Keith Richards Made A Surprise Appearance To Honor Elvis Presley Guitarist

Keith Richards unexpectedly appeared at the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony last night to honor legendary guitarist James Burton. The Rolling Stones guitarist wasn’t announced beforehand, catching the audience and Burton by surprise. “What a surprise. They’re all my heroes, all these guys I work with,” Burton said after being introduced on stage by Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young.

Richards wasn’t alone. Rolling Stones drummer Steve Jordan, Eagles’ touring member Vince Gill, and Emmylou Harris joined him on stage for a performance of “I Can’t Dance,” a song Burton played with Gram Parsons in 1974. “We made it, James,” Richards quipped before leading a star-studded jam session to close out the night.

Celebrating a Legendary Career

James Burton, a Louisiana native, made a massive impact on the music world with his exceptional guitar skills. Known for his long tenure with Elvis Presley from 1969 until Presley died in 1977, Burton also worked with Ricky Nelson for over a decade before that. His guitar magic can be heard on iconic records by artists like the Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, the Monkees, and Joni Mitchell. He even teamed up with Elvis Costello for several albums starting in the mid-1980s.

During the event, Costello led a rendition of “Believe What You Say,” a Ricky Nelson hit that featured Burton’s guitar work back when he was just a teenager. “He made an impact on the world with his playing, and he was quite the showman,” Vince Gill said, praising Burton’s immense contributions to both rock and country music.

A Night of Honors

The night wasn’t just about Burton. John Anderson and Toby Keith were also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during the ceremony, held at the CMA Theater in Nashville. Toby Keith, who passed away earlier this year, was remembered for his remarkable contributions to country music.