Well, first off, I was introduced to John Campbell through Playboy magazine. I had read about him in the music section (indeed, I look at the pictures too) and the review was very positive. I went out that day and picked up "Howlin Mercy". A day or two later I located "One Believer" and proceeded to memorize that album as well.
As luck would have it, I read in the local independent newspaper (Creative Loafing) that John was coming in concert to Blind Willie's. I called a friend of mine to see if she wanted to go. Turns out, she thought I wasn't going to make it so she bagged going to the show. As Lyle Lovett says "…she made her first mistake".
I got to the show and quickly found out it was packed. I managed to get the best standing spot in the bar. There were tables right in front of the stage, tables along the wall to the far left (facing the stage) and stools at the bar. I managed to hook up with a couple that were right behind the tables in front of the stage. Being six feet tall, I was well positioned.
I cannot recall the order of all the songs, I can only remember he did "When the Levee Breaks" at the very end of his show and it brought the house DOWN. He thoroughly rocked his ass off the entire night. I was covered with sweat and completely exhausted at the end of the show. If he had played all night, I would have had to call in to work the next day.
After the show, I milled around a little bit in the bar with my new friends before leaving. Being the big groupie that I am, I took my copy of "Howling Mercy" with me. The gods were with me. No sooner did I leave the club than I walked right up to John standing outside his bus. He was a tall man, taller than me for sure. He had this big smile on his face, as did I. I said to him "That was an excellent show!! You completely rocked!!!" He smiled and said "Thanks". I shook his hand and asked him for an autograph. I made the wry comment "I don't know if you saw me in there or not, but I just loved the show." He replied "Yes, I saw you. What's your name?" I told him and he signed my CD "To Dan - all the best. John Campbell" along the neck of the guitar in the liner notes.
What really blew my mind was the fact that nearly no one else came up to him to meet him. He was just standing there, he was wearing a vest of some sort and that indian necklace that looks like it is made of wooden pieces that form a "V".
As far as my friend is concerned, she laments the fact that she underestimated my resolve to see him. I'd say that's an understatement. - Dan Asher
Used with Permission. Copyright © 2003 Dan Asher