Alexandra Elene McLean Denny was born in London, on January 6, 1947 and died on April 21, 1978. She was one of the finest and most talented singers Britain has ever seen. She was the lead singer of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay, played with The Strawbs, and also recorded several remarkable solo albums.
Initially a folk-singer who gained reputation on club scene before joining Strawbs in early days – recorded one album. May 1968 joined Fairport Convention, established herself as top British female vocalist, before quitting at time of band’s greatest national popularity, DecemberI969.
Formed own band Fotheringay March 1970 (Trevor Lucas gtr, vcls!Jerry Donahue gtr/Pat Donaldson bs/Geriy Conway drms). Despite individual reputations of members and partial commercial success of (I), band was unsuccessful and was dissolved in the throes of recording second album.
Sandy’s personal standing remained high, and each of her subsequent solo albums met with critical, and some commercial success. Also participated with other folk/rock musicians (collectively known as The Bunch) in venture that resulted in Rock On.
In 1973 she married Trevor Lucas (both he and Donahue had by now been drafted into Fairport) which invited speculation that she would rejoin the band. After assisting them on world tour, winter 1973-74, she finally did in spring 1974.
Appeared with them on one studio album, and left again in February 1976, to embark on both solo career, and also joint career with Lucas.
(I) The Original Sandy Denny (Trojan Records 1967)
(2) Fotheringay (Island 1970)
(3) The North Star Grassman And The Ravens
(Island 1972)
(4) Sandy (Island 1972)
(5) Like An Old Fashioned Waltz (Island 1974)
(6) Rendezvous (Island 1977)
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