The songwriting legend on drinking with Richard Harris and flying a glider over Death Valley without his glasses on: “If you had to land, you’d be up Shit Creek…”
“Sinatra was delighted to find a guy my age who knew how to write – or at least fake – a traditional sounding song”
I’M GOOD, BuT I seem to be sneezing,” says Jimmy Webb on the phone from his New York home. “Must be allergies. I hope I can get through this interview without… you know, ‘Achooo’.”
Webb’s first commercial recording was “My Christmas Tree” by the Supremes in 1965. Since then, he has become one of music’s most successful songwriters, penning hits including “up, up And Away”, “By The Time I Get To Phoenix”, “Wichita Lineman” and “MacArthur Park”. His songs have been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and many others, but undoubtedly his most successful and longest-running collaborative relationship is with Glen Campbell, which includes over 80 songs.
“When I began as a commercial songwriter, I could write anything you wanted about anything,” he says. “I could usually do a pretty good imitation of any writer. I could write a Hal David, Burt Bacharach song in a second. I could do a Beatles song if I wanted, country songs, musical comedy, musical theatre, film scores. I was Jack Of All trades. I was always very proud of my versatility. That was pretty much what I asked for when I consulted my runes. You know, ‘God, please make me able to make a living in this business.’”
In September, Webb will visit the uK to honour Campbell for a series of shows. Meanwhile, Webb tackles the Uncut inbox, on subjects ranging from drinking with Richard Harris, glider trips over Death Valley and the strange dream that inspired one of his best-known songs…
Star question
When did you last see PF Sloan?
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