Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)

Subject: Obit: Jolhn Campbell
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 05:12 AM

Lovers of traditional singing and storytelling from Northern Ireland will be sad to learn of the death, this morning, of John Campbell, one of the finest of a fine generation of gentlemen singers and storytellers. With his great friend Len Graham, John has entertained audiences around the world for many years.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell
From: Fergie
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 06:50 AM

Sad news Martin. He will be sorely missed. He was a fine singer and he was a gentleman. Any details concerning the funeral?
Fergus

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 07:09 AM

Not yet. I'll post them here if they arrive to me.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 07:55 AM

For a nice pic of the man Click here.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell
From: GUEST,andymac
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 09:07 AM

Damn. I knew of his illness and rapid decline from friends and I can only say how sad I am at another gem and gent passing.
I'm sure his many friends will be raising a glass to him over the next few days...

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell
From: GUEST,jackie boyce
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 10:32 AM

Very sad news indeed!
A true Gentleman in every sense of the word!
I had heard of his illness and how low he has been over the past few days but it still comes as a shock to hear of his passing.
    Jackie

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 10:44 AM

Yes , he was not expected to make it through last weekend - which resulted in many South Armagh folk missing out on the Frank Harte festival. No doubt the post-funeral session will see a good, if sad, time had by all, including a deputation from Dublin.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 11:13 AM

Damn it, another good one gone.
I loved his wit and humour and storytelling. He was a fine lilter too.

There is another young man who may be able to place his shoes alongside John's - Declan Forde from Fernagh, Co. Tyrone.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell
From: GUEST,John Kaneen
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 11:13 AM

Very sorry to hear the news of John's death. I'd learned of his illness when the Slieve Gullion Festival of Traditional Singing had been cancelled as a result of it. He has been a great contributor to the festival over the years and will be sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 01:36 PM

Very sad news indeed.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: ard mhacha
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 01:51 PM

I remember hearing John as he had visitng Seanchas Ard Mhacha members spellbound with his storytelling, a true gentleman, very sad news.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: Maryrrf
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 02:06 PM

I'm very, very sorry to hear this. I've seen John and Len perform together and they were wonderful.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,Frances Rodgers
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 04:19 PM

John was a charming talented man and one of life's gentlemen.
May he rest in peace and entertain the angels for evermore.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 05:16 PM

Fergie

"Leaving house at 11.45 a.m. to arrive Mullaghbawn Church at noon, Weds. 4th."

Funeral arrangements as I have them.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 05:34 PM

Condolences from all at Traditions at the Tiger, John and Len gave us a most special night a few years ago.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 11:43 PM

Sad news indeed.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 03 Oct 06 - 04:23 AM

I've only just heard of John Campbell's passing and I just wanted to say what a lovely man he was.

DaveS. I was at that Tiger session and can't remember ever having laughed as much.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,Ken Hall and Peta Webb
Date: 03 Oct 06 - 07:26 AM

John Campbell was without a doubt the funniest man I ever met. A few years ago I had the great pleasure of driving John and Len around England for a few gigs,ending up at our own Musical Traditions Club. He was just such wonderful company. Len and I were treated to an unending supply of stories and anecdotes each one more hilarious than the last. I had to stop the car on more than one occassion I was laughing so much. If he wasnt telling stories he was playing his jews harp. A truly great man who will be missed by us all.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 03 Oct 06 - 07:43 AM

The thought of John playing Jew's Harp, wearing a seatbelt....!

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: Jim Martin
Date: 03 Oct 06 - 07:44 AM

I was at the Musical Trad's Club, a wonderful evening.

Very sad news.


Jim Martin

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,GordonT
Date: 03 Oct 06 - 11:30 AM

Thats a pity.I saw him a few times at Whitby - seemed a lovely bloke,and was a great storyteller.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,Declan Forde
Date: 04 Oct 06 - 03:47 PM

John Campbell was a man you don't meet everyday. Quite simply, the best storyteller I have ever heard. It was a privilege to know him. We are all the poorer for his passing. May he rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,P Flynn
Date: 05 Oct 06 - 05:26 AM

The after funeral session in O'Hanlon's was great. A fiddle was passed around the bar and nearly everyone there could play a tune for John. John Kennedy sang and we all remembered John.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,KevinMcCaffreySanFrancisco
Date: 05 Oct 06 - 10:14 PM

Thank you all for your kind words. I am John's nephew. Uncle John was a beautiful man, with a wonderful family. I will tell his wife Ethna and his children to check out this site, and read your kind words. We have lost a great man. John has a book of poetry due to come out soon. I ask you to look out for it, he worked hard to the end on it.
Uncle John and Len played a gig for my Dad's retirement party 5 years ago, to the surprise of my Dad, we all had a night to always remember. I also remember the stays we had at Uncle John's and Auntie Ethna's home. You can only imagine the stories we heard. The scary stories and the laughter will always stay with me.
The last time I saw Uncle John was at my Dad's funeral last Nov. Never could I imagine that our family could lose another great man. At this time all my thoughts go to Ethna, John Jr, Mary, Peter, Patrick and their families. I love you all.
RIP Uncle John.
Kevin and Ryan.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,John Campbell Jnr and Family. Mullaghbawn
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 02:12 PM

We have just read your many comments and would like to thank you for your kind words. My father always said that there were 3 stages of manhood;
1. My Da can beat your Da!
          2. Shut up Da you don't know what you are talking about!
          3. As me poor father used to say.......

As my father would have said 'May your giving hearts never fail'
With our thanks
John Jnr and family
Mullaghbawn

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 02:46 PM

Thank you, John, for your comments and for sharing your father with us. Clearly John Snr. was not the last of his line of gentlemen!

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,Patrick Campbell
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 04:18 PM

I have read all the messages about my father on this site and I am so pleased with all the heartfelt comments. Daddy was an excellent parent and growing up with John Campbell as my father was just a fantastic journey of love, lore, fun, friendship and care...we will all deeply deeply miss him. Thanks again for all the lovely comments about my daddy.
Patrick Campbell
An Mullach Bán
Co Árd Mhacha

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 08:09 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: ard mhacha
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 08:16 AM

Campbell family your father was a shining light in folklore circles, we hope the kind words from this Site will help to ease your sorrow, may his good Soul rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,Jerry O'Reilly
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 12:08 PM

Just to add to all that has been said, can I say that it was a privilege to have known John and that I consider myself lucky to have spent some time in his company. A real gentleman,in the truest sense of the word.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 07:03 AM

Very nice obit. by Sheila Miller (Cellar Upstairs Folk Club) in the Guardian yesterday. Look up the "Guardian Unlimited" website and just key-in "John Campbell" in their search window.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 02:00 PM

Here's a link to the Guardian obit.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 02:01 PM

Let's try that again:

HERE

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 02:54 PM

A very thoughtful and moving tribute to John appears in the November edition of "Tatters" at www.tigerfolk.com

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 04:06 PM

A real character, some more here www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/inart322.htm

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: Diva
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 10:11 AM

Ach I've just come to this sad news. He was a lovely gentle man, a gem. We saw him and Len at Cullerlie last year and it was a riot, I laughed so much my sides were sore. Our condolences to his family and all those who knew him.
Kathy Hobkirk and Allan Baldwin

Subject: RE: Obit: John Campbell (2 Oct 2006)
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 09:27 AM

Len Graham was on RTE Lyric FM radio last night and of course he spoke about John Campbell and included a recording of John. Should be available on website for at least this week.