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
Early on
Among the beautiful gifts these Woodstock Whisperer posts serendipitously bestow are comments from someone who was at the event the post is on or knew the person the post is about. Below you can read a comment by an Ian Box, but it is such a great background comment that I want to include it in the post itself. Thank you Ian.
Hi. My name is Ian Box. I am the brother of Graeme Box. One correction, in the band’s early years they where called The Shamokins.
I knew Brad from about the age of 10 and I hung out with Brad after he returned from San Francisco for a few years. He still had his Triumph TR6.
I took the B/W picture of Brad wearing the headphones at the top of this article. It was taken shortly after his return in his mom’s basement in Clarkson, now part of Mississauga.
I have alot of fond memories listening to music under headphones in that basement with Brad. He teamed up with my brother Graeme often and they played alot of great music together. Occasionally they let me play acoustic.
Although I was a number of years younger than Brad, it never seemed to bother him. He was quite simply one of the coolest people I have have ever known. I was privileged to watch him play his bass many times. He was in that level of talent not many musicians ever reach.
He was also one of the funniest people I have ever known. Growing up he was close friends with my brother Leigh and Wayne Cooper. To see these 3 guys together often left me in tears from laughing.
He had several jobs during the time I hung out with him. He work at a Steel Mill, was a Baliff for Mississauga and got his license to drive heavy road equipment.
It was a great shock when I learned of his passing. Even though I hadn’t been in contact with him for many years I still think of him as one of my best friends from that time of my life. My most sincere condolences to Linda and her family.
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 joined 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.
Brad Campbell never played the bango. Get your facts straight
I assume you mean banjo and I got my (incorrect?) fact re that from the All Music site. https://www.allmusic.com/album/school-of-bluegrass-mw0000331362/credits
Peace
Pretty sure his daughter would know…
Hi… My name is Bill Dureen, keyboardist and vocals for The Last Words. Brad never played banjo or with Doyle, Lawson and Quicksilver. Your write-up has many inaccuracies that must be changed. Here’s a link that can help you.
http://www.canuckistanmusic.com/index.php?maid=552&fbclid=IwAR3bBZajzaUdULiQjIeekkXH8NSvf-7n-wJ7t_SQHm21q6DhwbGdpilrPQg
Bill, my name is Don Campbell, many nights I sat in that .audience at El Patio Club on Yorkville, watching the last words perform. I don’t know which years, but think 65-68. I know they were playing “give me time”, so maybe 67?
I read somewhere, Grahams account of how he wrote that song while on a bus to visit his girlfriend in I think Pickering.
Loved their music and talked a few times to Brad.
I followed his career somewhat, great that he went on to play with Janis Joplin until her untimely death.
I’m taking a seminar on 60s music, from U of T.
The course is put on by Mike Daley, you should contact him,
He is writing a book on Yorkville, right now, the Last Words and all members of your band should be in that book.
Melissa Campbell, if you are Brad’s daughter, I met you in 2006.
Brad was a fabulous musician and an even better man. I spoke with Mrs. Campbell as soon as I learned of his passing. My condolences.
👍
I met Brad in 2006. His family could not have been more hospitable. My only regret: I did not get a photo with him.
When Brad passed last year, it hurt. Rest peacefully, my Frye did!
Meant friend.
I am Brad’s wife and Brad never played with Doyle, Lawson and Quicksilver. This is also not a picture of Brad playing Three Words. This must be another Brad Campbell.
Hi Linda. I am Lori Lyne. Daughter of Al Venters Brad’s cousin. Today is the 1st i learned of his passing. So sorry to hear. My mom is still going. I will let her know. We don’t seem to be in touch with this side of the family anymore . Say hello to Noel and Sandra for me
Hi Linda: I just read about Brad’s passing. I was so sorry to find out. My very late condolences to you. I met Brad in 1968 or 1969 when I moved to Milton with my parents. I went to a high school in Oakville and my sister dated Gary Box (Graeme Box’s brother). Brad was an extremely nice and sensitive person. All the best to you. Karin Tomosky
I’ve been playing bass for 50 years. I have studied many bass players. Brad was one of the most outstanding bass players from the 60’s and 70’s. Although he was in the background visually if you closely listen to his playing he was right in front in the music. His rhythmic and harmonic choices we impeccable. He drove the Kosmic Blues Band and helped Janis achieve her best albums. He combined psychedelic rock with R&B like no one else. Listen to his playing on Tell Mama from the train festival documentary if you want to be blown away. Brad made his mark and was the real deal! RIP Brad
Hi. My name is Ian Box. I am the brother of Graeme Box. One correction, in the band’s early years they where called The Shamokins.
I knew Brad from about the age of 10 and I hung out with Brad after he returned from San Francisco for a few years. He still had his Triumph TR6.
I took the B/W picture of Brad wearing the headphones at the top of this article. It was taken shortly after his return in his mom’s basement in Clarkson, now part of Mississauga.
I have alot of fond memories listening to music under headphones in that basement with Brad. He teamed up with my brother Graeme often and they played alot of great music together. Occasionally they let me play acoustic.
Although I was a number of years younger than Brad, it never seemed to bother him. He was quite simply one of the coolest people I have have ever known. I was privileged to watch him play his bass many times. He was in that level of talent not many musicians ever reach.
He was also one of the funniest people I have ever known. Growing up he was close friends with my brother Leigh and Wayne Cooper. To see these 3 guys together often left me in tears from laughing.
He had several jobs during the time I hung out with him. He work at a Steel Mill, was a Baliff for Mississauga and got his license to drive heavy road equipment.
It was a great shock when I learned of his passing. Even though I hadn’t been in contact with him for many years I still think of him as one of my best friends from that time of my life. My most sincere condolences to Linda and her family.