Simon Nicol in conversation at Cecil Sharp House

Simon Nicol in conversation at Cecil Sharp House

From Folk on Foot by Matthew Bannister

April 26, 2026 · 55 min · Season 6 · Episode 221

About this episode

Simon Nicol discusses his 60-year musical career and the history of Fairport Convention in an intimate conversation.

Fairport Convention founder member Simon Nicol joins Matthew Bannister on stage at the Indoor Festival of Folk at Cecil Sharp House to review a musical career lasting over 60 years. Simon talks about teaming up with Ashley Hutchings and Richard Thompson to start Fairport, tells how the band got its name from his family home and gives an emotional account of the motorway crash that killed drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson’s girlfriend Jeannie Franklin. Then he recounts the making of the legendary album Liege and Lief and explains how the band still survives and thrives despite countless line up changes. It’s an intimate and revealing conversation with a key player in the creation of English folk rock. --- We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either... Become a member and get great rewards: patreon.com/folkonfoot Or just buy us a coffee: ko-fi.com/folkonfoot Sign up for our newsletter at www.folkonfoot.com Follow us on Facebook/Instagram/Bluesky: @folkonfoot --- Find out more about Simon and Fairport Convention at https://www.fairportconvention.com Cover photo by Alan Blundell Hosted on Acast. See…

People in this episode

Host: Matthew Bannister

Guest: Simon Nicol

Topics covered

  • folk music
  • musical career
  • Fairport Convention
  • English folk rock
  • interview
  • Cecil Sharp House

Keywords

  • Simon Nicol
  • Fairport Convention
  • Cecil Sharp House
  • folk music
  • Liege and Lief
  • interview
  • music history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Fairport Convention

Books & works: Liege and Lief

Places: Cecil Sharp House

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