James Burton Talks about His Fender Paisley Telecaster, Elvis Presley & Ricky Nelson

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4 жыл бұрын

In this video, James Burton talks about his first guitar that he recorded many sessions with including "Suzie-Q" by Dale Hawkins, "Hello Mary Lou" by Ricky Nelson, as well as sessions with Merle Haggard.
Burton also talks about the call he got from Fender in '69 while he was on his way to play with Elvis Presley in Las Vegas. James met Elvis in '69 after doing an album with Frank Sinatra. Elvis called him personally and spoke for 3 hours about putting a band together.
Also discussed is the influence that Chet Atkins had on him as well as Les Paul and Merle Travis.
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Пікірлер: 130

@BubbaZen10 4 жыл бұрын

When people ask where rock n roll came from, this is one of the guys you point to.

@stevenheath741 4 жыл бұрын

What a true Gentleman and complete Master of guitar...Thanks

@user-dr8ug3gs3c 4 жыл бұрын

James Burton is a Legend and a #1 class act. Truly the Master of the Telecaster. But mostly I believe just a down to earth good GOD fearing man that has been blessed and is blessing others. You just gotta love this Guy. I hear his wife is much the same. Thanks

@blackiejames1843 4 жыл бұрын

The most recorded and one of the most influential guitar players in history. Powerful and tasty ! The best !

@maxwellspeedwell2585 11 ай бұрын

I can’t believe I’m watching this. What an incredible moment in time this interview was.

@Dorakaz1 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you James Burton for giving to us such a great music!

@suzannepayant7382 4 жыл бұрын

keep playing James, the whole world loves you .............Yvon

@marvinm.messier1120 4 жыл бұрын

I was hooked when I heard his"Fools Rush In" solo. Damn fine player and a true artist on the guitar.

@s2seltaeb 4 жыл бұрын

Mattski Messy Marvin thats a great one!

@babayaga8045 2 жыл бұрын

James is the essence of cool and is a tele man through and through. The only man that could make a pink fender cool.

@dday9257 4 жыл бұрын

I could listen to this man all day.Mr. Burton is one of the guitar pioneers.Grew up with James,Ricky and Elvis miss them all.

@curtisunit 3 жыл бұрын

James Burton is an absolute gent. It's rare that someone can be a legend and own it and still be so cool. That's inspiring. He does without any of the ego. If you asked Neil Armstrong if he walked on the moon he'd say yea and James would say "yea I wrote Suzie Q and I was Elvis' guitar man" and he would simply be telling the truth while being the coolest person you could meet. And I mean that from the heart.

@MrPatodon 4 жыл бұрын

...until the end of time. I hope so! Long live the great James Burton!

@stevestewart-sturges2159 4 жыл бұрын

James Burton is a giant.... in the 60's the list of majorly influential and important guitar players was incredible, never see the likes of them again...

@VonBluesman 4 жыл бұрын

James Burton is a super nice talented man. I saw him last live in Natchitoches, LA. He is friends with a couple of people I know. He had a great show that night. Check out the Buddy Guy strat hanging up right behind James. LOL Buddy needs an interview in a hurry, I think he is 83 or close to it, he plays New Orleans Jazz Fest every year. Thank you James for saying Hi at Natchitoches, I loved your performance. You are a first class guy and always have been, stardom has never gone to your head, you always treat everyone with respect no matter who they are. GOD bless you !!!

@excelsior999 2 жыл бұрын

What is most amazing to me is that such a modest Southern gentleman is also a world class guitarist who influenced a lot of R & R lead guitarists that came later, many of whom don't have nearly as much talent as he has. I love hearing Mr. Burton tell the story about picking up the telephone one day and the person on the other end of the line was Elvis Presley! Now how many people can say THAT?!

@marshman5319 2 жыл бұрын

I love watching James play Johnny b behind his head for Elvis ....Elvis looked like blown away to watch it

@johnnyweep59 4 жыл бұрын

James recorded lead Guitar on Dale Hawkins "Suzie Q " at the age of 15! ..let that sink in.

@merseybeat1963 4 жыл бұрын

And his daddy said take him down and get that guitar...thank you God for our Mothers and Fathers.

