Wilgar Campbell
Encyclopedia
Wilgar Campbell was an Irish
blues rock musician
, best known for his role as drummer
with Rory Gallagher
in the early 1970s.
ist Gerry McAvoy
, who supported Taste
on tour in 1970. Campbell was recruited by Gallagher in 1971, along with McAvoy, for his new solo project after the break-up of Taste. While with Gallagher, Campbell performed on the albums Rory Gallagher
, Deuce and Live in Europe. Campbell stayed with Gallagher until June 1972, when he left for family reasons and was replaced by Rod de'Ath
from Killing Floor. Later, from the same band, Killing Floor, Lou Martin
was added to the Gallagher lineup for five years; one of two main times Gallagher played outside his usual power trio
, this time with Martin, an accomplished keyboardist, then later with Mark Feltham, a harp player.
After he left Gallagher's band, Campbell joined Tony McPhee
's band Terraplane, and then formed The Wildcats, which later featured Gary Fletcher
. He also played with Billy Boy Arnold
, and in 1976 he joined the 1950s style rock and roll
band Yakety Yak, with whom he stayed until 1980, recording one single with them in that time. In 1981 several members of Yakety Yak, including Campbell, formed another '50s style band called the Dragons, who subsequently changed their name to Sonny King & the Sons of Swing in 1982. Campbell continued to play with them till 1987, though occasionally they used Geoff Britton
when Campbell was unable to participate.
In the late '80s, after the break-up of his marriage, Campbell was was no longer able to control the alcoholism that he had kept under wraps for many years. Previously always a very fit person and enthusiastic Sunday league football
er, his health started to deteriorate and he became unable to continue drumming.
Wilgar Campbell died in 1989 after suffering liver problems. His funeral was at Streatham
Crematorium, and the wake at the Cartoon club in Croydon
was attended by various musician friends, including those from the Sonny King band, Yakety Yak and Rory Gallagher. Gallagher himself died in 1995.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
blues rock musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, best known for his role as drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
with Rory Gallagher
Rory Gallagher
William Rory Gallagher, ; 2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995, was an Irish blues-rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader. Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, and raised in Cork, Gallagher recorded solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, after forming the band Taste...
in the early 1970s.
Career
Campbell played with local band The Method, who moved to London in 1968 and became Andwella's Dream. He played on only one track, "Felix", on their debut album Love and Poetry, which band leader Dave Lewis called "the best drumming on the album", before returning to Belfast to be with his wife and children. In Belfast he joined Deep Joy, also including bass guitarBass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist Gerry McAvoy
Gerry McAvoy
Gerry McAvoy is an Irish blues rock bass guitarist, who is best known for his twenty five year long friendship and professional association performing with Rory Gallagher between 1970 and 1991...
, who supported Taste
Taste (band)
Taste was an Irish rock and blues band formed in 1966 that gained fame in large part because of their unique style, and the talent and charisma of the band's founder, songwriter and musician Rory Gallagher...
on tour in 1970. Campbell was recruited by Gallagher in 1971, along with McAvoy, for his new solo project after the break-up of Taste. While with Gallagher, Campbell performed on the albums Rory Gallagher
Rory Gallagher (album)
Rory Gallagher is the first solo album by Irish blues rock musician Rory Gallagher, released in 1971. It marked the departure from Taste, the first band which Gallagher founded, and the start of his solo career...
, Deuce and Live in Europe. Campbell stayed with Gallagher until June 1972, when he left for family reasons and was replaced by Rod de'Ath
Rod de'Ath
Rod de'Ath , is a former musician, best known for his role as drummer with Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher in the 1970s....
from Killing Floor. Later, from the same band, Killing Floor, Lou Martin
Lou Martin
Louis 'Lou' Martin Louis 'Lou' Martin Louis 'Lou' Martin (born 12 August 1949, Belfast, Northern Ireland is a piano and organ player, who is most famous for his work with the London-based band Killing Floor and fellow Irish musician Rory Gallagher....
was added to the Gallagher lineup for five years; one of two main times Gallagher played outside his usual power trio
Power trio
A power trio is a rock and roll band format where the traditional power trio has a lineup of guitar, bass and drums, leaving out the rhythm guitar or keyboard that are used in other rock music to fill out the sound with chords...
, this time with Martin, an accomplished keyboardist, then later with Mark Feltham, a harp player.
After he left Gallagher's band, Campbell joined Tony McPhee
Tony McPhee
Tony McPhee is an English blues guitarist, and founder of The Groundhogs....
's band Terraplane, and then formed The Wildcats, which later featured Gary Fletcher
Gary Fletcher (musician)
Gary Fletcher is a British blues musician, best known for playing bass guitar with The Blues Band, he is also a guitarist and songwriter.-Early life:...
. He also played with Billy Boy Arnold
Billy Boy Arnold
Billy Boy Arnold is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.-Biography:...
, and in 1976 he joined the 1950s style rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band Yakety Yak, with whom he stayed until 1980, recording one single with them in that time. In 1981 several members of Yakety Yak, including Campbell, formed another '50s style band called the Dragons, who subsequently changed their name to Sonny King & the Sons of Swing in 1982. Campbell continued to play with them till 1987, though occasionally they used Geoff Britton
Geoff Britton
Geoff Britton is a rock drummer known for his work with Paul McCartney's Wings from 1974 to 1975, where he was featured on the Venus and Mars album,...
when Campbell was unable to participate.
In the late '80s, after the break-up of his marriage, Campbell was was no longer able to control the alcoholism that he had kept under wraps for many years. Previously always a very fit person and enthusiastic Sunday league football
Sunday league football
Sunday league football is a term used in the United Kingdom to describe those association football leagues which play on Sunday, as opposed to the more usual Saturday. These leagues tend to be lower standard amateur competitions, whose players may have less ability, or less time to devote to...
er, his health started to deteriorate and he became unable to continue drumming.
Wilgar Campbell died in 1989 after suffering liver problems. His funeral was at Streatham
Streatham
Streatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
Crematorium, and the wake at the Cartoon club in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
was attended by various musician friends, including those from the Sonny King band, Yakety Yak and Rory Gallagher. Gallagher himself died in 1995.