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