Mont Campbell

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Hugo Martin Montgomery Campbell, formerly known as Mont Campbell, now Dirk Campbell (born 30th December 1950 in Ismalia, Egypt) is a British progressive rock musician, best known as a member of Egg.

Campbell was born to Mary Elizabeth Shaw ("Jackie") and Lt Col. Hal Montgomery Campbell RTR ("Archie"). He was named Martin after his grandfather, the composer Martin Shaw. The family moved to Kenya in 1951, and lived there until their return to the UK in 1962. From 1967 Mont attended City of London Boys School where he met Steve Hillage and Dave Stewart, and with them formed the band Uriel, later to become Egg. Mont played bass guitar and was the main composer for the band. Igor Stravinsky was a main influence, and Jimi Hendrix.

In 1973, Mont became interested in Eastern mysticism, joining an Indonesian sect called Subud. He left Egg and attended the Royal College of Music, studying the French horn and composition – re-joining Egg for their last album in 1975. He was also in early National Health line-ups.

In 1977, he changed his name to Dirk Campbell and moved away from rock music. His first solo album, Music from a Round Tower, was released in 1996 and he has in recent years been focusing on world music, including with The World Wind Band. He has also done music for film (including performing on the score for "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") and television.

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