On This Day in 1967, Glen Campbell Released the Jimmy Webb-Penned Hit That Helped Make Him a Country Music Superstar
Glen Campbell released “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” on 23 October 1967, beginning a successful partnership with songwriter Jimmy Webb. The song became Campbell’s first country top 10 and his first pop top 40 hit, helping establish him as a major country star.
The track peaked at No. 2 on the Hot Country Songs chart in January 1968 and reached No. 26 on the Hot 100. It was the first Webb-penned single Campbell released; Webb later wrote hits including “Galveston” and “Wichita Lineman”. Johnny Rivers had recorded the song in 1966, and Campbell created a new arrangement after hearing that version. The song won two Grammy awards, and its album received Album of the Year the following year.
In short
- Campbell released the song on 23 October 1967.
- It became his first country top 10 and pop top 40 hit.
- Jimmy Webb later wrote more hits for Campbell.
Explained simply
Glen Campbell was an American singer and guitarist who worked across country and pop music. In the 1960s, country artists increasingly reached audiences beyond country radio, and Campbell’s recordings helped broaden his profile.
Jimmy Webb was a songwriter whose songs were recorded by several artists. Campbell’s version of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” was the first Webb-written single he released; Webb later wrote songs for him including “Galveston” and “Wichita Lineman”.
The song had already been recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1966. Campbell made a new arrangement, and the recording’s success on both country and pop charts helped establish him as a major star and brought Webb’s songwriting to a wider audience.