@syn707 3 жыл бұрын

Loved watching James on the Ozzie and Harriet TV Show. Part of the appeal was that he looked so cool. Then add that hot guitar...wow!

@christianboddum8783 4 жыл бұрын

A true hero!! I've met the man.

@1Ascanius 4 жыл бұрын

Jimmy page had a picture of James Burton in his wallet Enough said!

@stjohnbaby 2 жыл бұрын

So humble,great player!

@pamelamacneil1331 4 жыл бұрын

Great guitarist and a great guy. He also played on Roy Orbison's Black and White Night. Which like all of the musical greats, that also played, told you how much he admired and respected Roy Orbison. Thx. for posting , James Burton is a legend in his own right.

@jamesfitzgerald6636 4 жыл бұрын

Pamela Macneil ... got his Autograph that night! Part of Camera crew but Springsteen wouldn’t sign!

@deropol05 4 жыл бұрын

One of my best purchases was the boxed set of black and white night. Fantastic once in a lifetime performance, but it would have been better if Springsteen stayed home imho.

@pamelamacneil1331 4 жыл бұрын

@@jamesfitzgerald6636 WOW! So you were actually there. What was that like? I like all of the musicians and performers that backed Roy Orbison. Some more then others. James Burton was at the top of my likes. But Roy Orbison is a legend to me. An awesome talent whose uniqueness we can only marvel at. I am a boomer, so I've been listening to Roy for a long time. The first album I bought at 12, was Roy Orbison's greatest hits. I won't go on, but the creation of the Black and White Night was stunning. As a camera man you must have had something to do with that. The camera work itself was truly amazing. So Springsteen wouldn't sign an autograph for you. Hmmm maybe his finger was sore from trying to keep up his guitar playing with James Burton's guitar playing.. Go Well!

@victorpearson1418 4 жыл бұрын

@@jamesfitzgerald6636 james cut bruce's head that night !

@pamelamacneil1331 4 жыл бұрын

@@deropol05 I agree. It was an incredible piece of work musically and technically. For sure a once in a lifetime performance. So glad that Roy got to do that, because if I'm not mistaken, he sadly passed the next year.

@shawnmcvey7789 4 жыл бұрын

The comments sections on these videos are uncharacteristically nice for KZfaq. Must be the great content.

@generaljj577 4 жыл бұрын

Rams suck 😉

@shaunw9270 4 жыл бұрын

He's one of the reasons I had to get a '52 reissue Telecaster ! My sister was into him on the Ricky Nelson records , my brother digs all the stuff with Elvis . I like the everything else bits ! That LP "Corn Pickin & Slick Slidin" (think that's the title) with Ralph Mooney, just an example, is a seldom mentioned gem btw .

@johnnytroyano8870 4 жыл бұрын

Grew up in Burbank, James son Jeff (RIP) was my friend in elementary school. Met James as a kid when I would go to their home in Toluca Lake, he was always a friendly man, little did I know who he was, let alone a musical legend. Please let him know Jeff's friends from Stevenson Elemtary school send him our best.

@SIRONEDRAGON 4 жыл бұрын

Super !!! many many yeas ago I met a son of James Burton. His son was the leader of Pop band .... He talked to me a little about his Dad but I don't remember what said about his Dad.

@oldermusiclover 3 жыл бұрын

never got to see James in person but was blessed to have seen Ricky years ago. great show. sadly the autograph he gave me, got ruined by the rain later on thanks Joe

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks again Ginny .....Joe

@SteveFBS 4 жыл бұрын

I loves me some James Burton.

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve got James coming by this Tuesday to do a full MHOF”Backstage” interview unless something happens. Do you have a question you’d like me to ask him?

