Red Dog of The Allman Brothers Band is Still Keepin' 'em Rockin'
He's the most famous "roadie" on the planet, no matter how you slice the pie. Joseph "Red Dog" Campbell, the hard working, hard tripping, hard loving road crew legend has been there since the glory days of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley, and he is still there. Setting up the drums for Butch and Jaimoe and Marc's percussion. Red Dog has long been known for his "tales," his road stories shared between brothers and the few select and special friends. Now, Red Dog has collected the best of those "tails" into a new book that is a must for any Allman Brothers Band fan. The Legendary Red Dog really is a legend.
Cameron Crow, the producer of "Almost Famous," a movie that draws heavily upon the real life adventures of The Allman Brothers Band, actually wrote Red Dog into his movie by name. What a tribute to the "world's most famous roadie." The following is a letter Crowe sent to Red Dog. Further proof that the Dog has been a legend since time began.
"I'll admit it right now. I am a big fan of Red Dog, and have been even before he allowed me to interview him back in 1973 for a story in Rolling Stone. Hell, he was already legendary back then. But now I just have to say that I am extremely jealous of the Great Dog, because I've just finished reading "A Book of Tails." True rock, the kind that lasts forever, is about honesty and humor and love and chasing the elusive buzz of greatness.
Red Dog's book captures all this and more. You can't put this thing down, and best of all, it makes you want to listen to music. Not just the Brothers, but all music. Red Dog really caught something with his writing. This book, and a copy of "Live at Fillmore East" belong in the time capsule reading -- Kick back and see what you missed. Two centuries from now I doubt anybody will have said it better. As you can tell, I'm still a fan.
Love you Dog.
Best, Cameron Crowe
Vinyl Films, Los Angeles, CA
We spoke with Red Dog via the land line from his home. He was deeply involved in rigging a 'squirrel trap' at the time. He had suspended a peanut from a string that hung from the branch of a tree. When the squirrel would move toward the peanut, Campbell's German shepherd would dive for the squirrel. "Evening up the odds," he called it. All in a day's work for the mighty Red Dog. GRITZ was extremely grateful to be granted an interview with the Crimson one, and for his personal insight into the legendary Allman Brothers Band.
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