death

Folk musician and BBC presenter Archie Fisher dies aged 86

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Archie Fisher
Archie Fisher

The singer, songwriter and guitarist had presented BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk from 1983 to 2010.

Folk musician and former BBC Scotland presenter Archie Fisher has died at the age of 86.

The singer, songwriter and guitarist had presented BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk from 1983 to 2010.

Born in Glasgow into a singing family, he released a number of albums over the years and was among the earliest steel-string players in British folk music.

In 2006, he was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours for services to traditional Scottish music.

In posts on social media, Scottish singing star Barbara Dickson described him as “the great Archie Fisher”.

She said: “My musical mentor and huge cultural icon here in Scotland. Rest in Peace, Archie. Bx”.

Scottish BBC radio and TV presenter Vic Galloway said: “I’m very sad to hear the news about the passing of Archie Fisher.

“I met him many times at the BBC over the years & he was always a real gentleman, as well as being a great broadcaster. Obviously he was a legend of Scottish folk & traditional music as well… Archie RIP.”

Scottish folk singer Iona Fyfe said: “So sad to hear of the passing of Archie Fisher. A true folk music hero and inspiration. Rest easy Archie. Thoughts with the family and all who loved Archie and his music.”

Fisher, who died on Saturday, moved to Edinburgh in 1960 and lived in the south of Scotland in his final years.

Source: Folk musician and BBC presenter Archie Fisher dies aged 86

Musician Danny Thompson dies at 86

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Danny Thompson R.I.P. This announcement just in:

Danny Thompson

“Legendary acoustic bass player Danny Thompson died peacefully yesterday at his home in Rickmansworth, UK. A musician who was both beloved and admired by everybody he worked with, his body of work is unparalleled in its quality and also in the incredibly varied number of musicians he worked with.

From Kate Bush and John Martyn, to his role as a founding member of the legendary band Pentangle; from featuring on the Thunderbirds theme tune, and playing bass for Roy Orbison when The Beatles were still the opening act; to collaborations with jazz greats like Tubby Hayes and Stan Tracey, as well as work with Donovan, June Tabor, Nick Drake, Richard Thompson, and The Blind Boys of Alabama. Danny was a force of nature. A player who served the song and who enriched the lives of every single person he met. He will be sorely missed.”

British Folk Hero Wizz Jones Has Died

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British folk great Wizz Jones has died.

By Robin Murray

The news was confirmed overnight (April 27th) in a statement on the songwriter’s social media channels, penned by his son, Simeon Jones. Wizz Jones had been in poor health for some time, and passed away in a hospice two days after his 86th birthday

Born and brought up in Surrey, Wizz Jones became fascinated with the guitar following the impact of the skiffle movement. Drawn to American influences, he grew his hair long after seeing pictures of Woozy Guthrie and members of the Beat Generation – his mother gave him the long-standing nickname, inspired by Beano character Wizzy the Wuz.

A forward-thinking acoustic guitarist, Wizz Jones soon became a key fixture of the London folk scene, influencing those around him. Finally releasing his solo debut in 1969, he balanced a singular career with a long-standing passion for collaboration.

Writing, recording, and touring across the decades, the 21st century seemed to allow this perennially underrated figure to take a bit more of the limelight. Touring until the end, Wizz Jones played his final show at London’s Ivy House earlier this year.

In the note from his family, son Simeon Jones writes:

With an extremely heavy heart, I’m letting you all know that my beloved father, the great Wizz Jones, passed away early this morning, two days after his 86th birthday.

His loss has left a huge hole in the lives of our family and has robbed the music world of one of its precious treasures.

His health declined rapidly this year and we thank Trinity Hospice for making his last few days as comfortable as possible.

Always a humble man, these were his closing words at the end of his last ever gig earlier this year, February 28th 2025:

“Thanks to all the people – all over the world in fact – that heard my songs and my guitar playing, and came to my gigs for all those years. Thank you very much.”

Here’s a song from that gig, written by his life-long dear friend Alan Tunbridge.

Wizz was worried about disappointing the audience with his now weak singing voice, but even more worried about letting them down by not showing up…

Spoiler alert – it’s a bit of a tear-jerker.

I hope his wonderful music will live on and continue to make the world a richer place.

Thank you for all the love you’ve given him through the years.

– Simeon

Source: British Folk Hero Wizz Jones Has Died | News | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews

Wizz Jones final gig February 2025