From left to right: Lorna, Betty, Dave, Duncan, Robin, Dave, Ali and Ian (at the piano) c 1975 

The Campbells

Life-long Communists, Dave Campbell (born c. 1910) and Betty Campbell (born c. 1913) are famous for having nurtured two generations of successful musicians as well as being knowledgeable and skilful singers themselves. Dave was a constructional engineering worker from Aberdeen, who became an officia

l of the union catering for that trade in 1942, working in Tyneside, Wales and the Birmingham, where he eventually settled with his family.

Eldest son, Ian, also a long-term Communist, was the leader of the Ian Campbell Folk Group from around 1968, with his sister, Lorna. Ian's sons, Robin and Ali became the famous Birmingham-based UB40 in 1978-9, naming their popular reggae style band after their dole card and, after rehearsing in a cellar, going onto to stardom.