STEVE ASHLEY

 

Steve Ashley has long been regarded as one of British folk's finest singer-songwriters. His reputation for writing contemporary songs inspired by the English Tradition was established in 1974 with his innovative debut album, Stroll On. Since then his songs have been recorded by many leading folk artists including Fairport Convention, Anne Briggs, Dave Pegg and PJ Wright, The Arizona Smoke Review, Martin and Jessica Simpson, Grace Notes, Phil Beer, Maggie Boyle and The Bushwackers.

He has also played a significant role in the development of British folk-rock, performing as a lead singer with the first Albion Country Band, then with his own Ragged Robin and various line-ups of The Steve Ashley Band. He has also performed occasionally with members of Fairport Convention.

BORN IN LONDON in 1946, Steve Ashley began singing traditional songs in the folk clubs of West London in 1961. In 1964 he moved to Maidstone to study Graphic Design. There with Peter Bellamy he helped to establish the successful Maidstone Folk Club. He also sang and played harmonica in the Art College blues band The Tea Set.

IN 1969 Steve appeared on record for the first time when, at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios, he sang harmony vocals on several tracks of Shirley and Dolly Collins’ classic album Anthems in Eden (Harvest).

In 1971 Steve signed a publishing contract with Harbrook Music. That same year, folk singer Anne Briggs recorded his song Fire and Wine and Steve had a three-week residency on BBC's Start The Week with Richard Baker. His song The Waiting Game was used in a Labour Party election broadcast on unemployment.

IN JANUARY 1973 Steve formed his own band Ragged Robin with Richard Byers, Brian Diprose and John Thompson. Ragged Robin completed a six month residency at The Howff in Primrose Hill, London and made various UK concert appearances including a performance at Cambridge Folk Festival. Later that year Anne Briggs invited Ragged Robin to record with her, six tracks of her own songs for an album for Polydor. In October of 1973 Ragged Robin disbanded.

 

Shortly afterwards, on Steve's initiative, a new London folk club was created at The New Merlin's Cave in King's Cross. The idea was for resident performers to try out new songs and invite friends and other artists to perform there. Co-residents with Steve were Richard Thompson, Linda Peters and Simon Nicol (Sour Grapes), Richard Byers (Ragged Robin), Robin and Barry Dransfield and Lea Nicholson. The club was named Merlin's and among the many guest artists to perform there were: Sandy Denny, Bert Lloyd, Dick Gaughan, The Etchingham Steam Band, Peter Bellamy, Royston Wood and Heather Wood, Beverley Martin and Ron Geesin. The running of the club was organised by Heather Wood and Anthea Joseph.