In July 1992, two of country’s biggest names, Charley Pride and Glen Campbell, honored Marty Robbins with a joint performance of his biggest hit, “El Paso,” at Crosby Clambake in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The song was a chart-topper not only in country but also in pop. It even won the singer the first awarded Grammy for Best Country & Western song.
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“El Paso” Stripped Down Version by Charley Pride and Glen Campbell
The performance opened with Campbell saying thanks, and a loud round of applause from the audience echoed. He was alone on stage with his guitar hanging on his shoulder and a mic stand in front of him. Then he looked over at the side of the stage, asking someone, “Are you ready?” The man gave him a thumbs-up. He then said, “Let’s get him back out here, ladies and gentlemen.”
To the delight of many fans, it was Charley Pride. Campbell didn’t miss a beat, and as soon as Pride walked to centerstage, he got into it and started playing. And Pride quickly jumped on it singing, “Just for a moment, I stood there in silence / Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done.” And as he sang, Campbell played with a big smile on his face.
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When the next verse hit, the two joined together in harmony, and it was definitely a treat to the ears. Campbell’s warm, bright voice perfectly matched with Pride’s deep, husky sound.
Aside from their powerful vocals, Campbell also showed his guitar-playing skills. One of the memorable instrumental moments in the performance was the part right after the lines, “I can see Rosa’s cantina below” and “Down off the hill to Felina I go.”
For You
In between, Pride even made a playful push Campbell by the knee as he sang the line, “My love is strong, and it pushes me onward.” At one point, he even mimicked his fellow singer’s skillful play and the guitar’s sound and made some funny comments. When they sang the line, “I feel the bullet go deep in my chest,” he went to act like he was in pain and then said, “Whoop! That hurt.”
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They would even face each other and smile, thoroughly enjoying their duet.
The performance ended with the two of them raising their arms and thanking everyone while the audience gave their approval with a standing ovation.
If you’re looking for a good old ‘90s country music performance, check out Charley Pride and Glen Campbell’s “El Paso” version in the video below.
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