It is with deep sorrow that we learn of the death of James Campbell (84) this past weekend, one of Ireland’s most influential traditional musicians.
James died at his home at Banganboy in the town of Glenties, Donegal yesterday morning and will be buried this Wednesday.
Following the sad news, many tributes flowed in from well-wishers.
According to Donegalfiddlemusic.ie, James was “one of the crucial direct links to the life and music of Mickey and John Doherty,” legends of the fiddle-playing world.
Cúis an-bhróin dúinn an nuacht gur cailleadh James Campbell (85) le déanaí. Bhí James ar dhuine de na ceoltóirí traidisiúnta ba thábhachtaí sa tír agus tháinig go leor faoina thionchar.
Ba ina theach fhéin ar an Bheangán Buí sna Gleanntaí a fuair James bás.
Tháinig go leor teachtaireachtaí ómóis ó bhaill an phobail i ndiaidh dó bás a fháil, agus iad briste ag an nuacht.
Dar le donegalfiddlemusic.ie bhí James ar “one of the crucial direct links to the life and music of Mickey and John Doherty,” laochra móra eile na fidléireachta.
Members of Donegal traditional group ‘Altan’ were quoted saying, “This man was everything, a great person, fiddler, gentle, modest, encouraging and so so welcoming.” Traditional group. ‘The Friel Sisters,’ said “he has influenced and encouraged generations of musicians. There will never be another like him. Donegal is a much sadder place today without him.”
Born in 1937, James grew up in a family steeped in Donegal fiddle music, including his father and grandfather were well known fiddle players. His son Peter is also a renowned fiddle player.
The Campbell home was a regular venue for musicians to visit and play music, including such legends as Mickey and John Doherty.
James emigrated to Scotland where he worked as a ‘tunnel tiger’ and later settled in London. James and his wife, Yvonne, raised a family of four girls and one boy.
He was a mainstay of the traditional music scene in Britain, and had associations with such virtuosos as Brendan McGlinchey, the Dwyers of Ardgroom and Paddy Conroy, the Galway accordion player.
James returned to live in Donegal with his family in the late 1980s and introduced the music of the Croaghs area to younger generations of musicians.
Dúirt baill an ghrúpa traidisiúnta Conallach Altan, “This man was everything, a great person, fiddler, gentle, modest, encouraging and so so welcoming.” Agus de réir ‘The Friel Sisters’, grúpa ceoil eile “he has influenced and encouraged generations of musicians. There will never be another like him. Donegal is a much sadder place today without him.”
Rugadh James sa bhliain 1937 agus tógadh é i dteaghlach a bhí ar maos san fhidléireacht Chonallach. Fidléirí clúiteacha iad a athair agus a sheanathair roimhe agus tá cáil na fidléireacht ar a mhac Peter chomh maith.
Ba ghnách le ceoltóirí tarraingt ar theach na gCampbells lena n-airnéal a dhéanamh nó le poirt a bhualadh, daoine móra ar nós Mickey agus John Doherty ina measc.
Thug James aghaidh ar an bhád ban agus ar Albain áit ar oibrigh sé mar ‘tunnel tiger’ anus ina dhiaidh sin chuir sé faoi i Londain Shasana. Ceathrar iníonacha agus mac amháin a bhí aige agus ag a bhean Yvonne.
Crann taca an cheoil traidisiúnta sa Bhreatain a bhí ann, agus bhí baint aige le sárcheoltóirí eile ar nós Brendan McGlinchey, muintir Dwyer Dhá Dhroim, Corcaigh, agus Paddy Conroy, an boscadóir Gaillmheach.
Phill James ar Thír Chonaill sa 1980-aí déanacha áit ar chuir sé ceol na gCruacha chun cinn i measc na n-óg go deireadh a shaoil.
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