My friend Iain Campbell, who has died aged 73, after a heart attack, will live on as long as people sing Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street, for he was the guy with “that look on his face”. Fans of the song will be pleased to learn that Iain never did settle down, give up the booze or the one-night stands. He remained a rolling stone until the end.
Born John Campbell in Glasgow, eldest of three children of Johnny and Marie, Iain learned his trade as a guitarist in the late 1950s and early 60s with big swing bands in the Glasgow Barrowlands. He left behind his wife, Helen, and children, Iain and Caroline, to play bass for the Big Six in Hamburg, replacing the Beatles, who had spent part of their early career playing clubs in the German city. Then he worked all over Europe, backing stars such as Chuck Berry and Little Richard, before rock’n’roll took him to London in the late 60s.
As a session musician, he played with Stealers Wheel and Billy Connolly, among others. This was when he shared a flat off Baker Street with Alex Young, elder brother of Angus and Malcolm of AC/DC, and Rafferty found inspiration for his biggest hit. Iain then moved to Mississippi for a spell, and there cemented his love for bluegrass.
Returning to Britain, he settled in London with his partner, Kate, and daughter Siobhan. He rattled between Scotland and London, and continued to play in the pubs of Lewisham until well into his 70s. In 2010 a daughter, Jennifer, a product of his time in Hamburg, tracked him down. The only surprise is that more children bearing Iain’s distinctive Campbell chin have not appeared over the years.
A drinker and smoker, he amazed everyone by living as long as he did. After his heart attack, doctors gave him 20 minutes but, surrounded by friends and family singing and playing guitars, Iain lasted another 13 hours. As Siobhan said, he never did know when to leave a party.
Caroline predeceased him. He is survived by Siobhan, Iain and Jennifer, six grandsons and three granddaughters.
