The Spinners - A Huge Influence
Ever since the interview I did with Ian Campbell went out on the programme last week, I've been getting emails pointing out that another group, as influential as The Campbells, Ìýhardly gets a mention nowadays...
In my own defence I have to say that I pointed out in the interview that the
In a way the current 'folk boom' (whatever that is) has neglected to reflect on the real roots of the revival without which, this resurgence of interest would never have happened. Individuals like Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger and Bert Lloyd were undoubtedly great powerhouses behind the revival, but the popularizers were bands like The Ian Campbell Folk Group and The Spinners.
Thinking back on it, The Spinners' contribution to the folk scene was immense, not just their concerts or their albums but in the way they supported the EFDSS over the years; the way they helped young singers and musicians through their own folk club in Liverpool, and the way they worked so hard to get the songs and music out to a wider audience through their magazine, Spin. In my own early days in the folk clubs of
Cliff Hall is no longer with us, but
You can find current news on the Spinners at
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Comment number 1.
At 19th Aug 2008, Keith wrote:Anyone that ever sets out to make Folk Music "popular" and draw in a new, larger audience always runs the risk of being sniffed at by the Folk Snobs. Of course, the Spinners were VERY popular: perhaps even more popular than even Show of Hands are today. There has been a LOT of sniffing from certain quarters, over the years, although fortunately it all seemed to die down when Cliff died.
Not only did I grow up with Spinners records, but Jacqui McDonald later ran a folk club round here where she booked the likes of Eric Bogle and Harvey Andrews and hence gave me the chance to see great people I had only previously heard on record.
One of the main current targets for the folk snobs (other than "popular" performers) is the Mike Harding show itself, for allegedly not being "challenging" enough. Fortunately, most popular artists and presenters know what to do with such criticism: ignore it!
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Comment number 2.
At 20th Aug 2008, goochie1961 wrote:Totally agree Keith.I grew up with the Spinners' music,as my parents were fans,and it opened up a whole new world of music to me in the early 70's and got me away from "glam rock".
The Spinners were very popular because they enabled us to learn about folk music and let us join in the joy that the music can bring.
I still go to see Hughie Jones when i can and,even at 70,he performs with the enthusiasm he always had.I would heartily recommend Hughie's solo cds and also Mick's cd of MacColl songs.Also,if you happen to be in Liverpool on a Tuesday night,you could do a lot worse than go along to Hughie's Everyman Folk Club(starts again on 2/09).
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