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By 1960, McCulloch had been replaced by John Dunkerly and the group had another additional member, violinist Dave Swarbrick, born April 5, 1941 in London who had moved to Birmingham when he was eight-years-old.

The group played regularly around Birmingham, often appearing at The Crown Pub on Station Street. It was there that they recorded a live performance that was released as ‘Ceilidh At The Crown’ in 1962.

The following year, the group was signed to Transatlantic Records and released their debut album, ‘This Is The Ian Campbell Folk Group. During this time, Philips left to be replaced by Brian Clark.

In 1965, the group had a hit single with their version of Bob Dylan’s, ‘The Times They Are A-Changin.’

1966 saw Swarbrick leave and later join Fairport Convention (see under artists). Bass player and former member of The Uglys (see under artists) Dave Pegg joined the group the following year but would also leave a few years later to join Swarbrick in Fairport Convention.

Nevertheless, the group continued to tour and released records throughout the 60s and 70s. Tragically, John Dunkerley died of Hodgkinsons disease in 1977 at only 35 years old. The group dispersed in the late 1970s.

Interesting fact:
Ian Campbell is father to Ali and Robin Cambell of Birmingham’s internationally famous reggae group, UB40

Discography:
*Ceilidh At The Crown (1962)
*This Is The Ian Campbell Folk Group (1963)
*Across The Hills (1964)
*Coaldust Ballads (1965)
*Contemporary Campbells (1966)
*Tam O’Shanter (1968)
*The Circle Game (1968)
*Ian Campbell With The Ian Campbell Folk Group And Dave Swarbrick (1969)