Linda Thompson | Artist

Linda Thompson aka Linda Pettifer aka Linda Peters is an English singer-songwriter born 1947 in Hackney, London. Born Linda Pettifer, she moved from Hackney, London to Glasgow Scotland at the age of six. In her early years as a folk artist she worked under the name Linda Peters, then changed her name when she married English folk musician Richard Thompson. Linda Thompson is one of the most recognised names and voices in the British folk rock movement of the 1970s and 1980s, in collaboration with fellow British folk rock musician, guitarist Richard Thompson, to whom she was married for ten years, and later as a solo artist. Around 1966 she started singing in folk clubs in London under the name Linda Peters. By day she sang advertising jingles, including one with Manfred Mann. She recorded the Bob Dylan song "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere", released on MGM in 1968 by Paul McNeill and Linda Peters, McNeill being another friend of Sandy Denny and Alex Campbell. They released a second single as Paul and Linda in 1969 "You're Taking My Bag". She met Richard Thompson in 1969, but they did not record together until 1972. She was invited to join the Bunch, a loose supergroup of folk rock artists including former Fairport Convention members Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson, and Ashley Hutchings which recorded an album called Rock On, based on 1950s rock'n'roll classics. A single was released from the album: The Everly Brothers' hit "When Will I Be Loved", which was a duet by Linda and Sandy. A second single was released soon afterwards "The Loco-Motion", sung by Linda alone. Later in 1972 Linda and Richard were backing singers on Sandy Denny's solo album Sandy. She was also a member of iconic UK prog-folk outfit Tudor Lodge in 1972, sang on Fairport's 1973 album Rosie, and on Richard Thompson's debut Henry the Human Fly. Linda then teamed up with Simon Nicol and Richard Thompson, after he left Fairport. Calling themselves "Hokey Pokey", they toured as a trio. Linda and Richard married in 1972. The next album I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (1974) was credited to Richard and Linda Thompson. Two albums followed in 1975: Hokey Pokey and Pour Down Like Silver. After an unhappy period spent on a Sufi sect communune, and a self-imposed musical hiatus by Richard, the Thompson's re-emerged in 1978 with their come-back album First Light. Sunnyvista followed in 1979, then Shoot Out the Lights was released in 1982, the same year Richard and Linda became divorced. All of the Richard & Linda Thompson albums come most highly recommended. Linda lost her voice for the next two years as a result of spasmodic dysphonia. She made a new start in 1984, singing with the folk group Home Service at the National Theatre's production of The Mysteries. In 1985 she released her debut solo album One Clear Moment, then fell silent again for eleven years. Linda stepped away from music to run an antique jewellery shop in Bond Street, central London, and married Steve Kenis, an American recording artists agent. Despite her ongoing health struggles, Linda has released a further four studio albums. Standouts include Fashionably Late (2002), Versatile Heart (2007), Won't be Long Now (2013), Proxy Music (2024), plus the excellent compilation Dreams Fly Away: A History of Linda Thompson (1996). The album Proxy Music showcases Linda's songs performed by a remarkable list of Family members and friends including her daughter Kami Thompson, son Teddy Thompson, Martha and Rufus Wainwright, Eliza Carthy, John Grant, The Rails, The Unthanks, and The Proclaimers. Linda herself provides backing vocals and Richard Thompson plays guitar. In 2024 Richard Thompson's touring band for the album Ship to Shore included Richard & Linda's grandson Zak Hobbs. Linda's brother is the South African born UK actor Brian Pettifer.

Artist Website: lindathompsonmusic.com

Featured Albums: Linda Thompson

Related Artists: Richard & Linda Thompson, Richard Thompson, The Bunch, Sandy Denny, Teddy Thompson, Linda Peters