Alex Campbell

about

Alex Campbell (1925 - 1987) was a Scottish folk singer. Described by Colin Harper as a "melancholic, hard-travelling Glaswegian", he was influential in the British folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s and was one of the first folk singers (in modern times) to tour the UK and Europe. His nickname was "Big Daddy". Alex was known to say "Hell Yeah" when he was happy and approved of a performance. He grew up in Glasgow and often told stories of his childhood experiences. His childhood Roberta Mack left him for an American soldier. This is cited by many to be the start of his journey. He left Glasgow and joined the Inland Revenue in London as an Executive Officer. He had to leave after an altercation with a fellow member of staff. Alex went to Paris where he started busking. As his reputation began growing he started a somewhat erratic recording career. It is said he started as a skiffle player but moved on to folk music. In the sixties he was part of the revival of folk music in the UK. As that moved less into the conciousness of the British society he trailblazed the terrirtories of Europe when he recorded some of his best work. until his untimely death in Denmark on the 3rd of January 1987. The Danish Government paid for a piper to pipe his body onto the plane to Scotland. On arrival in Scotland, nothing! Alex sang songs of all kinds, from Woody Guthrie to Bob Dylan to Tom Paxton to Donovan; traditional Scottish ballads and his own compositions — including t

top songs

albums

Been on the Road So Long: The Anthology

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Border Lands: The Best of Scottish Folk

In Copenhagen

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Old Time Gospel Singing

Alex Campbell At The Tivoli Gardens

Crm

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Anthems In Eden

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The Best of Scottish Folk

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The Original Sandy Denny

Folk Songs of Scotland and America

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The Midnight Special

The Ultimate Folk Collection

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