Like Burt Bacharach, the Oklahoma-born songwriter Jimmy Webb is an AM-radio legend, penning hits such as “MacArthur Park,” “Wichita Lineman” and “Up, Up and Away.” Unlike Bacharach, he hardly gets his due anymore. Courageously splitting away from commercial endeavors in the 1970s transformed Webb into something of a cult figure, but whose fans include Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Linda Ronstadt, Joe Cocker, R.E.M. and Willie Nelson. Webb’s genius can be heard on Isaac Hayes’ version of his “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” which Frank Sinatra called “the greatest torch song ever written,” and on the sprawling, creative and bizarre Richard Harris concept album The Yard Went on Forever, a rare but cherished LP. He performs on Saturday, May 15, at the Napa Valley Opera House, 1030 Main St., Napa. 8pm. $25-$35. 707.226.7372.Gabe Meline
.May 15: Jimmy Webb at the Napa Valley Opera House
