14 Facts About Ambrose Campbell

Ambrose Campbell was a Nigerian musician and bandleader.

Ambrose Campbell is credited with forming Britain's first ever black band, the West African Rhythm Brothers, in the 1940s, and was acknowledged by Fela Kuti as "the father of modern Nigerian music".

Ambrose Campbell was born Oladipupo Adekoya Campbell in Lagos, Nigeria, into a Christian family; his father was a preacher.

Ambrose Campbell met guitarist Brewster Hughes in Lagos, and performed with him in the Jolly Boys Orchestra.

On its second voyage, the ship was attacked by U-boats in the Atlantic Ocean, and Ambrose Campbell jumped ship in Liverpool, England, soon moving to London, where he came into contact with other members of the small Nigerian community, including Brewster Hughes, who had moved to the capital city.

Ambrose Campbell formed a band, but soon afterwards he was attacked by racist thugs at a London underground station; Hughes was later imprisoned for shooting one of the assailants.

Ambrose Campbell first came to public attention by performing with his band at the VE Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus in 1945.

Ambrose Campbell appeared thinly disguised as the character "Cranium Cuthbertson" in Colin MacInnes's 1957 novel City of Spades; MacInnes became godfather to Campbell's first son.

Ambrose Campbell learned guitar and, after a disagreement with Brewster Hughes, formed a new band.

Ambrose Campbell toured Italy, and formed a production company with the help of lawyer and Labour Party adviser Arnold Goodman.

Ambrose Campbell recorded an album for Columbia, Highlife Today, in 1968, before seemingly vanishing; newspapers in Lagos reported his death.

Ambrose Campbell toured worldwide with Russell, before settling in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1982 and remarrying.

Ambrose Campbell returned to Britain in 2004, to live in Plymouth with his daughter and grandchildren.

Ambrose Campbell died in Plymouth in 2006 at the age of 86.