Jimmy Webb: ‘Special night of music,’ salute to Glen Campbell in Delray
He’s not searching in the sun for another overload. He’ll just settle for some sun.
Singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb, the man who wrote “Wichita Lineman,” “By The Time I Get to Phoenix,” “MacArthur Park” and many other hits, is appearing Wednesday at the Crest Theatre in Delray Beach.
“I’m looking forward to escaping the bomb cyclone New York weather and heading to sunshine and the Old School Square Crest Theatre in Delray Beach!” he wrote on his Facebook page before the most recent blast of Arctic air hit the Sunshine State.
“It’s been too long since I’ve performed in Florida,” he wrote. “I’ve got a special evening of music planned.”
Undoubtedly, part of that special evening of music will include a nod to his friend, the late Glen Campbell, whose recordings of Webb’s songs made both of them
stars in the late ’60s. On New Year’s Day, Webb performed with Cape Cod’s symphony in a tribute to Campbell, who died in August after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
In an interview with the Cape Cod Times, Webb said that Campbell was the first crossover country artist and never got the true recognition his singing and guitar playing deserved because he made it look so easy.
“His guitar playing was phenomenal,” Webb told the paper. “He could duel with anyone in the world — (Eric) Clapton, (Mark) Knopfler. Maybe (Larry) Cory- ell and ( John) McLaughlin could play faster, but most guys — he kicked their ass. (Paul) McCartney knew, and Knopfler knew, those guys in the inner circle. Glen was the man.”
In a touching tribute on Facebook soon after Campbell’s death, Webb recalled their special friendship.
“Glen was the real deal,” Webb wrote. “He spoke my name from ten thousand stages. He was my big brother, my protector, my co-culprit, my John crying in the wilderness. Nobody liked a Jimmy Webb song as much as Glen!”
And he made a promise, one he will most likely keep Wednesday night in Delray Beach:
“While I can play a piano he will never be forgotten.”