I only got to know Alex Campbell in the months before his death, by which time he could no longer sing (a result of throat surgery). He was a most interesting man to spend time with and I urged him to begin writing his autobiography but sadly, he just wasn't interested.

He was by this time living in Denmark, supported apparently by a small pension bestowed by the Danish Government on "artists of note". When asked about the "old days" he recalled that it was not unusual for him to have spent his folk club fee at the bar before the night was over buying drink for himself and whatever "friends" might be with him. Seemingly, it was always Saturday night when Alex was in town.

I remember once buying tickets for a Ewan MacColl/Peggy Seeger concert and turning up on the night only to be told that they wouldn't be appearing as Ewan was ill. Though disappointed, I understood. Illness is usually something beyond our control and let's face it, folk music is not a matter of life and death (sorry, Bill Shankly).

Clearly, in Alex Campbell's case, he had a long struggle with alcohol and found himself in an environment which nurtured his addiction. Not that he was unique. The folk scene in the UK and Ireland has had no shortage of performers who have struggled with drink and however good their "good" nights were, their "bad" nights could have been equally woeful.

So while I wouldn't dream of criticizing anyone for the state of their health, I do not feel that we should bestow saint-like qualities on those who have gone before. No matter how much we may have admired them and no matter the huge influence some of them had, they were human. MacColl and Campbell, each in his own way, played a huge role in taking us to where we are today and (like it or not) they will continue to be discussed.