Jimmy Webb
Born 1946 · Age 79
American songwriter, composer, and singer best known for hit songs such as "Up, Up and Away", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "MacArthur Park" and "Wichita Lineman"; multi-Grammy winner and highly recorded composer.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Elk City, Oklahoma
James Layne Webb born to Robert Lee Webb (Baptist minister) and Sylvia Webb in Elk City, Oklahoma; raised in Laverne, Oklahoma.
Playing piano/organ in father's church choir
By age 12 Webb was accompanying his father's church choir on piano and organ and began improvising and rearranging hymns.
Bought first record (Glen Campbell) — musical influence
At age 14 Webb bought his first record, Glen Campbell's "Turn Around, Look at Me", beginning a friendship and musical influence with Campbell.
Family moved to Southern California; mother dies
Webb and his family moved to Southern California; his mother Sylvia died in 1964. Webb remained in California to study music at San Bernardino Valley College.
Father gives Webb $40 to stay in California
After deciding to stay in California to pursue songwriting, Webb's father gave him $40 to support his decision.
BMI recognition for 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix' (historical note)
BMI acknowledged that 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix' was among the most performed songs in the 50 years between 1940 and 1990 (third-most performed according to BMI).
First commercial recording: 'My Christmas Tree' (The Supremes)
Webb's first song to be commercially recorded was "My Christmas Tree" by The Supremes (appeared on Merry Christmas album).
Signed songwriting contract with Jobete (Motown publishing)
Webb was signed to a songwriting contract with Jobete Music, Motown's publishing arm.
Johnny Rivers records 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix'
Johnny Rivers records Webb's song; this helped introduce Webb's songwriting to a wider audience.
Johnny Rivers' album 'Rewind' features seven Webb songs
Johnny Rivers' Rewind (1967) featured seven songs written by Webb, boosting his profile as a songwriter.
Contributed five songs to the 5th Dimension debut — 'Up, Up and Away'
Webb contributed five songs to the 5th Dimension debut album; title track "Up, Up and Away" released May 1967 and reached the Top Ten.
Glen Campbell releases 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix' single
Glen Campbell's version reached #26 on the charts and further established Webb as a major songwriter.
Forms Canopy production and publishing company
Webb founded his own production and publishing company, Canopy, and its first project was Richard Harris' album A Tramp Shining.
Wins Grammy Award (Song of the Year) — early career acclaim
Webb won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year (for "Up, Up and Away") at ~age 21, establishing him early as a leading songwriter.
Richard Harris 'MacArthur Park' reaches No. 2 on Hot 100
Richard Harris's recording of Webb's "MacArthur Park" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 (June 22, 1968).
Richard Harris 'MacArthur Park' reaches No. 4 UK Singles Chart
Harris's version of "MacArthur Park" reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart (July 24, 1968).
Glen Campbell hits with Webb songs — 'Galveston' and more
Glen Campbell scored hits with Webb songs including "Galveston" and "Where's the Playground Susie" in 1969, continuing Webb's commercial success.
Writes, arranges and produces Thelma Houston's debut 'Sunshower'
Webb wrote/arranged/produced Thelma Houston's first album, Sunshower, expanding his role as producer.
Accepts multiple Grammy Awards for his songs
At the 1969 Grammys Webb accepted awards for songs including "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", and "MacArthur Park" (recognition of the late-60s string of hits).
Releases debut solo album 'Words and Music'
Webb released his first solo album as a performer, Words and Music (1970), to critical acclaim though his primary success remained songwriting for others.
Releases solo album 'And So: On'
Second solo album And So: On (1971) received critical praise and continued Webb's career as a performer.
Releases solo album 'Letters' and produces The Supremes album
Webb released Letters (1972) and produced The Supremes' album 'The Supremes Produced And Arranged By Jimmy Webb.'
Releases 'Land's End' (recorded in England with star session band)
Land's End (1974) featured contributions from Joni Mitchell, Ringo Starr and Nigel Olsson and a more produced pop/rock sound.
Marries Patricia 'Patsy' Sullivan
Webb married Patricia Sullivan at Jim Messina's Ojai ranch. Patsy was mother of his 17-month-old son Christiaan; notable musicians attended their wedding.
Releases 'El Mirage' produced by George Martin
El Mirage (1977), produced and arranged by George Martin, featured 'The Highwayman' (later a huge country hit for The Highwaymen).
Donna Summer's disco cover of 'MacArthur Park' tops charts
Donna Summer's disco version of "MacArthur Park" became a multi-million-selling single and spent three weeks at #1 in 1978, renewing Webb's royalties from the composition.
Several artists record Webb songs (Thelma Houston, Tanya Tucker, Frank Sinatra covers)
Webb's songs continued to be recorded by major artists (e.g., Frank Sinatra recorded 'MacArthur Park' for Trilogy in 1980).
Moves to New York state
Webb relocated to New York state and began a period focusing on larger-scale projects beyond pop singles.