@mainefem8541 4 жыл бұрын

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Yes, please! When watching interviews w/musicians, supportive parents in early-middle childhood years seems to be crucial (whether they can afford to purchase the instrument outright, or make payments on it for their child). Wondering whether his parents/siblings/grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins played musical instruments, too? Also exposed to any sort of music curriculum in public school (or not)? I did read that James was self-taught, which strikes me as commonplace for rock-n-roll musicians during that post WWII-1950s era. Thank you, Joe~ 🎶

@SteveFBS 4 жыл бұрын

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Hell yeah, if it's possible, although he's gotta be sick of hearing questions about Elvis. What I'd like to know is which was more enjoyable: Playing live on stage with Elvis, or working in the recording studio...plus was there a time where this whole thing reversed? How were the sessions in "The Jungle Room"? Were most people ok with recording there and what was Elvis' mood like during the two periods where they recorded there? James is a first rate guitarist and first rate gentleman. I really admire what he's accomplished in his (thankfully) long life and I hope he continues to enjoy his art as much as we enjoy hearing it. Thanks so much! -Steven

@TheAerovons 4 жыл бұрын

As a kid learning guitar I'd watch Ricky Nelson just like he mentioned Elvis did. His solo in "Young World" was simple but amazing and as a young kid I just dreamed of being able to play like that. Played the record until it wore out lol

@spottedliver 4 жыл бұрын

Being a telecaster player, this story is great.

@thomaspick4123 4 жыл бұрын

James Burton played in John Denver’s band, dobro. Pete Huttlinger played acoustic guitar in that band. James playing with Elvis let him stretch out. I like the Ricky Nelson period. They were good friends. James helped Ricky learn guitar. I enjoyed the song writing of the late fifties. Ricky had some nice hits, with James playing tastefully.

@BubbaZen10 4 жыл бұрын

James ' playing on that show, as someone said in a post below, was one of the things that later gave us Led Zeppelin.

@shaunw9270 4 жыл бұрын

In 1963 James had a single out under the name Jimmy Dobro ; Swamp Surfer / Everybody Listen To The Dobro . Available on CD released by Ace: James Burton - The Early Years 1956 - 1969. Absolutely brilliant 👌

@BubbaZen10 4 жыл бұрын

@@shaunw9270 Wow man, thank you for that! Just plugged it in, and 30 seconds in, just had to say thanks! ;)

@shaunw9270 4 жыл бұрын

@@BubbaZen10 Excellent , my pleasure. Enjoy ! 👌

@tonymarinelli7304 4 жыл бұрын

Jimmy Paige, Pete Townsend,Keith Richards, George Harrison, Steve Lukather, so many more legends have mentioned JB’s influence on their playing. He also was part of the wrecking crew.

@oldermusiclover 3 жыл бұрын

LOVE LOVE James' shirt and necklace

@jerrybrownell3633 4 жыл бұрын

There are guitar players and then there is James Burton.

@tommywood343 2 жыл бұрын

The great james Burton. R.I.P Elvis 🎸🎶🎵

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tommy….Joe

@lylewilliams1371 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@aceman1969nlb Жыл бұрын

Mr. James is one of the nicest men I’ve ever met and spoken with on telephone. Total class act. 👍❤️👍❤️🎸🎸

@urseldoran9782 4 жыл бұрын

I have super enjoyed his riffs with Roy Orbison and Bruce Springsteen more times than I can count!!

@annemariep.b.6715 2 жыл бұрын

Oui black and white night j’adore Roy Bruce James et Ricky Nelson aussi ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇫🇷

@annemariep.b.6715 2 жыл бұрын

BRAVO James Burton ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇫🇷

@claudehopper9813 2 жыл бұрын

Such a humble guy for being such a great player with an amazing list of records he played on . Like a lot of guitarist i grew up watching him and admiring his style and sound .

@DavidHBurkart 4 жыл бұрын

The Man himself!!

@colmcasey1794 4 жыл бұрын

James had to decide between Sinatra or Elvis.🤔🤔.I know the feeling as it happens to me all the time 😂😂😜😜. I saw James only once with Emmy and the hot band in Dublin about 77 and I have told everyone since that I would give almost anything to see that again.Rodney was onstage with James when he played the iconic solo on Gain control again.That song deserved no less of course.NOBODY could replace James in a band but Albert Lee was and is great.

@pamelamacneil1331 4 жыл бұрын

I'm going to see Albert Lee at the end of the month. Can't wait!

@tomjones239 4 жыл бұрын

I bought a P.A. system and some other gear from James years ago in Shreveport, LA. Really nice guy.

@jeanninema351 2 жыл бұрын

merci pour cette video. bonjour mr burton.

