Steeleye Span Archive Pages

Various short press items in no particular order.

This is from the RADIO TIMES, a BBC radio & television guide.
The radio programme was broadcast on the 27 December 1975.

6.30 Stereo
Steeleye Span
Also on VHF
The Mad, Modern Mummers in spectacular stereophonic, seasonal entertainment, (or is alliteration going out of fashion?) with Maddy Prior, Tim Hart, Robert Johnson, Rick Kemp, Peter Knight, Nigel Pegram as themselves and featuring Stanley Unwin, Rita Webb, Paul Burnett and Tim Burge in a variety of parts.

Written by David Mckellar. Devised and produced by Johnny Beerling.

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From the Cleveland Evening Gazette, dated 24 April 71

Steel Eye Span, a group who make sounds like Fairport Convention but with a more traditional flavour will be at REDCAR JAZZ CLUB on Sunday night. They also make electrical noises.

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New Musical Express, 6 January 1973

1973 Looks like becoming a fantastic Spantastic year for Steeleye Span. Following the groups recent U.S. visit - when standing ovations were received in spite of second billing to Procol Harum - Steeleye has been asked to return at the end of March for a headlining tour at FOUR TIMES it's previous fee.
The group will spend two months in America, but will first play a lengthy tour here.
This new U.S. break follows Steeleye's Fanfare for Europe concert before Princess Margaret and Lord Showdon at the Royal Albert Hall on January 15, previously reported.
They appear in BBC-2's "Full House" on Saturday week, January 13.

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The following two articles appeared in 'The Sun' dated 9 Sept 1976
consisting of a contest and a short article about the band.

SEE STEELEYE IN L.A.

ANOTHER BIG CONTEST ONLY IN THE SUN!

Steeleye Span are Britain's most exciting folk-rock band. Soon, they go on tour in America.
And YOU could be in Los Angeles to see them in action!
The Sun - pioneer of the BIG pop contests-is giving away a fantastic free jet trip for two. PLUS a chance for the winner and a companion to meet Steeleye Span after the show.
Twenty-five runners-up will get a copy of the band's new Chrysalis album, Rocket Cottage, due out soon, PLUS a pair of tickets to see Steeleye on their British tour, which starts in November.
And another 25 runners-up will also get the Rocket Cottage album.
As usual, we don't make you join anything before you can enter this fantastic Sun contest. Every reader has a chance.
Just think of three slick titles for Steeleye Span's albums. And send them, on a postcard, to: STEELEYE SPAN CONTEST,
The Sun 30 Bouverie Street, London EC4Y 8DE.
Closing date: September 16.

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They put electric punch into the oldies

By Rosie Horide

Remember the Latin chant that made the charts? It was called Gaudete and caused quite a stir.
Then last year a jaunty traditional number called 'All Around My Hat' made it in a big way. The same band were responsible for both numbers, Steeleye Span.

Maddy Prior 26-year-old singer and dancer with the band, explains where they get their unusual material:

"We all do a lot of research into finding old songs - scour shops for books of old ballads, and hunt anywhere we can think of".

That unusual material with music added by the band is one of Steeleye's strongest assets. Another is their bang-up-to-date way of putting it over - electric folk is the end result.

The rest of the band are 26-year-old guitarist Tim Hart (founder member with Maddy), bassist Rick Kemp 27, guitarist Bob Johnson, 29, fiddle player Peter Knight, 27, and drummer Nigel Pegrum, 24, the most recent addition to the band.

Next month they kick off on a eight month world tour taking them to America, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand.

Since the huge success of their single 'All Around My Hat' and the album of the same name (both sold more than 250.000 copies in this country alone!) the group are really in the rock big league.

Their new album 'Rocket Cottage', and the single taken from it called 'London' should ensure world-wide success.

Maddy Says: "We want to take folk music back to the people. We took a risk with electrifying because the folkies said we were selling out. We enjoy it. So do the audiences. What more could you ask?"

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New Musical Express, 28 January 1978 ?

