Dave Swarbrick

David Cyril Eric Swarbrick (5 April 1941 – 3 June 2016) was an English folk musician and singer-songwriter. He has been described by Ashley Hutchings as 'the most influential British fiddle player bar none' and his style has been copied or developed by almost every British, and many world folk violin players who have followed him. He was one of the most highly regarded musicians produced by the second British folk revival, contributing to some of the most important groups and projects of the 1960s, and he became a much sought-after session musician, which has led him throughout his career to work with many of the major figures in folk and folk rock music.

His work for Fairport Convention from 1969 has been credited with leading them to produce their seminal album Liege and Lief (1969) which initiated the electric folk movement. This, and his subsequent career, helped create greater interest in British traditional music and was highly influential within mainstream rock. After 1970 he emerged as Fairport Convention's leading figure and guided the band through a series of important albums until its disbandment in 1979.

He also played in a series of smaller, acoustic units and engaged in solo projects which have maintained a massive output of recordings, a significant profile and have made a major contribution to the interpretation of traditional British music.

Links to Peel
Swarbrick enjoyed a creative partnership with Martin Carthy for many years: 'Gentleman Soldier', which was featured on their 1967 LP Byker Hill, was subsequently recorded by Jack The Lad and became a JP favourite.

Swarbrick was also one of the guests on Young Tradition's final LP Galleries.

Festive Fifty Entries

 * None

Sessions

 * None in his own right, but he appeared on Fairp andort's #8 the last three of Viv Stanshall's sessions.

Other Shows Played

 * 12 August 1976: Fairport Convention, 'Sir Patrick Spens (LP-Full House)' (Island) (JP: 'The harrowing story of Sir Patrick Spens, sung by Dave Swarbrick of course.')
 * L072: 'The Sheepstealer (LP-Skin And Bone)' (Special Delivery) Andy Kershaw show, 1992-12-19