Fairport Convention

Fairport Convention are often credited with being the first English electric folk band. Formed in April 1967, with Simon Nicol, Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings and Shaun Frater, Fairport rapidly developed from playing cover versions of American 'west coast' style music to an individual style which melded rock music with traditional English tunes and songs.

Bedevilled by numerous personnel changes they temporarily disbanded in 1979 but reformed in 1985. Since then, they have enjoyed stability and continue to tour and record regularly.

Fairport Convention hold a coveted BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and their

groundbreaking album Liege & Lief was voted 'Most Influential Folk Album Of All Time' by Radio 2 listeners.