TITLE: John Campbell - A Man and His Guitar!

SOURCE: YouTube

ABOUT: John Campbell (20 January 1952 – 13 June 1993), American blues guitarist, singer and song writer, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.

A supremely talented guitarist who took blues technique to new heights in live performance with a unique modern blend of driving rhythms, staccato riffs and bravura slide guitar sequences. His favoured instruments were a 1952 Gibson Southern Jumbo acoustic, a 1934 National Steel and a 1940's National resophonic guitar.

He grew up in Center, Texas, and his first group was Texas based 'electric power trio' Junction. Formed in 1973 trio disbanded two years later, and Campbell cut his first album titled Street Suite. 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 12 tracks were issued as compilation Tyler, Texas Session).

As solo artist Campbell continued to play in clubs of east Texas and also appeared in New Orleans. In 1985 he moved to New York City and joined local blues scene. The musician's first album of strong electric blues material, A Man And His Blues featuring Ronnie Earl as producer and guest guitarist was recorded during two days in April 1988 and released on German small label with very limited edition to be practically unknown in the USA until its followers always on major label Elektra, One Believer (1991) and recorded in August 1992 Howlin' Mercy (1993) including also released as 1993 CD-single cover to Led Zeppelin's classic "When The Levee Breaks" got a good press.

At the time when his recordings and live performances, including extensive US tour with Buddy Guy as well as two European ones in 1992-93, were gaining him ever increasing popularity and respect, he suffered heart failure, in his sleep, aged 41, at his home in New York City.

FIND MORE ABOUT: John Campbell

LABEL: Various

TAGS: john campbell national steel guitar blues bluesman blues music

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