Maps of Music
The Big Bad Rock Guitar of Glen Campbell (1965)
Where the lyrics of The Big Bad Rock Guitar of Glen Campbell take you, and where it was really made.
Glen Campbell's album is nearly wordless: a vocal chorus sings only melody lines on many tracks, and the rest of the record is instrumental.
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Recording at Capitol Studios, Hollywood (1965)
Recording site Capitol Studios — The source links this album's recording to Capitol Studios in Hollywood. The marker is placed at the studio's location. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Album story
Overview
- The Big Bad Rock Guitar of Glen Campbell: fourth studio album by American singer-guitarist Glen Campbell
- Released in 1965 by Capitol Records
- Almost entirely instrumental; the only voices are a vocal chorus singing wordless melody lines on many tracks
- Glen Campbell is credited on electric guitar
- Twelve tracks in total, six on each side
- Covers of songs by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Roger Miller and Monty Norman's James Bond theme
- Two tracks credited to Glen Campbell himself: 'Spanish Shades' and 'Spring Mist'
- Track lengths run from 1:54 to 2:46, so every track is short
- Total running time adds up to about 28 minutes
Recording
- Steve Douglas credited as producer
- Billy Strange credited as arranger and conductor
- Joe Polito credited as engineer
- Billy Strange also credited as writer of 'The Lone Arranger' and, with Bill Pitman, of 'Sassy'
- Recording location linked to Capitol Studios in Hollywood
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Artist
Formation
- Born April 22, 1936 in Billstown, Arkansas; began as a session guitarist in Los Angeles from 1960.
- Joined the studio group later known as The Wrecking Crew and played on recordings by many major artists.
Career
- Began a solo career in 1961; breakthrough hits included "Gentle on My Mind", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", and "Wichita Lineman" in 1967–1968.
- Hosted The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS from 1969 to 1972.
- Released 64 albums across five decades and sold over 45 million records worldwide.
- Hit "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Southern Nights" in the mid-1970s were both US number one songs.
- Won four Grammys in 1967 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Personal and final years
- Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2011; retired in 2013 after recording his final song.
- Died August 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee, at age 81.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Reception
At release
- Released in 1965 by Capitol Records
- Fourth studio album by Glen Campbell
- Vocal chorus on many tracks, singing wordless melody lines, with the rest entirely instrumental
- Glen Campbell credited on electric guitar
- Steve Douglas credited as producer, Billy Strange as arranger and conductor, Joe Polito as engineer
Records
- Side 1 track 1: 'Walk, Don't Run' by Johnny Smith, 1:54
- Side 1 track 2: 'Ticket to Ride' by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, 2:18
- Side 1 track 3: 'Steve's Shuck' by Steven D. Kreisman, 2:42
- Side 1 track 4: 'Spanish Shades' by Glen Campbell, 2:34
- Side 1 track 5: 'The Lone Arranger' by Billy Strange, 2:07
- Side 1 track 6: 'The James Bond Theme' by Monty Norman, 2:17
- Side 2 track 1: 'It's Not Unusual' by Gordon Mills and Les Reed, 2:11
- Side 2 track 2: 'King of the Road' by Roger Miller, 2:12
- Side 2 track 3: 'Sassy' by Bill Pitman and Billy Strange, 2:08
- Side 2 track 4: 'Mr. Tambourine Man' by Bob Dylan, 2:46
- Side 2 track 5: 'Spring Mist' by Glen Campbell, 2:13
- Side 2 track 6: 'Beef Jerky' by Steven D. Kreisman, 2:35
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Trivia
- The second track on side one is 'Ticket to Ride,' credited to John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
- Side two opens with 'It's Not Unusual,' credited to Gordon Mills and Les Reed.
- 'Mr. Tambourine Man' by Bob Dylan is the fourth track on side two.
- Side one closes with 'The James Bond Theme' by Monty Norman, at 2:17.
- Steven D. Kreisman is credited on two tracks, 'Steve's Shuck' and 'Beef Jerky.'
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
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