Simon Campbell

Simon Campbell is a guitarist and singer from Bury in the Isle of Man. Born in 1958, he begins playing guitar at 16 and builds a long career across rock, blues, americana and folk, working as a band member, session player, producer and solo artist.

Early bands and touring work

In the late 1970s, while studying in Salford, Campbell plays with hard-rock band Whitefire. The group releases an EP and tours the UK before changing direction and performing under the name Roadrunner with a more punk-influenced R&B style. He later joins Little Brother, whose Europop sound brings them a deal with Line Records in Germany through Polydor. That band releases one album, Survival, before splitting.

After Little Brother, Campbell forms The Method with Mike Hehir, formerly of Sad Cafe, and Mick Gilbourne, a former drummer with 10CC. The band tours the UK and Europe for two years. He also works in production with Rick Dowson and Millhause, and when Millhause becomes The Disciples, he joins as guitarist and lead vocalist. The Disciples release a mini-album that is reviewed favourably by Q.

Session work and later projects

Alongside his bands, Campbell works extensively as a session musician, playing with a range of high-profile artists in both studio and live settings. He moves to the Isle of Man in 2008 and becomes involved in the local music scene. His first solo album, ThirtySix, appears in 2011 and draws on a wide range of guitar styles while staying rooted in rock and blues. He is nominated for a British Blues Award in the year of that release.

In 2013 he moves to Valencia, Spain to complete work on The Knife, an album that reflects a growing interest in acoustic music from both sides of the Atlantic.

Supertone Records

In 2014 Campbell marries musician Suzy Starlite, and they establish Supertone Records. The label is dedicated to managing, producing and signing artists described as quirky and beautifully recorded. His later affiliations include Starlite & Campbell, and the associated group names Whitefire, Little Brother and Electrolite also form part of his career history.