John Peel Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
John Peel Wiki
Advertisement
Register
in: Artists, Folk

Richard Thompson

Sign in to edit
B1RmGQ7bwhS

Richard John Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949) is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist. He made his début as a recording artist as a member of Fairport Convention in September 1967. In January 1971 Thompson announced that he was leaving Fairport Convention and in April 1972 he released his first solo album Henry the Human Fly, recording with Sandy Denny, Pat Donaldson, Sue Draheim, John Kirkpatrick, Barry Dransfield, Ashley Hutchings, Linda Peters, Andy Roberts, and others. By this time Thompson had begun a relationship with the singer Linda Peters, who had sung on Henry the Human Fly. In October 1972 the couple were married, and Thompson, with Linda now effectively his front woman, regrouped for his next album and the next phase of his career under the name of Richard & Linda Thompson.

The first Richard and Linda Thompson album, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, was recorded in May 1973 in short time and on a small budget. Largely because of the petrol shortage in Britain and its impact on the availability of vinyl for records, Bright Lights was held back by Island Records for nearly a year before being released in April 1974. The album was well received by the critics, though sales were less than stellar.

In 1982 Richard and Linda Thompson split up, with both their marriage and their on-stage partnership coming to an end. Both Linda and Richard subsequently pursued solo careers.

Links To Peel[]

Peel was an admirer of Richard Thompson's songwriting and guitar playing, especially when he was in Fairport Convention. He played on all of Fairport's Peel sessions until his departure from the band and wrote some of their best-known songs, including "Meet On The Ledge", "Genesis Hall", and "Farewell, Farewell". The DJ continued this interest during Thompson's initial solo career and his later collaborations with his wife Linda. Thompson was also a favourite of Peel's friend and colleague Andy Kershaw.

In 1974, Peel listed Richard and Linda Thompson's 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight' among his 1974 Top Ten Albums, and in 1997 he included the same LP in his all-time Top 20 Albums for the Guardian newspaper. On his 18 November 1999 show, the DJ choose the song 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight' in the Peelenium 1974 as one of his four favourites of that year.

In 2003, Peel narrated the BBC documentary Originals: Solitary Life Richard Thompson, which profiled the life of the musician.

Festive Fifty Entries[]

Peelenium[]

Sessions[]

I'm_Turning_Off_A_Memory_(BBC_Session)

I'm Turning Off A Memory (BBC Session)

None as solo artist. Three with Linda Thompson, all available on Richard Thompson Featuring Linda Thompson ‎– Live At The BBC (2011, Boxset, BBC). Also recorded sessions as member of Fairport Convention.

1. Recorded: 1973-01-01. Broadcast: 25 January 1973. Repeated: 15 February 1973

  • The Little Beggar Girl / Dragging The River / The Great Valerio / Medley: The Neasden Hornpipe; The Avebury Particle Accelerator; The Flowing Tide

2. Recorded: 1974-02-04. Broadcast: 12 February 1974

  • Hokey Pokey / Georgie On A Spree / I'll Regret It All

3. Recorded: 1975-02-11. Broadcast: 24 February 1975

  • A Heart Needs A Home / Wishing / I'm Turning Off A Memory

Other Shows Played[]

Richard_Thompson_-_The_Angels_Took_My_Racehorse_Away.wmv

Richard Thompson - The Angels Took My Racehorse Away.wmv

Richard Thompson
Richard_and_Linda_Thompson_-_I_Want_To_See_The_Bright_Lights_Tonight

Richard and Linda Thompson - I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Richard & Linda Thompson

See Also[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Page 352 under the section of 17th October 1984 in the Good Night And Good Riddance book, where the author describes what was played on Peel's show ten years ago.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
Advertisement