It was around this time last year that folk rock pioneers Steeleye Span released a deluxe version of their album “Wintersmith in collaboration with Sir Terry Pratchett” with an extra CD including 4 new studio tracks. The album was a big hit with fans as well as introducing their music to many new audiences.
Yet another fine chapter in their history which started with the release of Hark! The Village Wait in 1970 when the lineup included Maddy Prior, Tim Hart, Terry & Gay Woods and Ashley Hutchings.
Whilst the lineup has changed over the years there is no denying the part they have played in the history of Electric Folk, arguably taking Folk Rock both the furthest, and the earliest.
Some of the finest folk musicians have played in Steeleye, the names ring out like a Folk music Hall of Fame with the current line up being Maddy Prior, Rick Kemp, Liam Genockey, Julian Littman, Jessie May Smart and Andrew Sinclair. Look back through their history and you’ll also find the likes of Martin Carthy, Ashley Hutchings, John Kirkpatrick, Tim Harries, Gay and Terry Woods, Bob Johnson and most recently Peter Knight.
It was apparently Martin Carthy who suggested the band name based upon a character (a waggoner) of the song ‘Horkstow Grange’…
Pity them who see him suffer,
Pity poor old Steeleye Span;
John Bowlin’s deeds they will be remembered;
Bowlin’s deeds at Horkstow Grange
Steeleye Span (1972): Martin Carthy, Ashley Hutchings, Maddy Prior, Tim Hart, Peter Knight
2015 has been a busy year for Steeleye Span. Which saw them take in dates in the UK. Belgium, Holland, Spain. Canada and the USA. Their Autumn tour sees them heading back to Holland and Belgium before kicking off their UK tour to finish the year, dates for which are below. Get your tickets quick as they are selling quick!
Steeleye Span Tour
17 Nov – Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury,
18 Nov – Civic Arts Centre and Theatre, Oswaldtwistle,
19 Nov – Town Hall, Birmingham,
20 Nov – Assembly Hall Theatre, Tumbridge Wells,
22 Nov – Borough Theatre, Abergavenny,
23 Nov – The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre, Taunton,
24 Nov – The Stables, Milton Keynes,
25 Nov – New Vic Theatre, Newcastle Under Lyme,
26 Nov – Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock,
27 Nov – Town Hall, Cheltenham,
29 Nov – Royal & Derngate, Northampton,
30 Nov – Epsom Playhouse, Epsom,
01 Dec – The Winding Wheel, Chesterfield,
02 Dec – Huddersfield Town Hall, Huddersfield,
03 Dec – Sage, Gateshead,
04 Dec – Leeds Town Hall, Leeds,
06 Dec – Great British Folk Festival, Skegness,
08 Dec – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds,
09 Dec – Corn Exchange, Ipswich,
10 Dec – St Mary’s In The Castle, Hastings,
12 Dec – The Lighthouse, Poole,
13 Dec – Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch,
14 Dec – Cadogan Hall, London,
15 Dec – St George’s Bristol, Bristol,
16 Dec – Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth,
17 Dec –City Hall, Salisbury,