The Glen Campbell Song That Gave a Country Supergroup Their Name and a Hit Song of Their Own

With a number of chart-topping hits, Glen Campbell was a huge figure in country music who influenced countless musicians who came after him—including a country supergroup who took their name from one of his songs.

“The Highwayman” was originally recorded in 1977 by Jimmy Webb. The lyrics tell the story of a man who was reincarnated four times—his first life was as a highwayman, then he returned as a sailor, construction worker on the Hoover Dam, and captain of a starship.

Campbell followed with his own version in 1979, titled “Highwayman,” and it was this version that country superstars Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson heard when they were together filming Cash’s annual Christmas TV special in Switzerland in 1985. When they decided to continue collaborating as a country supergroup—the very first—they took their name from the song and called themselves The Highwaymen, although they didn’t adopt the name until their first two albums had already been released. Both albums, Highwayman and Highwayman 2, were also named for the song.

The group also recorded their own version of “Highwayman,” which hit No. 1 on the country charts and stayed there for 20 weeks. It remains their signature song.

Webb was particularly impressed with their version. “You couldn’t imagine better casting than that,” he said. “They fleshed out the song and made it walk and talk.”

As for Campbell, he once them onstage once to play “Highwayman” at the very first Farm Aid, taking the place of Kristofferson.

The Highwaymen spent a decade together, an experience that mean a lot to Kristofferson in particular.

“For me, it was heaven,” he said. “I was up there on stage with my heroes—the people that I worshipped.”

They went on to release three albums, helping to carry on the legacy of outlaw country, and continued to tour through the late ’90s. They officially came to an end following Jennings’ death in 2002. They are still remembered as “The Mount Rushmore of Country Music.”

The Song’s Title Inspired a Second Group

Over 20 years after The Highwaymen formed, a second group took their name from the title and band. The all-female group of Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, and Maren Morris called themselves The Highwomen, a tribute to the iconic supergroup which came before them.