John Campbell (blues guitarist)
| John Campbell | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | John Allen Campbell |
| Also known as | Johnny "Slim" Campbell |
| Born |
January 20, 1952 Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died |
June 13, 1993 (aged 41) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, Delta blues, electric blues |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Labels | Elektra, Sync, Cross Cut, Blue Rock'it, Sphere Sound |
| Notable instruments | |
|
1952 Gibson Southern Jumbo acoustic 1934 National Steel 1940s National resophonic guitar | |
John Allen Campbell (January 20, 1952 – June 13, 1993)[1] was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter.[1]
Biography
Campbell was born and grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana.
His first group was the Texas-based electric power trio, Junction. Formed in 1973 in Corpus Christi, Texas, the band consisted of John on guitar and vocals, Tim Delaney on bass and vocals, and Jack "Satch" Haupt on drums and vocals. The trio disbanded two years later. Campbell cut his first album titled Street Suite around this same time.
At the eve of the 1980s he spent a time at the Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, Texas and taped a demo with his acoustic versions of blues standards. In 2000 these twelve tracks were issued as the compilation album, Tyler, Texas Session.
As a solo artist, Campbell continued to play in clubs of East Texas and he also appeared in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1985, he moved to New York City, New York, and joined the local blues scene.
His album, A Man And His Blues, featured Ronnie Earl as producer and guest guitarist, was recorded during two days in April 1988, and was released on a small German record label. Its follow-up releases were on Elektra, One Believer (1991) and Howlin Mercy (1993). The latter included the single cover version of Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks".
Campbell's favored instruments were a 1952 Gibson Southern Jumbo acoustic, a 1934 National Steel and a 1940s National resophonic guitar.
Death
On June 13, 1993, Campbell died from heart failure as he slept at his Manhattan home in New York City, New York.[2] He was 41. He was survived by his wife, Dolly Fox; a daughter, Paris; a sister, Ellen Searcey; a brother, William, and his father, John.[3]
Album discography
- 1975: Street Suite (Sync)
- 1988: A Man And His Blues (Cross Cut)
- 1991: One Believer (Elektra)
- 1993: Howlin Mercy (Elektra)
- 2000: Tyler, Texas Session (Sphere Sound)[4]
See also
References
- 1 2 Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1992 - 1993". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ↑ Richard Skelly. "John Campbell | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/17/obituaries/john-campbell-41-guitarist-and-singer.html
- ↑ "John Campbell | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
External links
- John Campbell site on MySpace Music
- Another MySpace Tribute Page more focused on his last album
- John Campbell discography at discogs.com