British folk-rock group. The group was formed in mid-1967 by Ashley Hutchings (b 1945; bass), Judy Dyble (b 1949; vocals), Martin Lamble (b 1949; drums), Richard Thompson (b 1949; guitar and vocals), Simon Nicol (b 1950; guitar and vocals) and drummer Shaun Frater; they were joined shortly afterwards by Iain Matthews (Iain Matthews MacDonald; b 1946; vocals). Their first album, Fairport Convention (Pol., 1968), showed an interest in blending folk music with rock and was influenced by American bands such as the Byrds and Jefferson Airplane, as well as by the folk singers Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Sandy Denny (1946–78; vocals, guitar and keyboards) replaced Judy Dyble, and together with Thompson and a changing cast of musicians, the group released a series of albums that established them as the most influential practitioners of a distinctive style of British folk-rock that draws especially on English traditional lyrics and melodies. Unhalfbricking, their third album, and especially Liege and Leaf (both Isl., 1969), were both successful in the British charts and marked the group’s greatest musical achievement. The departure of Denny did not diminish the band’s commercial appeal, as Full House (Isl., 1970) was a hit in the UK charts; similarly, Angel Delight (Isl., 1971), released after Thompson left, was the group’s only album to reach the top ten of the UK charts. Despite their popularity in England, the group had little commercial success in the USA.
With constantly changing personnel, Fairport Convention remained active until 1979, though never again enjoyed their earlier popularity or musical influence. In the early 1980s various members of the band reunited annually to perform at a festival in Cropredy, Oxfordshire – an event that has since become a fixture on the British folk scene. Since 1986, versions of the group have released albums from time to time, including Gladys Leap (Woodworm, 1986), Red and Gold (New Routs, 1989) and Jewel in the Crown (Woodworm, 1995).
K. Dallas: ‘Suddenly Folk Rock is Respectable Again’, Melody Maker (7 Feb 1970), 7 only
P. Humphries: Meet on the Ledge: a History of Fairport Convention (London, 1982, 2/1997 as Meet on the Ledge: the Classic Years)
JOHN COVACH