40 Years Ago Today.....

[clive]

Happy Birthday chaps and thanks

Any idea what was played during the first gig?

[jude]

Happy Birthday chaps and thanks

Any idea what was played during the first gig?

According to Kingsley Abbott's 'Fairportfolio', 'Seven & Seven Is' (Love) and 'My Back Pages' (The Byrds) and probably 'Johnnie B Goode' and 'Hey Joe'. Probably. And some others.

[GubGub (Al)]

It has all been said above but I'd like to add my congratulations & appreciation.

And many more!  

[Sir Robert Peel]

Gather round everyone and charge your glasses.  (Help yourself to nibbles but please crunch quietly - the noise plays havoc with my ear-trumpet.)  
We cannot let this auspicious and momentous anniversary pass without a few well-chosen, wise words (even though I say so myself!)

I'll keep it short.  Thank you, Fairport.  

Thank you for introducing us to English folk songs and demonstrating that they were unsurpassable material for a rock band.  
Thank you for inspiring the numerous musicians, song-writers, bands, bedroom strummers, and air-fiddlers - I only have to look at the number of Myspace musicos that credit your influence, to see how you changed the landscape.  
You have kept going through the difficulties, traumas, upsets and uncertainties - that bloody-minded tenaciousness is a lesson to us all - but more importantly, you have developed and progressed to another level.
I treasure memories of Cropredys past, of warm-ups at Banbury, of uplifting heart-swelling joyous gigs at Burnley, and of the wonderful tear-jerking show at Birmingham in 2007.
Thank you for your warm hearts, your affection, your accessibility and your willingness to listen and engage with your many fans.  

It will be the fifth anniversary of Talkawhile in November.  (A round of applause for Colin Yabbster, who had the courage and audacity to think that there were a couple of Fairport fans who might like to chew over a few things!)  It is a testament to the enduring love of Fairport Convention that the Talkawhile Community is - and let's not beat about the bush - huge and growing.  

Without Fairport, my circle of friends would be a miserable collection of colleagues, neighbours and golfing partners.  Thank you for introducing me to such a fantastic, life-enhancing set of people.  

Sir Robert Peel


 

[PaulT]

And many happy returns to all of you who made Fairport what it is today - and thank you for playing & recording the music I have turned to for most of my life when I needed it most.  Long may your muse(s) inspire you.

[GubGub (Al)]

the wonderful tear-jerking show at Birmingham in 2007.

Why was it tear-jerking Sir Bob? Apologies if this is covered elsewhere.

[Sir Robert Peel]

the wonderful tear-jerking show at Birmingham in 2007.

Why was it tear-jerking Sir Bob? Apologies if this is covered elsewhere.

I'll tell you, Gub-Gub.  

Fairport played a song that was a 'thank you' to their fans.  I can't for the life of me remember its name - I'm 219 years old, so make allowances.  It brought a lump to my throat.  Even young Gerry Conway left his drum kit and stood at a microphone to sing and deliver it.  It was extremely moving.  Lady Peel was in bits and yours truly blew his nose loudly.  

It's typical of Fairport to make such a gesture.  I won't forget Birmingham 2007 for a long time because of that generous, affectionate, sentimental gift to the audience.  It was just lovely.  

Peel

[Pugwash]

btw do we have any members that were at that first gig?
(Yes, I know Simon was, silly  )

Me. I designed the ticket.

Of course silly me sorry Jude!  

[GubGub (Al)]

the wonderful tear-jerking show at Birmingham in 2007.

Why was it tear-jerking Sir Bob? Apologies if this is covered elsewhere.

I'll tell you, Gub-Gub.  

Fairport played a song that was a 'thank you' to their fans.  I can't for the life of me remember its name - I'm 219 years old, so make allowances.  It brought a lump to my throat.  Even young Gerry Conway left his drum kit and stood at a microphone to sing and deliver it.  It was extremely moving.  Lady Peel was in bits and yours truly blew his nose loudly.  

It's typical of Fairport to make such a gesture.  I won't forget Birmingham 2007 for a long time because of that generous, affectionate, sentimental gift to the audience.  It was just lovely.  

Peel

I'm guessing it was "Best Wishes". They made a similar gesture at the Worthing gig. Both the gig and the song have subsequently taken on a special significance for me as a result of a subsequent bereavement (not to be dwelt on further here). They do have an extraordinary knack of "finding special words" at aposite moments don't they!

[Pugwash]

T'was "Long may the ........ by Best Wishes young Steve Ashley.

A damned good song it was too. I believe we should all make the effort to learn it and sing lustily along with the chaps this summer. arf arf

Long may the sun shine on your bones and on your skin
Long may good fortune shine upon your kith and kin
Long may the laughter lines grow into your face
Long may you mastermind a perfect state of grace
May you always love and season well and keep good company
May you always act and reason well wherever you may be
And long may the music keep you gentle and in thrall
And long may its beauty shine to pleasure one and all

Long may your passion take a stand against all wrongs
And long may the fashion last that welcomes all your songs
Long may your journey take you down a friendly road
And long may you learn the ways that lighten up your load
May you always keep good melody and never lose your key
May you always keep your memory and keep your spirit free
And long may the music keep you underneath its spell
And long may you keep it live and always play it well

[Sir Robert Peel]

Thank you Gug-Gug and my dear old chum, Pugwash (who was with me at that particular gig).

The two of you have just confirmed what it means to reach people through Fairport Convention.

Thank you both.  

[Delfini (Diane)]

Thanks Puggs

[Anna]

And best wishes from a mere youngster who wasn't even a twinkle in her daddy's eye in 1967

I'd like to add my thanks to all who have been involved in the Fairport story, who have kept the band going through thick and thin.  Especially those who often are forgotten, the wives and special friends, children, roadies, theatre booking agents, who all keep our beloved Fairports on the road, sane and always coming back for more.

Long may they continue!

[Big Dave]

Only just managed to get to PC.  Sorry for being late but thanks for everything chaps! See you in August  

[PL (Peter)]

Congratulations and
Thank you Fairport in general and the current line up in special for keeping it going and being part of so many special moments.

[johanna/ulla]

Yes, THANK YOU

Without Fairport:
- What would I do on the second weekend in August?
- I would not know what 6X is
- I would not know so many lovely people from all over the world
- I would not listen to so much fantastic music
- I would not spend so much time in England
- I even would not be with the man I love, because it all started 12 years ago, the week before Cropredy  

So again

THANK YOU

[Anji]

Ulla, you've inspired me  

I owe Fairport many thanks for decades of dearly loved music for head, heart, and feet; for good friends and happy times

for the music, the joy, the fun, the adventure, the shopping, the beer, and the life-enhancing-ness that is Cropredy;
all those years of going with Claudie (Banks?) and now with her family, too - three generations of Fairporters  

and it's due to Fairport/Talkawhile/Cropredy that I also am with the man I love  

Hand on heart, my warmest thanks    

[PLW (Peter)]

Convention. Coming together. That's what it's all about, isn't it?

[Delfini (Diane)]

a friend's husband's comment about  Fairport...............


'It's not a band, it's a family'

[Big Dave]

a friend's husband's comment about  Fairport...............


'It's not a band, it's a family'

That just about sums it all up for me.