Jimmy Webb, a renowned singer, songwriter, and composer, was born on August 15, 1946, in Elk City, Oklahoma. His father, a Baptist minister, played a significant role in shaping his early love for music. Webb made his first public appearance as a performer, playing the organ at his father's church, where he also improvised, rearranged, and re-harmonized hymns.
Jimmy began his composing career with religious songs and fronted his own rock 'n' roll band. In 1964, the Webb family moved to Colton, California, and Jimmy attended San Bernardino Valley College, where he studied music. His first job in the music industry was transcribing other people's songs.
The turning point in Webb's career came in 1967, when he penned the hit songs "Up, Up and Away" for The 5th Dimension and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" for Glen Campbell. This was followed by several more hit songs for Campbell, including "Galveston," "Wichita Lineman," and "Where's the Playground, Susie."
Webb's extensive discography features collaborations with notable artists such as Richard Harris, Johnny Maestro, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, and Joe Cocker. His ballad "The Highwayman" was a country success when covered by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson in the late 1980s.
In addition to his songwriting, Webb has composed scores for films and television shows, including "Doc," "The Naked Ape," "Voices," "The Last Unicorn," and "Tales from the Crypt." His songs have been featured on the soundtracks of numerous movies, including "How Sweet It Is!," "American Pop," "The Fabulous Baker Boys," and "Bridget Jones's Diary."
Jimmy Webb is a member of both the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriter's Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1999 and subsequently became a member of the Board of Directors for the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in early 2000.
Throughout his illustrious career, Jimmy Webb has received widespread critical acclaim for his solo albums, including "Words and Music," "And So: On," "Letters," "Land's End," "El Mirage," "Angel Heart," "Suspending Disbelief," "Twilight of the Renegades," and "Live and At Large."
