TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

This just posted on Facebook -

This last week has been a time of sizeable change, and Fairport Convention are no exception to this.
After 24 years in the Drum saddle Gerry Conway will no longer be performing with Fairport.
As Gerry said, ‘I never expected to still be playing at 75, my Mum was always asking me when I’d retire!
Well, I’m not retiring but looking forward to some new adventures. Thanks Fairport, we had some great times.’
We certainly did Gerry. FC x

The coming October tour will see us performing as a 4 piece.
The November 2nd concert at Dudley Town Hall will feature the Fairport Four piece being joined by guests in the first half of the show. Simon, Peggy, Ric, and Chris will be joined by Dave Mattacks for the second half.

From the FC website

This last week has been a time of sizeable change, and Fairport Convention are no exception to this.

After 24 years in the Drum saddle Gerry Conway will no longer be performing with Fairport.

As Gerry said, ‘I never expected to still be playing at 75, my Mum was always asking me when I’d retire!

Well, I’m not retiring but looking forward to some new adventures. Thanks Fairport, we had some great times.’

We certainly did Gerry. FC

The coming October tour will see us performing as a 4 piece.

The November 2nd concert at Dudley Town hall will feature the Fairport Four piece being joined by guests in the first half of the show. Simon, Peggy, Ric, and Chris will be joined by Dave Mattacks for the second half.

Winter Tour 2023 announcements to follow

An interesting statement which I'm probably reading far too much into.

I absolutely adore some of the work Gerry has done over the years - especially Eclection, Fotheringay, Cat Stevens and Tull.  

Sadly I've not really enjoyed his lengthy tenure in Fairport, but I'm not sure whether that's down to him or the material...I strongly suspect the latter.

It will be intriguing to see what comes next.

Not a good day . Arrive at holiday destination to find Gerry has left FC and Neil has left Merry Hell (visa problems for his partner no donations to the government then). All the best to them both. I need a pint , The Driftwood Spars is calling me home.

All the best for Gerry and his future plans. I guess that’s why any announcement for the Wintour wasn’t forthcoming. Hopefully Fairport can find a replacement and look forward to a successful tour.

Indeed, all the very best to Gerry. If DM isn't able to join for the tour maybe Paul Burgess depending on his availability would be a good temporary fit.

DW

I'll miss Gerry. He's an original and creative drummer, I've seen him play with FC and Pentangle and he brought something quite unique to both.

I wonder who will replace him? DM is a US resident. Will be interesting to see :)

Gosh. End of an era. I knew this Fairport stability couldn't last!  ;)

Farewell, Gerry, and thanks.

Jules

I was thinking just the other week that this lineup would be celebrating their silver anniversary next year.  Pretty amazing considering the turmoil in the band's first decade.  But 'twas obviously not to be...

Good luck to Gerry and thanks for your work with Fairport over the past 24 years. Interesting that the band intend to tour as 4 piece initially - echos of the Fairport Acoustic of the Maart era.

Great guy, great drummer...wishing Gerry all the best for the future !

Sad news… too many changes this week… new monarch, new PM and now no Gerry… good luck Gerry xx

Sad news, good luck Gerry xx

Gerry's a fine percussionist - not "just" a kit drummer.  It's sad to see him depart FC, so let's wish him all the best in whatever comes next...

Is DM based in the Netherlands these days? I'm sure I read/heard that somewhere recently.

I think that it was Iain Matthews in the Netherlands (but I could easily be wrong!)

Yes, IM is based there.  It must have been over the Cropredy weekend that the DM/NL connection came up - I think, in conversation, somebody mentioned he'd relocated from the USA...

DM's Facebook profile still states he lives in Boston.

What a strange announcement. The FC website just says the same. No thanks for 24 years or good wishes.

I think this is a good move for the band overall. DM’s drumming was far more to my taste. Although with all members now the wrong side of 70, perhaps the precipitates the start of them at least slowing down?

As one late to the party, who first saw Fairport live in 1997, he has been the only drummer I have REALLY known them with, so this is a big change!

Good luck Gerry.

