Dick Campbell | |
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Dick Campbell in Chicago Illinois in 1966
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Background information | |
Birth name | Richard S. Campbell |
Born | January 25, 1944 |
Origin | Boston Massachusetts |
Genres | Rock, folk rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1964-2002 |
Labels | Mercury Records |
Associated acts | The Scarlets |
Website | Dick Campbell tribute page |
Richard S. "Dick" Campbell (January 25, 1944 – April 25, 2002), was a US folk rock singer-songwriter and film producer. He is best known for his 1966 album Dick Campbell Sings Where It’s At, rated as "the sole masterpiece of the fake-Dylan field"
Born in Boston Massachusetts and raised in Monroe, Wisconsin, Campbell was a relatively obscure singer-songwriter, who had released a couple of singles and composed for others including Artie Sullivan and all 34 tracks on Ken Nordine's album Colours. In 1965 he sent "a couple of Dylan-esque songs" to Mercury Records. Mercury were looking for an artist to compete with Bob Dylan who was signed to Columbia Records, so Mercury asked Campbell "to write ten more, Come back in two weeks, and make an album."
Mercury teamed Campbell up with the then unknown producer Lou Reizner, who used Mike Bloomfield and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, who had previously backed Bob Dylan, to ensure the style was very similar to Dylan's sound. Artists appearing on the album include Mike Bloomfield (guitar), Paul Butterfield (harmonica), Sam Lay (drums), Mark Naftalin (organ) and Peter Cetera (bass).
A single "Blues Peddlers"/"The People Planners" was released in 1965; with the album, entitled Dick Campbell Sings Where It’s At, released in 1966. The album includes 12 tracks, all written by Campbell. As admitted in the sleeve notes, the album is heavily informed by his volatile relationship with his girlfriend, Sandi; with lines such as "I won’t be capitulating/ You’re going to lose a few points in your ratings” and tracks including "You've Got to Be Kidding", "Approximately Four Minutes of Feeling Sorry for Dick Campbell", "Girls Named Misery" and "Ask Me If I Care".
The LP has been out of print for several years, and has yet to be released on compact disc in the US, although there has been a CD release in Japan.