Releases solo album 'Angel Heart' and composes film/TV scores
Angel Heart (1982) released; Webb produced soundtrack for animated film The Last Unicorn and composed the soundtrack to the TV series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Song 'Highwayman' recorded by The Highwaymen (Cash, Jennings, Nelson, Kristofferson)
The supergroup The Highwaymen recorded Webb's 'Highwayman' for the 1985 Highwayman album; the song later won a Grammy for Best Country Song (for a later recording by the group).
Produces cantata 'The Animals' Christmas'
Webb produced the cantata The Animals' Christmas (1986) featuring Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Webb was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in recognition of his prolific songwriting career.
Produces soundtrack for 'The Hanoi Hilton' and reunites with Glen Campbell
Webb produced The Hanoi Hilton soundtrack and reunited with Glen Campbell for the album Still Within the Sound of My Voice (1987/1988 sessions).
Toto records Webb's 'Home of the Brave'
Toto recorded "Home of the Brave" (1988), another example of late-80s artists recording Webb songs.
Linda Ronstadt records four Webb songs on Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind
Linda Ronstadt's 1989 album featured four Webb songs, with Webb contributing piano and arrangements on several tracks.
Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
Recognition from the Nashville songwriting community with a Hall of Fame induction.
Kenny Rogers records Webb song
Kenny Rogers recorded "They Just Don't Make Em Like You Anymore" for Back Home Again (1991), continuing Webb's presence in major recordings.
Completes musical 'Instant Intimacy'
Webb completed the musical Instant Intimacy, developed with the Tennessee Repertory Theatre; performed live at Cinegrill introducing new songs.
Releases 'Suspending Disbelief' and honored at New York tribute concerts
Webb released the critically acclaimed solo album Suspending Disbelief (1993) and was the subject of two New York tribute concerts featuring popular artists performing his songs.
Receives National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award
The National Academy of Songwriters awarded Webb its Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his body of work.
Contributes to AIDS benefit album Red Hot + Country
Teamed with Nanci Griffith to contribute "If These Old Walls Could Speak" to the Red Hot + Country benefit produced by the Red Hot Organization.
Family music collaboration: Webb Brothers and 'Cottonwood Farm'
Webb collaborated with his sons (Christiaan, Justin and James) on the album Cottonwood Farm, which also featured his father Bob Webb.
Releases 'Ten Easy Pieces'
Webb released the album Ten Easy Pieces (1996), a critically praised project of his compositions interpreted by others and himself.
Divorce from Patricia 'Patsy' Sullivan
Webb and Patricia Sullivan divorced in 1996 after a marriage that began in 1974; they had six children together.
Co-produces Carly Simon's 'Film Noir' album
Webb co-produced Carly Simon's Film Noir and contributed vocals, orchestration and piano; the project was filmed for an AMC documentary (premiered Sept 1997).
Publishes 'Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting'
Webb's first book, a practical and acclaimed guide to songwriting, was published by Hyperion and became a best-seller among songwriters.
Receives the Songwriters Hall of Fame Johnny Mercer Award
Webb received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame recognizing lifetime achievement.
Marries Laura Savini
Webb married Laura Savini (PBS host/producer) in 2004 after first meeting her backstage at a Billy Joel concert in 1999 and reconnecting later.
Receives ASCAP 'Voice of Music' Award
Webb was honored by ASCAP with its 'Voice of Music' Award in recognition of his influence on music.
Releases live album 'Live and at Large'
Webb released a live album recorded in the UK that included stories and anecdotes about his career.
Appears in documentary 'The Wrecking Crew'
Webb appears in the film The Wrecking Crew (2008), providing insights into the LA session musician scene of the 1960s.
Releases 'Just Across the River' (feat. many guest artists)
Album Just Across the River released June 2010, featuring guest appearances by Vince Gill, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell and others.
Public acknowledgment of substance abuse in memoirs/interviews
Webb has been candid in memoirs and interviews about past substance abuse (cocaine, marijuana); these admissions appear in his writings and interviews.
Elected chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Webb was unanimously elected chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, replacing Hal David after his retirement.
Receives Ivor Novello Special International Award
Webb traveled to London in May 2012 to receive the Ivor Novello Special International Award for extraordinary contribution to global music.
Fantasy Records releases 'Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb: In Session'
Fantasy Records released a collaborative album and DVD filmed/recorded in December 1988 documenting sessions with Glen Campbell and Webb.
Releases 'Still Within the Sound of My Voice'
Webb released Still Within the Sound of My Voice (2013), a later solo album expanding his catalog of recordings.
Publishes autobiography 'The Cake and the Rain: A Memoir'
Webb published his memoir recounting his life, relationships, substance use, and songwriting career.
'Wichita Lineman' added to National Recording Registry
Webb's composition 'Wichita Lineman' was added to the U.S. National Recording Registry in 2019 in recognition of its cultural significance.
Long career continuing as performer and composer
Decades after his first successes, Webb continues to perform and influence songwriters; multiple contemporary artists cite him as an influence.
'MacArthur Park' included in Beetlejuice soundtrack
In 2024, Webb's song 'MacArthur Park' (recordings by Donna Summer and Richard Harris) was included on the Beetlejuice soundtrack.
Key Achievement Ages
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