JOHN CAMPBELL - 1934 National Steel Guitar

[cecisplendor67]

in my opinion maybe it was a haunted guitar....with the devil inside...or maybe somebody has put a spell on him..........Cecilia Ciaschi

[anitadavideduo]

Great!!!

[potatoradio]

I ran across a national few years back the thing almost played it's self - lol with me playing, that is almost nessicary. At the same time it was spooky like having music in a fire hose waiting to be let go.

[wc4dblues]

Yea thats how you find "your" guitar, great story! I love it. I got my National one day under a friends house,he picked it up and started to throw it,saying " this thing is always in the way" I screamed NO thats a National. It was a wreck,but I loved it back to life. And some folks say guitars aren't alive.

[SotR59]

wow, talk about an axe having "Mojo".

[1RoaringMonk]

two words- bob brozman

[Babaziba]

Had the pleasure of meeting John when he opened for Buddy Guy in Orlando and seeing his set. An amazing musician (as is evident here). Always a shame when a great artist passes just as they're getting noticed.

[konstantinoskal]

many thanks to the uploader

[MrPie76]

John Campbell era veramente un grande bluesman. Peccato che in Italia non lo conosce quasi nessuno!!!

[PinkOld]

Damn, but that guitar must have some serious mojo, if it really is true that Lightnin' played it.

There really is something special about those old Nationals, a little extra that no other guitar even approaches.

[CaligulaNemi]

simply great

[michaelleigh]

NEVER heard of Lightnin' Hopkins playing a National....and no recorded evidence.

[kiwibluesman]

have you spoken to hopkins family? or ever speak to rocky hill that played lightnins national at his funeral at the request of hopkins family?...

not everything is black and white my friend.

enjoy the music.

[playon51]

@kiwibluesman

If Lightin ever used it, one there are no photos of him using it, and no recordings of it.

[xeridian]

@kiwibluesman Lightnin' Lived in Houston's Third Ward most of his life where he would have gotten it.

That thing ha some ghosts inside, beautiful sound....

[ponygyrrl]

@michaelleigh you questioning the Night Tripper??

[mcleanartists]

@michaelleigh amen.

[HempFriend]

what a awesome sound!

RIP John

[beyondalohas]

RIP John, gone just when it was your time, indeed! Truly missed

[minutegongcoughs]

Tx for sharing

[kiwibluesman]

do some research...

this guitar was lightnins personal guitar... rocky hill played amazing grace on it at lightnins funeral.

... haven't heard lightnin play steel/slide? you haven't listened to all the lightnin out there...

'cracker' indeed.... get a life you douchebag

[AllKindsaGirls]

your the douchebag man. "do some research" blah blah blah.

get over yourself.

[moldybrain141]

lightnin hopkins played a gibson j50 cracker

[BlindLemonJaffaCake]

It's hard to watch this and all John's videos and not feel terribly sad that he left the world too soon, along with Rory, and Rainer. But their music lives on for all time.

[ElmoLewiss]

i dunno who the hell john campbell is, but WOW that is some groovy mullet!

[gaelicbanshee]

Two points:

First, You NEED to learn who he is. An incredible player and nice fella.

Second, that is NOT a mullet ---he always pulled his hair back [ala D.D. Lewis in Last of the Mohicans].

[ElmoLewiss]

i dont NEED to do anything you say ok chief, i really dont care if hes a "nice fella" or not. my point is he has a mullet with no equal except maybe billy ray cyrus.

[gaelicbanshee]

Hey, you little sawed-off Pencil Dick---he does not have a mullet!

[ElmoLewiss]

ok, he doesn't have a mullet, he's got a nice billy ray cyrus hairdo then.

[beyondalohas]

You got-it Bro!! thats right!! Loved his racing too! even if those didnt hear of him, it was obvious he payed his dues and had his Voodoo on! ; )

[TheJinxBlues]

What does he tell us? Lightnin´ Hopkins played a National guitar? Strange.

[boscotukamunga]

lightnin hopkins played THAT guitar.

[jeb419]

Wow that thing sounds amazing. The new ones sound nothing like the vintage Nationals, and that one sounds nicer than most I've heard, judging by this little clip

[KINGSLIDEGUITAR]

@jeb419

thats right I have a 1931 triolian its the best national I have heard,, the new ones done get that good of a sound..BUT the dealers and National Reps claim they do to help sell their new ones...

[fendermac]

Thanks to bleadbelly1 for the share.Great man rip

[BLSNick]

My uncle has a 1930 martin, best sounding acoustic i have ever played in my life.

[BlindLemonJaffaCake]

A true shining star of blues guitar!!! God bless you, John. You were one of the all time greats. Now, you're up there above us jamming with Rory Gallagher and Rainer Ptacek. And how I wish I was at that gig in the sky. Rest in peace, your music will live on forever.

[resoblues]

Yes gone way too soon. God how many times have I left the store and gone back the next day. Wish we could but bring this man back the same.

[Zoffio]

John Campbell is one of my favourite bluesmen. I saw this video many years ago on the italian TV (i think was 1993). Thank you very much for this video.

[chicklet202]

i acually have a national steele guitar only mine is an electric lap version its pretty old

[kiwibluesman]

Indeed, he was a real force. An incredible Player.

This particular guitar is not currently being played.

For some years after his death it was in the possession of someone who knew they should return it to its owner.. I'm happy to say that the guitar is now home with its rightful owner, but i do wish that this guitar could be played by someone that can try and continue the tradition... perhaps one day, who knows.... somehow, I'm sure the guitar will live and breathe again

[hhdacount]

If someone should play it now it has to be Eric Sardinas. Also a wizzard on the steel guitar.

Check him out here on youtube.

[boogertoots]

I would love to play that resonator!!

~Derek

[gindiaries]

@kiwibluesman Where is the guitar now?

[jipes]

He was a great performer and a true blues artist, I wish someone is now playing this guitar with the same passion and love for the Blues music !

[pescadoygamba]

man,the cd Howlin mercy is wicked.

[vanillabloos]

The real deal!!