Song:Hey, The Blues Is All Right
Album:That's When I Know
Back in the 60s, guitarist Eddie C. Campbell was one of Chicago's top sidemen. For several years, he was musical director for the legendary Jimmy Reed. When Reed died in 1976, Campbell moved to Europe and established himself as a leader on the festival circuit. He moved back to Chicago in the 90s and continues to tour and record today. He was born May 6, 1939 in Duncan, MS and moved to Chicago with his family. His mom gave him his first guitar at age eight and he started hanging around clubs in the west side of Chicago. Muddy Waters told him if he learned to play the guitar, he could sit in with the band. As a teen, he hung around with pals like Luther Allison and Magic Sam. He was also an amateur boxer and won 16 bouts by KO. He had a red guitar and rode around on a purple motorcycle. So he was a very colourful guy. By the late 50s, he was backing up Percy Mayfield, Lowell Fulsom, Tyrone Davis, Little Johnny Taylor, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush, Mighty Joe Young and his best friend Magic Sam. In 1963, he became musical director for Jimmy Reed and remained until Reed's death in 1976. Campbell worked with Koko Taylor and she recommended him to Willie Dixon and Campbell played with Dixon for four years. Meanwhile, Campbell recorded his solo debut King Of The Jungle in 1977. After touring Europe, Campbell and his wife Barbara moved there in 1984 mostly living in Amsterdam but also in England and Germany. He recorded three albums while in Europe. In 1992, he moved back to Chicago so his son would be born in the US. That's When I Know was released in 1994 by Blind Pig Records. For the most part, Campbell writes his own songs. Hey, The Blues Is All Right was covered by Taj Mahal. His best known song is probably the Yuletide classic Santa's Been Messin' With The Kid which was covered by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Eddie C. Campbell currently records for Delmark Records and his latest CD Spider Eating Preacher was released in Feb. 2012. His wife Barbara plays bass and Campbell's godson Lurrie Bell is featured on a couple of songs. Blues fans should check out Eddie C. Campbell. Here's Eddie C. Campbell with The Rockin' Johnny Band performing Hey, The Blues Is All Right at JT's Porch in Rockford, IL Mar. 12, 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment