British folk icon Richard Thompson has been discussing the shared spirit among artists associated with producer Joe Boyd in the late 1960s, including Nick Drake, John Martyn and members of Fairport Convention. Recalling a 1969 gathering at the Royal Festival Hall, Thompson noted that contemporaries such as Billy Connolly, then performing with Gerry Rafferty in The Humblebums, were part of a tight-knit backstage circle.
Reflecting on that era, Thompson explained that while the stable of musicians felt distinct from mainstream culture, commercial success eluded them at the time, with few records selling during the artists' lifetimes. The 77-year-old singer-songwriter made the remarks while discussing his latest musical offering, a release titled Hippies, Thugs and Heroes.
Original source: ‘A guy held a knife to my throat and said: play something normal!’ Richard Thompson on crazy crowds, his beloved beret and Sandy Denny’s driving skills
