Introduction
James Burton Breaks His Silence: The Man Who Knew Elvis Best Finally Speaks
What if I told you that the guitarist Elvis Presley trusted most has finally opened up after decades of silence? For eight unforgettable years, James Burton stood at Elvis’s side, answering the King’s call every time he shouted, “Play it, James!” Now, at 85 years old, Burton is ready to share the memories he kept buried—memories that reveal the man Elvis truly was behind the spotlight.
James Burton’s journey began in Shreveport, Louisiana, where music seemed to flow effortlessly from his fingers. By his teenage years, his reputation as a prodigy had spread, leading him to Los Angeles where he shaped Ricky Nelson’s sound and recorded the iconic riff for “Suzie Q.” But in 1969, Burton’s path crossed with Elvis Presley’s—and music history was forever changed.
Elvis was preparing for his first Las Vegas residency after the legendary 1968 comeback special. He needed a band strong enough to match his energy, and at its heart, he wanted Burton. Though Burton had once turned down Elvis, this time he said yes, assembling what became the legendary TCB Band—Taking Care of Business. From that moment, Burton wasn’t just a guitarist; he was Elvis’s musical anchor.
Night after night, their chemistry lit up stages across America. Elvis trusted Burton completely, giving him freedom to play with fire, tenderness, or gospel soul, depending on the moment. Their bond went far beyond music. Burton recalls how Elvis treated his band not as background players but as family, always checking on them, always giving.
But Burton also witnessed the struggles behind the curtain. He saw Elvis push through exhaustion, transforming the moment the lights came up. Their final show together came on June 26, 1977, in Indianapolis. When Elvis gave his last “Play it, James,” Burton poured every ounce of himself into the solo—unaware it would be their farewell. Just weeks later, Elvis was gone.
For Burton, the memory of that night remains sacred. To him, Elvis wasn’t just the King of Rock and Roll. He was a kind, generous soul, a brother who trusted him with his music and his heart. And as Burton often says, every time he picks up a guitar, he still carries Elvis with him.