Eddie C. Campbell

For Scottish comics artist and cartoonist, see Eddie Campbell. For other persons named Edward Campbell, see Edward Campbell (disambiguation).
Eddie C. Campbell
Campbell in Belgium, October 1979
Campbell in Belgium, October 1979
Background information
Born(1939-05-06)May 6, 1939
Duncan, Mississippi, United States
DiedNovember 20, 2018(2018-11-20) (aged 79)
Oak Park, Illinois, United States
GenresChicago blues
Occupation(s)Guitarist, singer
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1976–2018

Eddie C. Campbell (May 6, 1939 – November 20, 2018) was an American blues guitarist and singer in the Chicago blues scene.

Biography

Campbell was born in Duncan, Mississippi.[1] He moved to Chicago at the age of ten, and by age 12 was learning from the blues musicians Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, and Otis Rush.[2]

In his early years as a professional musician, he played as a sideman with Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Little Johnny Taylor, and Jimmy Reed.[1] In 1976, Willie Dixon hired him to play in the Chicago Blues All-Stars.[1] Campbell's debut album, King of the Jungle, featuring Carey Bell on harmonica and Lafayette Leake on piano, was released the next year.[2]

In 1979, Campbell participated in the American Blues Legends '79 album and tour of Europe, both organised by UK based label Big Bear Records.[3]

In 1984, Campbell left Chicago for Europe, living first in the Netherlands[2] and later in Duisburg, Germany, where he remained for ten years before returning to Chicago.[1][2]

Campbell's last album was Spider Eating Preacher (Delmark, 2012). It was nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2013 in the category Traditional Blues Album.[4]

In February 2013, Campbell suffered a stroke and a heart attack while on tour in Germany, leaving him paralyzed on the right side of his body. His wife, Barbara Basu, started the Eddie C. Campbell Assistance Fund to raise money to fly him back to Chicago for further medical treatment.[5] He died in Oak Park, Illinois on November 20, 2018, aged 79.[6]

Discography

Appears on

  • American Blues Legends '79 (Big Bear Records, 1979)

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Biography by Bill Dahl". Allmusic.com. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books. p. 98. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  3. ^ Simpson, Jim (2019). Don't Worry 'Bout The Bear. Brewin. ISBN 978-1-85858-700-4.
  4. ^ "Blues Music Awards Nominees – 2013 – 34th Blues Music Awards". Blues.org. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  5. ^ "Eddie C. Campbell in Poor Medical and Financial Condition After Stroke | News | Music News". Noise11.com. 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  6. ^ "Eddie C. Campbell, a master of West Side blues, dies at 79", Chicago Tribune, November 20, 2018