Aug 27, 2021 2:14 PM
Chick Corea: Final Curtain Call
Editor’s Note: This article is from the August 2021 DownBeat Critics Poll issue.
At the time of this writing,…
Eddie C. Campbell (1939–2018)
(Photo: Eddie C. Campbell Facebook page)Eddie C. Campbell, a blues vocalist and guitarist who toured the world, died Nov. 20 at his home in Oak Park, Illinois, according to a Facebook post from his manager, Barbara Mayson. He was 79 and had suffered from heart problems.
Campbell, who was revered among fans of Chicago blues—particularly the style known as West Side blues—performed with many icons and was a successful bandleader.
The opening track on his debut album, 1977’s King Of The Jungle, was his composition “Santa’s Messin’ With The Kid,” which would later be covered by rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Musicians on Campbell’s original version included harmonica player Carey Bell and bassist Lurrie Bell.
Other leader albums in Campbell’s discography include Let’s Pick It! (1984), Mind Trouble (1988), That’s When I Know (1994) and Gonna Be Alright (1999). Later he recorded two albums for Chicago label Delmark Records: Tear This World Up (2009) and Spider Eating Preacher (2012). The latter was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the category Traditional Blues Album.
Campbell was born on May 6, 1939, in Duncan, Mississippi, and as a child moved to Chicago with his family. His mother knew Muddy Waters and arranged for her young son, a prodigy, to sit in with the blues legend’s band.
Campbell also performed with Luther Allison, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon and Koko Taylor. He served as a bandleader for Jimmy Reed.
Campbell relocated to Europe in the 1980s but returned to the States in 1992. In 2013, he suffered a heart attack and stroke, a devastating health event that permanently derailed his career.
Mayson’s Facebook post announcing Campbell’s death generated comments from around the world, including musicians based in Texas, Argentina and The Netherlands who had collaborated with him. DB
Corea was named Artist, Pianist and Keyboardist of the Year for the final time in the 69th Annual DownBeat Critics Poll.
Aug 27, 2021 2:14 PM
Editor’s Note: This article is from the August 2021 DownBeat Critics Poll issue.
At the time of this writing,…
“When I go up on that stand, the only thing I’m thinking of is music.” —Dr. Lonnie Smith
Sep 29, 2021 12:10 PM
Dr. Lonnie Smith, one of the greatest musicians to ever touch the Hammond B-3 organ, died Sept. 28 at home in Ft.…
Maria Schneider’s Data Lords was the critics’ pick for Album of the Year.
Aug 24, 2021 12:08 PM
Editor’s Note: This article was written to commemorate Maria Schneider’s CD Data Lords being named Album of the…
The great jazz shrine of The Village Vanguard in New York reopened in September.
Oct 5, 2021 12:48 PM
The tables were slightly fewer in number. The air filtration system was new. But when the Village Vanguard reopened in…
George Wein created the blueprint of the modern-day music festival.
Sep 14, 2021 12:06 PM
George Wein, pianist, NEA Jazz Master and recipient of DownBeat’s Lifetime Achievement Award, best known for his help…
