Reflections on Fame and Songwriting

Singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb on how growing up as the child of an Oklahoma preacher opened up a door to music, and inspired his songwriting (R)

Jimmy Webb grew up poor in Oklahoma, where his mother encouraged him to play the piano, revealing a prodigious musical talent.

After moving to Los Angeles, Jimmy wrote his first hit for the Fifth Dimension: Up, Up And Away.

Shortly after, he met Glen Campbell, who had already recorded Jimmy's song By the Time I Get to Phoenix.

Glen asked Jimmy to write a song especially for him - Wichita Lineman, which became another huge hit for Campbell.

Jimmy's many other famous songs, including MacArthur Park, Adios, and The Highwayman, have been recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Isaac Hayes, Barbra Streisand, Art Garfunkel and Donna Summer.

While he's best known as a songwriter, Jimmy is a renowned performer in his own right.

This episode of Conversations explores music history, rock music, Americana, Hollywood, the recording industry, the Mid-west, middle America, religion, origin stories, personal stories, celebrity culture, country music, rock n roll, songwriting, yacht rock.