Canadian Bassist Brad Campbell
October 22, 1945 – November 14, 2019
Brad Campbell played at Woodstock as part of Janis Joplin’s Kozmic Blues Band. Of course, like all musicians, he’d had things happen before and many things following.
Canadian Bassist Brad Campbell
Last Words
Though little known in the US, the first big band Brad Campbell played in was the Canadian band, The Last Words. The original group was comprised of Graeme Box (lead guitar), Ron Guenther (drums) and Brad’s brother Noel Campbell (piano).
According to a Barbed Wire Design article, The Last Words began in Clarkson, Ontario in 1961 as the The Beachcombers. Began and ended after two gigs.
Then, liking Ronnie Hawkins, they became the Nighthawks.
In 1964 Noel Campbell left the band, but before leaving invited brother Brad to join. Brad played bass.
Now they were The Smamokins band, but that soon changed to The Last Words.
Canadian Bassist Brad Campbell
I Symbolize You
Their first single in 1965, The Laugh’s On Me / She’ll Know How, for RCA Canada received very little air play, but in 1966 they hit the Canadian charts with a Columbia release, I Symbolize You / It Made Me Cry.
In late 1966, they released their last charted single, Give Me Time / Drive A Mini Minor, again on Columbia.
Bill Dureen left the group in 1967 and the remaining members continued with three others until 1968. Next was joining “The Paupers” with Skip Prokop (Lighthouse).
An interesting aside, Albert Grossman managed the Paupers and in early 1967 when Monterey Pop organizers were inviting groups, Grossman pushed to have the Paupers there. They did perform on the festival’s first night, but this was before Campbell was in the group.
Luckily for Brad…
Canadian Bassist Brad Campbell
Janis Joplin
In 1968 he went to New York.
He auditioned for Janis Joplin and she instructed her agent Albert Grossman to hire Brad.
He the Kozmic Blues band in late 1968. He’d eventually join Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band.
A Know Your Bass Player article wrote: To my ears, the Kozmic Blues Band and Full Tilt Boogie Band, with bassist Brad Campbell, were the perfect match to advance Janis’ groundbreaking artistry after she departed Big Brother & The Holding Company.
Throughout I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama (1969), Pearl (1971), and tracks on the archival In Concert (1972) [Campbell} fortified Ms. Joplin’s forays into soul and rhythm and blues on such classic tracks as “Try,” “Move Over,” “Half Moon,” and “Me and Bobbie McGee” with harmonic and rhythmic passages evocative of the Motown, Stax, and Atlantic Records session masters – who, at the time, were his peers.
Canadian Bassist Brad Campbell
Post Janis
Brad returned to Canada after Janis’s death.
He’d married and begin a family and apparently worked for the courts.
His 2019 obituary read: Brad Campbell passed away suddenly and peacefully on November 14, 2019. Survived by his loving wife Linda of 45 years. Cherished by his loving daughters; Melissa, Diana and Meredith. As per his wishes cremation has taken place. He will be missed by family and many friends. Brad will also be remembered for his love and passion for music. Donations in Brad’s memory may be made through www.musicounts.ca.
His Discography from the Discogs site.
Canadian Bassist Brad Campbell