John Campbell (blues guitarist)

John Allen Campbell (January 20, 1952 – June 13, 1993)[1] was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter.[1]

John Campbell
Birth nameJohn Allen Campbell
Also known asJohnny "Slim" Campbell
Born(1952-01-20)January 20, 1952
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJune 13, 1993(1993-06-13) (aged 41)
New York City, New York City
GenresBlues, Delta blues, electric blues
Occupation(s)Guitarist, singer, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
LabelsElektra, Sync, Cross Cut, Blue Rock'it, Sphere Sound

Biography

Campbell was born and grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States.[2]

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.[2] Its follow-up releases were on Elektra, One Believer (1991) and Howlin Mercy (1993).[2] His "When the Levee Breaks," was a cover of the country blues song written and first recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929 and covered also by Led Zeppelin.

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.[3] He was 41. He was survived by his wife, Dolly Fox; a daughter, Paris; a daughter, Elizabeth; a sister, Ellen Searcey; a brother, William, and his father, John.[4]

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)[5]

See also

References
  1. Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1992 – 1993". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  2. Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 95/6. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
  3. Richard Skelly. "John Campbell | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  4. "John Campbell, 41, Guitarist and Singer". The New York Times. June 17, 1993. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  5. "John Campbell | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
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