The Ian Campbell Folk Group

BIRMINGHAM

Last updated April, 2002

The Ian Campbell Group are likely the most well known and respected folk music group to come out of Birmingham. Ian Campbell was born June 10, 1933 in Aberdeen, Scotland and his family moved to Birmingham in 1946. He formed the Clarion Skiffle Group in the mid 1950s along with his sister Lorna who was also the singer. They were later joined by guitarist Dave Phillips and banjo player Gordon McCulloch, and by 1958 were known as the Ian Campbell Four.

By 1960, McCulloch had been replaced by John Dunkerley and the group was also joined by violinist Dave Swarbrick (born April 5, 1941 in London). The group became well known on the local folk music scene and played regularly around Birmingham, often appearing at The Crown Pub on Station Street. It was there that they played on a live recording that was released as Ceilidh At The Crown in 1962. The following year, the group was signed to Transatlantic Records and released their first album entitled This Is The Ian Campbell Folk Group. At around this time, Dave Phillips left and was replaced by Brian Clark.

The Ian Campbell Group soon established themselves as a highly proficient live act who became well known for their instrumental abilities as well as Ian Campbell's talent as a songwriter. Tours and television appearances followed, and in March of 1965 the group even managed to get a hit single with their rendition of Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin'. The group's major strength however, lay in their live performances where the line-up was often supplemented by top session musicians.

In 1966, Dave Swarbrick left to become a major player in the British folk scene and later joined the well known group Fairport Convention. Bass player Dave Pegg from the Birmingham group The Uglys joined the Ian Campbell Group in 1967 and a few years later would also leave to join Fairport Convention.

Despite many further personnel changes, the Ian Campbell Folk Group continued to tour and release records throughout the 1960s and 1970s although tragically, John Dunkerley died of Hodgkinsons disease in 1977 at only 35 years old. The group disbanded in the late 1970's but their status in folk music circles has continued to increase since then as one of the earliest significant British folk groups.

Note: Ian Campbell is also father to Ali and Robin Campbell of Birmingham's internationally famous reggae group UB40.

The Ian Campbell Folk Group 1960's Record Releases (highest UK chart position in brackets)

Singles:

The Sun Is Burning/The Crow On The Cradle 1964

Marilyn Monroe/The Bells Of Rhymney (Decca F 11802) 1964

Kelly From Killane/Boys of Wexford (Transatlantic SP 2) 1965

The Times They Are A-Changin'/Across The Hills (Transatlantic SP 5) March 1965 (42)

Come Kiss Me/The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face (Transatlantic SP 6) 1966

Guantanamera/Mary Anne (Transatlantic SP 7) 1966

One Eyed Reilly/Snow Is Falling (Transatlantic SP 10) 1966

Lover Let Me In/Private Harold Ham's (Big T 103) 1967

Break My Mind/Govan Cross Special 1969

Albums:

Ceilidh At The Crown 1962

This Is The Ian Campbell Folk Group (Transatlantic) 1963

Across The Hills (Transatlantic) 1964

Coaldust Ballads (Transatlantic) 1965

Contemporary Campbells (Transatlantic) 1966

Tam O'Shanter (Transatlantic) 1968

The Circle Game (Transatlantic) 1968

Ian Campbell With The Ian Campbell Folk Group And Dave Swarbrick (Music For Pleasure) 1969

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