Joseph L. Campbell

Who was Joseph L. Campbell?

Joseph L. Campbell was a roadie for The Allman Brothers Band at different times over a thirty year span. He wrote "The Legendary Red Dog: a Book of Tails" about his years as a roadie. In the movie Almost Famous by writer and director Cameron Crowe, Zack Ward played the character "Red Dog" dedicated to Campbell.

Before embarking on a career as a roadie, Campbell was a decorated Vietnam veteran attending college. After hearing the striking slide-guitar piece Duane Allman added to Aretha Franklin's recording of "The Weight", Campbell was determined to see Allman perform solo. After the show, he stayed to tell Allman how much he admired his work. He later recalled that it seemed as if the Pied Piper was calling him and that music never sounded the same to him afterwards.

In the early days, Red Dog would contribute his disability checks from the government to the band, which considered its road crew an essential part of the Allman Brotherhood.