Jimmy Layne Webb is a highly acclaimed American songwriter, composer, and singer. His career began with remarkable early success, earning him a Grammy Award for Song of the Year at the young age of 21. Throughout his career, Webb has solidified his place as one of the most accomplished and celebrated songwriters and composers in the United States. He is known for writing numerous hit songs across various genres, contributing significantly to American popular music.
1940: BMI Recognition for "By the Time I Get to Phoenix"
By 1940, BMI recognized "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" as the third most performed song in the 50 years between 1940 and 1990.
August 15, 1946: Birth of Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Layne Webb was born on August 15, 1946.
1961: Webb Buys First Record
At age 14 in 1961, Webb bought his first record, "Turn Around, Look at Me" by Glen Campbell, marking an important influence in his musical journey.
1964: Move to California and Mother's Death
In 1964, Webb moved to Southern California with his family and attended San Bernardino Valley College. After his mother's death, his father planned to return to Oklahoma, but Webb stayed in California to pursue his musical career with his father's support.
1965: First Commercial Recording
The Supremes recorded Webb's song "My Christmas Tree" for their 1965 album Merry Christmas, marking his first commercial recording.
1966: Meeting Johnny Rivers and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix"
In 1966, Webb met Johnny Rivers, who signed him to a publishing deal and recorded "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" on his album Changes.
May 1967: "Up, Up and Away" Release
The 5th Dimension released "Up, Up and Away" as a single in May 1967, which became a Top Ten hit.
November 1967: Glen Campbell Releases "By the Time I Get to Phoenix"
Glen Campbell released his version of "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" in November 1967, reaching number 26 on the charts.
June 22, 1968: "MacArthur Park" Reaches Number 2
Richard Harris's version of "MacArthur Park" reached No. 2 on the Hot 100 on June 22, 1968.
1968: Grammy Awards for "Up, Up and Away" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix"
At the 1968 Grammy Awards, "Up, Up and Away" won Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Both "Up, Up and Away" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" received a total of eight Grammy Awards.
1968: Release of "Jim Webb Sings Jim Webb"
Epic Records released the album "Jim Webb Sings Jim Webb" in 1968, an album Webb considered "counterfeit."
1968: Frank Sinatra Records "By the Time I Get to Phoenix"
Frank Sinatra recorded "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" in 1968, later calling it "the greatest torch song ever written."
1968: Release of "Didn't We?"
Frank Sinatra recorded "Didn't We?", originally a B-side by Richard Harris in 1968, on his 1969 My Way album.
1968: Time Magazine Acknowledges Webb and String of Hit Songs
In 1968, Time magazine recognized Webb's talent. Several of his songs became hits that year, including the 5th Dimension's "Paper Cup" and "Carpet Man", Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman", and Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge's "Worst That Could Happen".
1969: Grammy Awards for Webb
Webb won Grammy Awards for "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman," and "MacArthur Park" in 1969.
1969: More Webb Hits and Thelma Houston Album
In 1969, Glen Campbell had hits with Webb's "Galveston" and "Where's the Playground Susie". Isaac Hayes and Waylon Jennings also had hits with Webb's songs. Webb wrote, arranged, and produced Thelma Houston's first album, Sunshower.
1970: Release of "Words and Music"
Jimmy Webb released his album "Words and Music" in 1970.
1971: Release of "And So: On"
Jimmy Webb released his album "And So: On" in 1971.
1972: Release of "Letters"
Jimmy Webb released his album "Letters" in 1972.
1973: Near-Fatal Overdose
In 1973, Webb overdosed on phencyclidine while using the drug with Harry Nilsson. He also used cocaine with Nilsson and John Lennon during this period.
1974: Release of "Land's End"
Jimmy Webb released his album "Land's End" in 1974.
1977: Release of "El Mirage"
Jimmy Webb released his album "El Mirage" in 1977.
1986: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 1986, Jimmy Webb was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
1990: Induction into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
Jimmy Webb was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1990.
1993: National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1993, Jimmy Webb received the National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award.
2000: Achieves Sobriety
By 2000, after struggling with addiction to substances like alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine for many years, Webb became clean and sober, marking a significant turning point in his life. He had stopped using cocaine in the early 1990s and revived his performing career.
2003: Songwriters Hall of Fame Johnny Mercer Award
Jimmy Webb received the Songwriters Hall of Fame Johnny Mercer Award in 2003.
2006: ASCAP "Voice of Music" Award
In 2006, Jimmy Webb received the ASCAP "Voice of Music" Award.
2012: Ivor Novello Special International Award
Jimmy Webb received the Ivor Novello Special International Award in 2012.
2019: "Wichita Lineman" Added to National Recording Registry
"Wichita Lineman" was added to the National Recording Registry in 2019.