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On his early visits to Malaga, Campbell was preoccupied with seeking out ‘pure’ Flamenco
players. Through the English-speaking community, George and Madge met Americans
Evelyn, or ‘Evie’, and Farrington ‘Faye’ Stoddard,
104
who introduced them to the Romero
family.
105
Campbell received guitar lessons from Celedonio Romero
105
and became friendly
with Romero's two sons, Celin and Pepe,
107
before they left Spain in 1957. In December
1954, Celedonio and the Stoddards attended Campbell’s first solo exhibition inTorremolinos,
Malaga. The Stoddards travelled to London to support Campbell and Dillon’s joint show at
the Piccadilly galleries in 1955.
104
Farrington Stoddard retired to Spain with his second wife, Evelyn, before returning to California in 1957 to
sponsor the Romero family. Correspondence with Farrington’s Granddaughter, Shari Mounsey, 12 October
2013.
105
Known as ‘The Royal Family of the Guitar’, the Romero Guitar Quartet was formed in 1960.
106
Correspondence with Pepe Romero with the assistance of Carissa Romero, 27 August 2013.
107
Pepe Romero recalls meeting Campbell and his friend, Maurice Dickinson in Malaga in the 1950s.
Correspondence with Pepe Romero with the assistance of Carissa Romero, 26 November 2013.
fig.104: Faye Stoddard with the Romero Family
fig.105: Celedonio, Celin and Pepe Romero,
Malaga 1950’s
fig.106: Faye Stoddard, Celedonio and Angelita
Romero with George Campbell at his first solo
exhibition in Torremolinos, December, 1954
fig.107: Fay and Evie Stoddard with Madge
Waterloo, train station, London, 1955