James Burton to announce shock retirement from music?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Washington
  • Last updated on

Burton created a stir on Sunday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.
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Sad news for Burton fans. Speculation had been rife that the American guitarist is about to announce his retirement from music, at age 86, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 12/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a guitarist isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a guitarist just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJames

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouJames was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“James Burton was unlike any other guitarist we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouJames”
— @universalObserver, 11 Jan 2026
“I thought James Burton retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 11 Jan 2026

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