An Interview with Ashley Campbell

Ahead of the Liverpool leg of the Vacancy Records Tour 2022 this May, we caught up with Ashley Campbell, daughter of American guitarist and host of ‘The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour’ on CBS television from 1969 to 1972. Glen Campbell was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, actor and television host, and released 64 albums in a career that spanned five decades, including twelve gold albums, four platinum albums, and one double-platinum album.

Throughout his career, Glen Campbell performed many Beatles covers and he and Paul were said to be mutual fans with a great deal of respect for each other. Selling over 45 million records worldwide, Glen Campbell was a legend in the genre of country music. His humble beginnings as the son of a sharecropper make his rise to fame not too dissimilar to that of The Beatles – whose working-class roots gave way to fame and fortune, on account of their creativity and undeniable talent. Sadly, Glen passed away in 2017.

Paul McCartney and Glen Campbell at the 2012 Grammy Awards

Glen Campbell’s legacy lives on to this day in the musical talents of his youngest daughter, Ashley. Ahead of her gig at EBGBS she will be visiting the award-winning The Beatles Story attraction at the Royal Albert Dock, and is set to perform a live acoustic set at the famous Cavern Club on Mathew Street.

Have you played in Liverpool before, and are you looking forward to it?

I am so looking forward to playing in Liverpool again. From playing the Philharmonic Hall with my father to playing my own music at various venues over the years, Liverpool is always a place I look forward to visiting.

Have you visited The Beatles Story and The Cavern Club before?

This visit will be my first time experiencing your attraction and the world-famous Cavern Club and I’m very excited to immerse myself in the history of The Beatles. And to be playing a Beatles cover on the famous Cavern Club stage?!  C’mon!  My six-year-old self playing ‘Fool On The Hill’ on repeat in my mother’s car would never believe it!  How cool!

Have you met any of The Beatles?

At the 2012 Grammy Awards, I had the honour of meeting Sir Paul McCartney. We were performing a medley of hits to mark my father’s Lifetime Achievement Award – awarded to him on the night, and Paul watched us rehearse – which was nerve-wracking but awesome. I later crossed paths with Paul backstage and, being a big fan of my father, Paul asked me if he could meet him. They were both wearing white suits – it was great. He was funny too – I remember him jokingly telling my brother to get a haircut!

Paul McCartney and Ashley Campbell at the 2012 Grammy Awards

Liverpool is always a place I look forward to visiting.

What are your favourite Beatles songs?

Well, for my Cavern Club and EBGBS sets, I will cover ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ and I’ve always loved ‘Fool on the Hill’ – when I was young I used to listen to it on repeat in my mother’s car!

Ashley Campbell, Paul McDonald and Barrie-James will be performing at Liverpool’s EBGBS on the evening of Monday 16th May and tickets are on sale here. The Beatles Story is running a competition for two free tickets to the gig along with two free tickets to The Beatles Story, and a goody bag of signed CDs. Enter our competition below!