Prior, Maddy (1947–)

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Prior, Maddy (1947–)

English folksinger. Name variations: Steeleye Span. Born Aug 14, 1947, in Blackpool, England; m. Rick Kemp (bass player); children: 2.

Lead singer for band Steeleye Span (formed 1969), which attempted to combine traditional British folk songs with electric instruments; initially performed and recorded traditional music with Tim Hart (late 1960s), before they both joined Steeleye Span; with band, found success with 3rd album, Below the Salt (1972), had hit single "Thomas the Rhymer" and made 1st US chart appearance with title track from All Around My Hat (1975); with traditional singer June Tabor, recorded album Silly Sisters (1976); with Steeleye Span, gave live performance, recorded as Live at Last (1978), before disbanding; reunited with group (1980) and released several albums, including Sails of Silver (1980), Back in Line (1986), and Tonight's the Night, Live (1992); left band (1999) and went solo, releasing numerous albums, including Flesh and Blood (1998), Ravenchild (2000) and Bib and Tuck (2002).