@Jake-wl7mh 3 жыл бұрын

Love this!!!!!

@roncerelli6841 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mr. Burton for ALL YOU DID for rock n roll-God Bless-Ron Cerelli-Newtown, Pa.

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Ron.....Joe

@dannyc1174 4 жыл бұрын

Another great interview, Joe - thanks. And, yes, James Burton - a Master of the Telecaster (or any guitar, actually) and a real down-to-earth, real-deal Gentleman. So many licks behind so many artists, but I love that Capitol LP with him and Ralph Mooney - "Corn Pickin' and Slick Slidin'"....now THERE's some pickin'! I bought that when it came out in '84 and love it till this day!

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Danny!!! Best....Joe

@mrblueroadscellphone1991 4 жыл бұрын

I love James Burton go to meet him during the recording of the Bradley Barn sessions with George Jones I don't remember him having the Paisley guitar there but he had a lot of guitars I had the track sheets from the recording, because I was working there then he suggested for me to get Keith Richards to sign them and I did thanks James I have always loved your picking thumbs up always

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 4 жыл бұрын

We have the Enactron Studio trailer here in the museum.James played on a song I wrote called “Good Ones And Bad Ones” on that album. Thanks for watching... Best, Joe

@mrblueroadscellphone1991 4 жыл бұрын

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum I remember that song good ones and bad ones George did record that at the Bradley Barn sessions him and Mark Chesnutt record it again I don't know if it got released on the second version of the Bradley Barn sessions or not he's probably there great track race song had a true story at that what's going on you know in fact I think that came out on the Bradley bar and say she and I remember him and Mark recording it I had never heard that song Until That moment sorry for the confusing words in here I'm using auto spell in my vision is not real good

@HerringboneRecords 4 жыл бұрын

James also played with Stephen Stills and Buddy Emmons on Judy Collins's 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' album...some great tasty playing by all...and a Great Classic album....check out Pretty Polly....😁👍

@mrDCunningham 3 жыл бұрын

These videos are great. James Burton is a living legend. 👍🏻😎

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching David... joe

@seanhughes1923 2 жыл бұрын

The lead break James played on Ricky Nelsons Hello mary lou was class way ahead of its time one of the best records of all time .Ricky class signing James class playing..................

@TheNewenglandboys 3 жыл бұрын

James Burton: A guitar legend! When rock began and a huge part of what made it great! The best music ever made!

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks TNEB for sharing your thoughts... Best, Joe

@bryonkidder6199 4 жыл бұрын

Luv it!

@robertlarue6186 2 жыл бұрын

Elvis: ''James, they dont tell you when to start'' Ha Ha Ha Such a wonderful career, playing with the greatest, bringing their art to higher level. Many thanks to you James, God bless you.

@dougmor1 4 жыл бұрын

The original version of Suzie Q that James played on was by Dale Hawkins, not CCR

@tonymarinelli7304 4 жыл бұрын

James is one of my favorites!?

@horseyhorselips3501 4 жыл бұрын

My Mom worked at the NiagaraFalls Hilton Hotel in the 1970’s & 1980’s and as a chambermaid she walked in on many famous people, she walked in on Bob Dylan while they were indulging and she said don’t worry my son does that at home, next day they left a big gift for me and she gave it to me, buzz buzz 🐝, she met Chuck Barris from the gong show and she gave me a hat pin gong, she met Lawrence Welk twice She was in her Glory, till when she walked in on Elvis when he was shaving and he gave her two front row tickets 🎫, my biggest heartbreak was when she handed me a backstage pass for Earth Wind & Fire and my dad grabbed it out of my hands and said no way your going to that they’ll kill you and he ripped it up into tiny pieces

@pamelamacneil1331 4 жыл бұрын

great story!

@peach495 4 жыл бұрын

Your dad sounds like an asshole. I've seen Earth Wind & Fire. They, along with the J. Giels band, warmed up the Stones in Cleveland in 1975. They were Great.

@Creamstp 4 жыл бұрын

@@peach495 Take it easy on Freewheelin it's still the mans dad...the world is full of "white" dads like him till this day and their racist souls are a sickness they'll carry to the grave.

