Fairport Convention - The Most Fascinating Facts Anywhere

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1. The name comes from a house

The band formed in 1967 and rehearsed at Fairport, Simon Nicol's family home in Muswell Hill, North London. It became their name.

2. They started as a Joni Mitchell cover band

Early sets included songs by American writers like Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. They were among the first UK acts to cover Mitchell.

3. Sandy Denny joined in 1968

She replaced Judy Dyble and brought songs such as Who Knows Where the Time Goes. Her voice became central to the group's sound.

4. Si Tu Dois Partir reached the UK charts

The 1969 single was a French-language version of Dylan's If You Gotta Go, Go Now. It reached number 21 and brought them to a wider audience.

5. A road accident changed the band in 1969

A van crash on the M1 killed drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson's girlfriend Jeannie Franklyn. The band regrouped and went in a new direction.

6. Liege & Lief shaped British folk rock

Released in 1969, it used traditional material and electric instruments. The band rehearsed for it while living at Farley Chamberlayne in Hampshire.

7. It was voted the most influential folk album

A 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards poll chose Liege & Lief. Dave Swarbrick's fiddle and Dave Mattacks' drums were key to the sound.

8. Sandy Denny sang on a Led Zeppelin track

She appears on The Battle of Evermore from Led Zeppelin IV. It is the only time the band used a guest vocalist on a studio album.

9. Babbacombe Lee told a true story

The 1971 concept album recounted the story of John Lee, who survived three attempts to hang him. It combined traditional and original material.

10. Dave Swarbrick's death was reported early

In 1999 a newspaper mistakenly published his obituary while he was alive. He is said to have joked about it.

11. Cropredy has run since 1979

The Cropredy Convention is held each August in an Oxfordshire village. It began as a reunion and became an annual festival.

12. Meet on the Ledge is a fan anthem

Richard Thompson's song is traditionally sung by the crowd at Cropredy. It is regularly the closing number.

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