Fairport Convention Jewel in the Crown CD

Fairport Convention were a highly influential English folk-rock band from the late 60s. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1968, but wasn't a commercial success. It took until their third album, 1969's Unhalfbricking, for them to gain mainstream recognition. The album reached No.12 in the charts and is considered one of the best British folk-rock albums ever made.

However, tragedy struck just before it's release when the band's van crashed on the M1 motorway, killing 19-year old drummer Martin Lamble and Jeannie Franklyn, the girlfriend of guitarist Richard Thompson. Several other band members were hurt, though all recovered and decided to continue with the band.

Just seven months later they released Liege & Lief. Despite charting five places below Unhalfbricking, Liege & Lief was just as highly praised by critics, and it has since been voted the "Best Folk Album Ever" by listeners of BBC Radio 2.

The 70s saw major changes in the line-up of the band, and the recorded output suffered as a result. Founding members Thompson and Ashley Hutchings, as well as lead vocalist Sandy Denny, all left the band in the early part of the decade. Although they continued to be a popular live act - particularly at the folk festival they curated in Oxfordshire - in 1979 they found themselves without a record deal. Bass guitarist Dave Pegg and his wife Christine formed Woodworm Records specifically for Fairport Convention releases. A version of the band has continued to perform live and release albums ever since.