Exactly that. I've been with him in the studio and he was full of inventive fills.
He played at the first gig I went to with my new girlfriend (Lady YaBB).
I've meet him and Jacqui many times. Both lovely.

All members aren’t the wrong side of 70… one has a long way to go yet still!

4 and a bit years will flash by in the blink of an eye ;)  And actually, Ric's not 70 til December either...

Gosh! My total mistake - you are of course right. *feeling embarrassed* !!! Long may they keep playing.

Thanks for the music, Gerry!  It doesn't surprise me that he's leaving, seeing how he was struggling to get onto the drum riser at Cropredy. I guess the idea of touring may be what he doesn't want to do any more, as he says he's not giving up playing altogether.  It will be interesting to see who they get in to replace him.

We love Brother Conway in Austin. Here we are at the Woodford Halse Social Club on August 6, 2007. We will miss you GC.

It's a fairly crucial decision which I think will define whether there is any "-rock" left in the old girl at all (I'm somewhat unconvinced) or whether they're comfortable doing the acoustic thing most of the time with added DM at Croppers/special occasions?

He didn't look too comfortable walking at the 2nd warmup show, either - hope it's nothing serious.  The statement says "no longer performing with FC" - so studio sessions with the band not ruled out, then?

Now we're meandering down this particular path, I'm going to say that I thought something was up when I saw the band at Farnham Maltings on this year's Wintour.

He played the set beautifully, but no more than what was required musically. He seemed to find walking on to the stage difficult, and after the final notes of Matty Groves before Meet On The Ledge, everyone else left the stage but Gerry, who stayed seated behind the kit, elbows down on the snare drum, head in his hands as if pretending to hide - possibly going off and coming on again would've been too much for him.

While he played as well as ever, his drumming lacked some of its previous power, almost as if he was just "getting through" the gig. I'm not using this as a stick to beat him with  ;) as he's such a good player and a lovely guy, but I thought back then "I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see much more of Gerry".

As Paul says above, I hope it's nothing serious. I wish him all the best for a long (and hopefully only semi-) retirement. Much respect to Gerry for being Fairport's longest-serving stick swiper.

And, of course, best wishes to whoever his successor may be.

I seem to remember the rest of the band helping him out from behind his drum kit (probably as a bit of a joke) back around 2005/6.

We have tickets for the Beehive at Honiton next month, will be really sad not to see Gerry.  I would imagine they will adjust the set accordingly .

Likewise. I've probably seen DM more times with RT than with Fairport. Presumably Gerry is still in good health but I'm guessing that he'd probably had enough of being on the road.

I'm put in mind of Jet Black who latterly just drummed for part of Stranglers' concerts before retiring from the band completely. Difference there was that it was pretty much Jet's band and the others still asked his approval of new material.

Anyway, best wishes to Sir Gerald!  :)

Jet carried on bashing (and he did bash!) until 79.  He's 84 now I think.

In thinking about what’s next it is interesting to note that with few exceptions, new members of Fairport have always come from circles of friends and or other bands Fairport has familiarity with. Chris Leslie, Gerry, Maart, Ric, Jerry D, Trevor, Dan Ar Braz, to name a few. Not sure how Bruce came to the band, though obviously the guys would have been aware of him and I’m guessing it was down to making sure he was comfortable. So you really have to go back to DM, and Peggy for guys who were actually auditioned in  the traditional sense, though even that came with Swarbs recommendation. My point is I’d be very surprised if it was not someone they already knew. Not sure of their commitments and fit with Fairport but on these lines, how about Michael Gregory or Liam Genockey?

In any event, cheers Gerry! Top gent and great drummer and percussionist!

Liam is busy in a Folk Rock band that does still 'Rock'.. 😉  ;D

If they're going to get an ex-Steeleye drummer in, let's make sure it's DM  ;) :)

I know Liam is already ‘employed’, I hasten to add. Just having a little fun!

