30/1963 Down home-1 Rick Nelson instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca L 13237 7/30/1963 I rise, I fall Rick Nelson instrumentalist, electric guitar  
(Results 1-25 of 139 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Burton, James," accessed January 4, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/201329.

Burton, James. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/201329.

"Burton, James." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 4 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/201329

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