Fairport Convention -

Fairport Convention are an English revolving-door folk ensemble, founded in London 1967. The band debuted with a self-titled album on Polydor in 1968, followed by nine albums and two live discs on Island between 1969 and 1976. After a pair of 1977/78 releases on Vertigo, bassist Dave Pegg established Woodworm Records for all subsequent proper releases by the band.

Members: Richard Thompson (guitar, vocals, 1967-71), Simon Nicol (guitar, vocals, 1967-71, 1976-present), Ashley “Tyger” Hutchings (bass, vocals, 1967-69), Martin Lamble (drums, 1967-69), Ian Matthews (vocals, 1967-69), Judy Dyble (vocals, 1967-68), Shaun Frater (drums, 1967), Sandy Denny (vocals, 1968-69, 1974-76), Dave Swarbrick (fiddle, vocals, 1968-85), Dave Mattacks (drums, 1969-72, 1972-74, 1980-98), Dave Pegg (bass, vocals, 1969-present), Roger Hill (guitar, vocals, 1971-72), Tom Farnell (drums, 1972), David Rea (guitar, 1972), Trevor Lucas (guitar, vocals, 1972-76), Jerry Donahue (guitar, vocals, 1972-76), Bruce Rowland (drums, 1975-79), Bob Brady (piano, 1976), Dan Ar Braz (guitar, 1976), Roger Burridge (mandolin, fiddle, 1976)

Original co-vocalist Ian Matthews left after two albums to front the bands Southern Comfort and Plainsong; he subsequently launched a solo career and later cut an album in the band Hi-Fi with ex-Pavlov’s Dog vocalist David Surkamp. Fairport’s original female vocalist, Judy Dyble, left after the first album to form the folk-psych duo Trader Horne. Her replacement, Sandy Denny, stayed for three albums before departing for Fotheringay and a subsequent solo career. Guitarist/vocalist Richard Thompson left after 1970’s Full House, initially recording solo before launching an eight-year musical partnership with wife Linda Thompson.

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