Steeleye Span

Gerry Conway, Farewell

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Gerry Conway, the beating heart of folk rock, passed away on March 29th; the giant of gentle percussion touch was only 76. It’s impossible to overestimate his part in creating the musical alloy of traditional idioms and pop trends, as Gerry will forever remain the only drummer to have played, either as ensemble member or guest, on albums by STEELEYE SPAN, FOTHERINGAY, THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND, MAGNA CARTA, PENTANGLE, FAIRPORT CONVENTION and JETHRO TULL as well as Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny, Iain Matthews, the McGarrigle sisters and Cat Stevens. Also worth mentioning is Conway’s work with Alexis Korner and Jim Capaldi – the latter, himself a master of rhythm, knew a worthy professional when he saw one.

Gerry’s ascension started with ECLECTION’s with self-titled platter, and it didn’t take long for him to become an in-demand performer who left an indelible mark on such classic records as Al Stewart’s “Zero She Flies” and Joan Armatrading’s “Whatever’s For Us” plus “Woman” by Michael McGear who, being a Beatle‘s brother, could pick any skin-hitter there was – and picked the best: Conway.

Without him songs on Linda Lewis’ “Not A Little Girl Anymore” and Murray Head’s “Shade” wouldn’t have sounded the same – and neither would Ian Anderson‘s “The Secret Language Of Birds”; add to this his contributions to the oeuvre of such different artists as Chris de Burgh and Johns Cale and Hiatt, and the veteran’s stylistic all-roundedness becomes apparent. What, perhaps, doesn’t is the taste and tact with which Gerry Conway’s applied his every beat – because his drumming always came across as a work of love.

Just as warm he was as a person, and that’s why it’s so sad to see him gone. There was, is and will be no other musician of such a stature. Sending condolences to his wife Jacqui McShee, one should find consolation in Gerry’s legacy retaining its significance even after his passing.

Continue at source: Gerry Conway, Farewell | DMME.net

Bob Johnson obituary

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Steeleye Span guitarist whose rock, blues and folk influences became crucial to the band’s success

When Steeleye Span ended their most recent tour with a sold-out show at Cadogan Hall in London, they began it with The Green Man, a song about environmental concerns written by their former guitarist Bob Johnson that had been lost for 40 years and never performed or recorded until 2023. It was a poignant reminder of the key role that Johnson, who has died aged 79, played in Steeleye’s lengthy history as a band that took folk-rock to the charts and into large concert halls around the world.

Johnson was a rock guitarist with a background in blues and folk, and he fused those influences to provide new melodies or arrangements for epic traditional ballads such as Thomas the Rhymer, Long Lankin or Tam Lin that became crucial to Steeleye’s sound and success.

He joined Steeleye Span in 1972 at the suggestion of the band’s fiddle player, Peter Knight, during what seemed to be a difficult time for the group. Two of their most distinguished and popular members, Ashley Hutchings and Martin Carthy, had just left, and Johnson was then largely unknown, as was the new bass player, Rick Kemp. Their arrival, as their singer Maddy Prior said, “changed it completely – we became much more of a rock band”.

Below the Salt, the first album from the new lineup, featured Johnson’s fresh version of the traditional song King Henry, along with Gaudete, an a capella carol that he had heard sung in church, and which became a hit single, reaching No 14 in the charts. The new Steeleye brought traditional songs to a new audience around the world as they toured extensively in the US backing major rock bands including Procol Harum, Jethro Tull and the Beach Boys.

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