Speculating wildly, I wonder whether they're going to do the acoustic/no drummer thing most of the time going forward, picking up drummers on special occasions or for limited "electric" tours. If they're in the market for a full-time drummer, however, I nominate my second favorite* living English drummer, Kenney Jones. I've listened to the entire Small Faces catalog a zillion times, and I am addicted to his bass drum.  :)

*Ringo Starr is busy.

I've always rated Kenney, but I can barely think of a single drummer who less matches the requirements of Fairport in the 3rd decade of the 21st century.  Can you genuinely imagine KJ playing on Shuffle and Go?  Anyway, I think he's more interested in polo these days, isn't he? ;)

It was bittersweet reading that announcement the other day. It did not come as a surprise, I was almost expecting it. I have always loved Gerry’s playing, especially his use of percussion in addition to the full kit. I first saw the band in 2005 so he’s always been a defining part of that sound for me. In recent years, though, I will confess I have been more excited about DM joining them on stage at Cropredy because he just puts a bit more power behind it. This year, in particular, me and a friend of mine both kind of gave each other a look when the band came on for the Acoustic set on the Thursday. A look that said  “Gerry doesn’t look well”.

I’m sure this is a dramatic reading of it and that he is perfectly fine just looking for a change of pace. For a band consisting of mostly guys in their 70’s they do well to gig as extensively as they do and I have nothing but respect for them and, in this context, Gerry for keeping it going.

I certainly hope this change becomes a positive one, and that a newcomer can bring some new life into the band. My candidate would be TRADarrr’s Mark Stevens but I expect his diary is pretty full.

Sorry to see Gerry go, but not surprised, given the physical demands of drumming (and touring), and his age.  
He's had a good innings with Fairport, and personally I preferred him to DM whose style I find a bit monotonous at times.
No idea who will replace him - maybe someone (with more knowledge of musicianship than me) could open a book?

I think that Trad Arr could provide excellent backup for more than just the drum stool.

My dramatic reading is the same as yours.  A younger folk-rocking drummer would of course be great but what band would they be joining?  As a jobbing band, Fairport are not (and have not been for a very long time I don't think) a folk-rock band.

They are, but it's a sliding scale. They need a percussionist these days rather than a full-blown Bonzo  :)

My vote is for Owain Wyn Evans...

Lol.  At least he'd be good at predicting the Thomo precipitation effect at Cropredy.

How about Cormac Byrne? He's more of a percussionist than a drummer. He's played with Seth Lakeman and Show of Hands though I think the first time I saw him was when he was in Uiscedwr.

And he would bring the average age down a bit.  ;D

Quite a list of people he's worked with...
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/about-us/birmingham-conservatoire-tutors-and-staff/cormac-byrne

Potential replacements:

Mike Gregory - old mate of the band, folk rock royalty, part of Rics trio. May suit the "lighter" FC sound
Paul Burgess - heavier drummer, followed Gerry in Tull, followed a parallel path to Fairport, seasoned no nonsense professional
Mark Stevens - great folk rock fit, would the chance to play with FC lure him away from Tradarrr
Neil Marshall - one from a few years back but his work with the Albions / Blue Tapestry / touring with Beth NC was excellent - where is he now
Clive Bunker - keep the Tull link going, would Clive fancy taking the drum stool on with FC or is he too long in the tooth

Or maybe no replacement and DM / Gerry come back for Cropredy to fill an otherwise acoustic 4 piece.

Interesting times.

DW

I could definitely see Mike Gregory / Neil Marshall in the current lineup.  Not sure about the others...  Do wonder if the final option is the most likely.

Well, I do hope there will be a drummer/percussionist following Gerry, but firstly
Thank You, Gerry, for 24 years of vital contribution to FC music.
All the best to you.

Sorry to hear this, but after seeing him at Cropredy not hugely surprised. Thanks and all the best, Gerry.

As for a replacement, what's Barriemore Barlow doing these days?

Long retired isn't he?

I think so, yeah.  But would be perfect if he fancied one more go around...

Would be very interesting indeed, but highly unlikely IMHO. He's a very busy lad already.

I guess if this is the case then the Wintour would likely be cancelled (as no different to Autumn or Spring tour)….

I'm not sure one necessarily leads to the other does it?