@peach495 4 жыл бұрын

@@Creamstp Nope, my dad was an asshole like this also. I, as a kid wasn't even allowed to watch the Beatles cartoon. Later after years of bands like Black Sabbath etc. my father heard a simple Beatles song & said " now this is much nicer, why can't you listen to music like this". I thought at the time, what an idiot.

@peach495 4 жыл бұрын

@@DavidSmith-ss1cg Yea, my dad was a good guy to, Just an asshole regarding music. Actually tried to stop me from listing to rock n roll.

@kentbeery4697 4 жыл бұрын

Seems like a Great guy !

@HelloooThere 4 жыл бұрын

Is this interview recent? Glad to see he looks very well!!

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 4 жыл бұрын

This interview was around 2004/5. Just did a new one that will be out this week or next. Thanks for watching... Joe

@jcstevegigs 4 жыл бұрын

So interesting

@scsu5085 4 жыл бұрын

**James brings up excellent point *** even though he didn't know he made it...... Today there's a push claiming cultural appropriation of R&B by the early rock artists, that is was stolen from African community. Sheer rubbish. Rock & roll is not always identical to R&B. It was the blending of Country Music with R&B (among others) that made Rock what it morphed into.... Chet Atkins, and the country influence on rock is understated today, but it was always there. The electric guitar masters like Chet Atkins, and LES PAUL, must be acknowledged, even if modern artists (ie: George Thorogood, etc) don't know that they were influenced by it. Ever listen to Hank Snow, Hank Williams, you'll hear some brilliant early (pre rock) guitar work..... AND do not forget bluegrass mountain music (Flatt & Scruggs).... it's some of the fastest rocking music you'll hear, and it influenced Elvis too. Finally, Crooners like Dean Martin were among Elvis' chief idols! Check out Elvis' first big songs that brought him to national attention, these were NOT recycled R&B songs, they were freshly written for him Heartbreak Hotel.... I was the one... Love me Tender.... Don't be Cruel. Point? Rock is an amalgamation of styles, cultures, and influences. It does not belong to one culture. If one claims that rock & roll is an appropriation from a group of people, then they are also guilty of distorting the truth & appropriating what the early country & rock artists also contributed to it (along side the R&B folks).

@genebrenner855 4 жыл бұрын

Saw James play a Gretsch electric on "Ozzie and Harriet" with Ricky a time or two.

@jimvonkropsberg399 Жыл бұрын

Pink paisley ❤❤❤❤

@fastfoodreviewcoffeeandelv9470 4 жыл бұрын

Goat 🐐

@ElvisAaronpresleybyRustyMartin 3 жыл бұрын

May I ask 🤔 what does Goat mean ?

@bobbys4327 4 жыл бұрын

loved the Animals

@ogpigeon4431 3 жыл бұрын

He looks great for being 81 years old. I'm guessing he didn't get as caught up in the excesses of the music scene back in the day.

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 3 жыл бұрын

Hi 44… yes he stayed away from drugs etc. also this interview was shot in 2004 or 2005…. Best, Joe

@nickf9392 2 жыл бұрын

Love to hear personal stories about telecasters....I have mine too, just I'm not famous.

@stupendousmusic4190 4 жыл бұрын

VOTED! Keep going Joe! I eat this stuff up! I have a suggestion: Pete Townshend would be an excellent guest to interview, considering that he was responsible for eliciting guitar amplification as we know it. Not to mention his choices in guitars over the years, and the fact he was one of the early progenitors of home recording and music creation.

@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum 4 жыл бұрын

Great..... thanks Stu.... I’d love Pete too but really hard to snag a interview with him. I had a close friend who was his tech for years that just passed away “ Alan Rogan” ..... great guy. I do have one of his Les Pauls broken on the Quadrophenia tour in the museum. Thanks again for voting... please spread the word to vote for us everyday until February 17th. Best.......Joe P.S just shot new full length interview with James two weeks ago. Really good stuff... You’ll love it... coming soon:)

@stupendousmusic4190 4 жыл бұрын

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum If you can manage to get him for an interview, I have questions that would go well with your usual line of questioning, that most interviewers wouldn't think to ask.