Joseph L. Campbell
Encyclopedia
Joseph L. Campbell (March 27, 1942 - February 21, 2011) was a roadie for The Allman Brothers Band
at different times over a thirty year span. He wrote "The Legendary Red Dog: a Book of Tails" about his years as a roadie. In the movie Almost Famous
by writer and director Cameron Crowe
, Zack Ward
played the character "Red Dog" dedicated to Campbell.
Before Campbell became a roadie, he was a decorated Vietnam veteran
going to college. After hearing the striking slide-guitar piece that Duane Allman
added to Aretha Franklin
's recording of "The Weight
", Red Dog was enticed to see Allman perform solo. After a show, he was so impressed he felt compelled to pay Allman his respects. He still speaks of Duane with great respects today. When Duane's licks struck his ears he recalled it as if the Pied Piper was calling him. Before then music just never sounded that way and just took up space.
In the early days, Red Dog would contribute his disability checks from the government to the band, who considered its road crew a part of the Brotherhood.
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
at different times over a thirty year span. He wrote "The Legendary Red Dog: a Book of Tails" about his years as a roadie. In the movie Almost Famous
Almost Famous
Almost Famous is a 2000 musical comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe and telling the fictional story of a teenage journalist writing for Rolling Stone magazine while covering the fictitious rock band Stillwater , and his efforts to get his first cover story published...
by writer and director Cameron Crowe
Cameron Crowe
Cameron Bruce Crowe is an American screenwriter and film director. Before moving into the film industry, Crowe was a contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine, for which he still frequently writes....
, Zack Ward
Zack Ward
Zack Ward is a Canadian actor.-Life and career:Ward was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the son of actress Pam Hyatt and the brother of Carson Foster....
played the character "Red Dog" dedicated to Campbell.
Before Campbell became a roadie, he was a decorated Vietnam veteran
Vietnam veteran
Vietnam veteran is a phrase used to describe someone who served in the armed forces of participating countries during the Vietnam War.The term has been used to describe veterans who were in the armed forces of South Vietnam, the United States armed forces, and countries allied to them, whether or...
going to college. After hearing the striking slide-guitar piece that Duane Allman
Duane Allman
Howard Duane Allman was an American guitarist, session musician and the primary co-founder of the southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band...
added to Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
's recording of "The Weight
The Weight
"The Weight" is a song written by Robbie Robertson. It was released by The Band as Capitol Records single 2269 in 1968, and appeared one week later on the group's debut album Music from Big Pink. The song is listed as #41 on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs of All Time published in 2004, and...
", Red Dog was enticed to see Allman perform solo. After a show, he was so impressed he felt compelled to pay Allman his respects. He still speaks of Duane with great respects today. When Duane's licks struck his ears he recalled it as if the Pied Piper was calling him. Before then music just never sounded that way and just took up space.
In the early days, Red Dog would contribute his disability checks from the government to the band, who considered its road crew a part of the Brotherhood.