Maddy Prior | Artist

Madelaine Edith "Maddy" Prior, MBE is an English folk singer born 1947 in Blackpool, UK. Prior is best known as the lead vocalist of Steeleye Span but she has had an extensive solo career plus collaborations with June Tabor and fellow Steeleye members Tim Hart and Rick Kemp. Prior was married to Rick Kemp and their daughter Rose Kemp is also a singer. In her teens Prior began performing with friend Tim Hart and together they recorded three albums of traditional English folk music before becoming founding members of Steeleye Span in 1969. Except for a break between 1997-2002 she has been with Steeleye continuously to the present day, and been the lead voice on all of their finest albums. Prior also formed the project Silly Sisters with fellow UK folk legend June Tabor, and they have recorded two excellent albums. Prior's solo recordings cover an eclectic range of styles from medieval ballads to traditional English folk and folk-rock. Standout solo albums include Year, Arthur the King, Lionhearts and Seven for Old England. Since 2003, Prior has also run and hosted an Arts Centre called Stones Barn in Cumbria. Working with fellow singers and performers including daughter Rose Kemp, Prior offers courses focusing on singing, meditation, cookery and performance.

Artist Website: steeleyespan.org.uk/band/maddy-prior/

Featured Albums: Maddy Prior

Related Artists: Steeleye Span, Silly Sisters, Tim Hart & Maddy Prior