Guitarist, record producer and member of The Dubliners
Born: November 29, 1946;
Died: October 18, 2017
EAMONN Campbell, who has died aged 70, was a talented guitarist, producer and arranger who was best known as a member of The Dubliners, the Irish folk band that had a number of hits including a version of The Irish Rover with The Pogues in the 1980s. He also produced the popular 1982 version of The Fields of Athenry, which has become a favourite anthem of Irish rugby fans.
The Fields of Athenry is a traditional Irish ballad but was a huge hit for the Irish folk singer Paddy Reilly. Reilly was just one of the many talented artistes, including Foster and Allen, Daniel O’Donnell and Philomena Begley, who benefited from Eamonn Campbell’s record production skills.
A native of Drogheda, County Louth, Campbell originally wanted to be an accountant but changed his mind when he was 11 years old and heard Elvis sing for the first time. Campbell asked his mother to buy him a guitar and he set up several bands while still at school.
He started his professional music career when he was 17 and joined Dermot O'Brien and the Clubmen and encountered The Dubliners for the first time in 1967 when the two bands toured together.
By the mid 1970s, Campbell was working on his own as a session musician, producer, arranger and guitarist. He was invited to produce an album for The Dubliners in 1986 and it was he who suggested that they should record The Irish Rover with the Pogues - it became The Dubliners' biggest hit. He later joined the band himself, and stayed with them when they became The Dublin Legends.
Announcing his death, the band described their former member as a legend and brilliant guitar player. They added: “He will be greatly missed by all his friends and fans around the world. We are heartbroken.”
The Irish president Michael D Higgins said he had learned of the musician’s death with great sadness. “He will be missed by those, in Ireland and further afield, who continue to enjoy his voice and his music, with The Dubliners. Many others will have the warmest memories of his work with many other artists.”
The Dublin Legends singer Sean Cannon said: “I am devastated. We have spent the last 30 years together touring and playing concerts. He was a great player with a great feel for Irish music.”
Banjo player Gerry O’Connor said: “I have not come to terms with it yet. He was such a lovely guy. Always had a big smile on his face. He just adored playing live. He is a huge loss.”
Campbell fell ill while on a tour of Holland and Belgium and his body was flown back to Dublin for his funeral. He is survived by his wife Noreen and six children Paddy, Eamon, Franky, Emma-Jane, Niamh and Ciara.
BILL HEANEY
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