James Burton and Bill Lloyd
James Burton, the legendary guitarist who wrote the lick for Dale Hawkins’ “Suzy Q,” played lead guitar for Ricky Nelson throughout his television years and played in Elvis Presley’s band from 1969 on, was saluted at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville today. Part of the Nashville Cats series hosted by Bill Lloyd of Foster and Lloyd, the program spanned more than five decades of music.
Burton recalled how he was invited to live with Ozzie, Harriet and the family for two years while we was working on the show. He became such an integral part of Rick Nelson’s sound that he was told not to play with others.
Burton made up for lost time in the early ’60s, becoming one of the nation’s most sought-after session players. The Mamas and Papas, Byrds and Monkees all had help from Burton.
Over the years, Burton played in Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band, toured and recorded with John Denver and played with Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Costello, among many others.
Lloyd asked whether there was a “West Coast Country” sound. Did California session players take a more aggressive approach or was it just something about the way country albums were being recorded there?
Burton was emphatic: “No, it was for real. We were serious.”