Eddie C. Campbell - Biography

Biography

Campbell moved to Chicago, Illinois, when he was ten years old, and by age 12 had already jammed with Muddy Waters, and learned first hand from Waters, Magic Sam and Otis Rush. In his early years as a professional musician, Campbell played as a sideman with Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Little Johnny Taylor, and Jimmy Reed. In 1976, Willie Dixon hired him to play in the Chicago Blues All-Stars. Campbell's debut album, King of the Jungle was released the following year, with accompaniment from Carey Bell (harmonica) and Lafayette Leake (piano). His later recordings were enhanced by a discipline not always evident in his life.

In 1984, Campbell left Chicago for Europe, settling initially in the Netherlands, later in Duisburg, Germany. He worked there for a decade before returning to Chicago in the 1990s.

Campbell's latest album is Spider Eating Preacher (Delmark, 2012). It was nominated fro a Blues Music Award in 2013 in the 'Traditional Blues Album' category.

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 then started an Eddie C. Campbell Assistance Fund to raise money to fly him back to Chicago for further medical treatment.