IT'S GOODBYE TO STEELEYE

It is now officially confirmed the Steeleye Span's extensive British tour, opening in Harrogate on February 4, will be their farewell tour - and they will not be going on the road again. But a spokesman said they may reunite occasionally in the future for special events, such as Christmas concerts or summer festivals.
As reported by NME last week, rumours of a Steeleye split have been rife for some time, but a week ago they were still being denied officially. Even now, it's stressed that they're not splitting irrevocably.
After the tour, Maddy Prior (right) starts a solo album, to be followed by a solo tour. The band's recent newcomers, John Kirkpatrick and Martin Carthy will resume their individual careers. And the other Span members will concentrate on writing, producing and other behind-the-scenes work.

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New Musical Express, 4 Feb 1978

BYE-BYE STEELEYE

Steeleye Span are going on the road in what we are assured is their farewell tour. First gigs are Harrogate (Saturday), Liverpool (Sunday), Chester (Monday), Manchester (Tuesday) and Sheffield (Wednesday).

Maddy Prior (pictured left) and the boys say they may come together occasionally in the future for special one-off dates, but the general feeling is that this is the last we shall see of them. So make the most of it!

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This appeared on the front page of Melody Maker, 26 October 1974

Steeleye sign Peter Sellers!

Peter Sellers - rock musician! Thats the unlikely role Sellers will be playing at London's Rainbow on November 28 when he will be appearing with Steeleye Span.
And he is also featured on the band's new album, playing the ukulele! Steeleye invited Sellers to play a solo on one track, "New York Gals," and enjoyed himself so much he asked to join them on stage.

There is a possibility he will be also appearing with Steeleye on their second Rainbow concert the following night. The album, "Commoner's Crown," will be released in January.
Steeleye, Meanwhile, have added three dates to their British tour. The concerts now start at East Anglia University on November 8 and the other new dates are at Cork University (13) and Dublin University (14).

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Full page advert for 'Rave On' in Melody Maker, 2 October 1971

Telephone conversation

Jim Flynn: Sandy ? There's a problem come up at EMI with the Steeleye single.
Sandy Roberton: Don't tell me - they've said it jumps.

JF: How did you know?
SR: That's what we wanted.
JF: How do you mean?
SR: It's meant to be like that. . . it's a joke.
JF: Yes ?
SR: Well that's how they do it, on stage I mean, as a finale number.
JF: Oh.
SR: It's meant to sound as if it's a record sticking. . .
JF: Mmm.
SR: . . . It goes down very well.
JF: Does it? Alright then I'll let then know.
JF: Sandy ? Look, about the single, EMI says there's definitely something wrong with it.
SR: What track?
JF: On 'Rave On'. First track, first side.
SR: But I explained that.
JF: I know, but they still say there's a fault. Can you cut the master again?
SR: Jim, if we have to cut it again it won't be out in time for the tour, will it - and I really wanted it to go on this one, Jim. What exactly did you tell them?
JF: I told them just what you told me.
SR: Don't they believe you?
JF: Well, I don't think it's that exactly . . .
SR: Suppose I go out there and see them myself ? They've got the test pressing haven't they ?
JF: Yes, yes. They've got them there.
SR: I think that's the best thing, don't you?
JF: . . .

A pressing plant somewhere in West Middlesex -

SR: Excuse me, I've come to check the Steeleye Span single.
Production Manager: Is that your dog ? Can you take it outside ? This isn't a bloody kennel you know.
SR: No!
PM: Well can you get out of my office - wait outside.

5 minutes later -

PM: They've got the test pressing in the factory if you want to go over and check this fault.

The factory -

SR: May I hear the test pressing of CB 164?
Quality Control: Yes, the fault occurs on band 19.

1 minute later -

SR: I'm sorry . . . that's how I want it.

Shocked silence. Entire dept. stops work to stare at S.R.

QC: We're had some queer ones in our time . . .
SR: I'm sorry to cause you all this trouble. Can you press it like this?

RAVE-ON
Female Drummer/Reels
Steeleye Span's Maxi-Single CB164

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