Simon Nicol is a founder member and the band first rehearsed at his dad's house, a villa named 'Fairport' on Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, north London - hence Fairport Convention as a name. The new band played its first-ever public gig on 27 May 1967 - forty years ago - and the line-up was Simon (guitar), Ashley Hutchings(bass), Richard Thompson (lead guitar) and Shaun Frater (drums). After that first gig, Shaun was replaced by Martin Lamble. A few gigs later, a girl singer called Judy Dyble joined (she was replaced within a year by Sandy Denny). During late summer 1967 Fairport started appearing frequently in London clubs and at college gigs. Another singer, Iain Matthews then joined as well but left a year later. In 1969 Fairport's van crashed on the M1 motorway and Martin was killed. Dave Mattacks took over on drums. In late 1969, Fairport released Liege & Lief (see website for more info). In 1970 both Sandy and Ashley left: Dave Pegg took over on bass guitar and has been in Fairport ever since. Simon Nicol left for a couple of years during the mid-1970s but has been in the band for all but two of its forty years. The first time Fairport played an open air gig at Cropredy was at Prescote Manor in 1976 and again in the following two years. In August 1979 they played a Farewell Farewell open air gig (not sure where - it was in Cropredy but not at Prescote). The next year, 1980, was the first 'proper' Cropredy 'reunion' festival held at Spittal Farm. In 1981 they played their annual reunion at Broughton Castle but the next year and every year since the festival has been in Cropredy.

Fairport's Cropredy Convention Big names, new names in anniversary year New and unsigned bands will feature alongside big name acts at Fairport's Cropredy Convention 2007. The uniquely-friendly festival of rock, pop and acoustic music takes place on 9, 10, 11 August and the organisers promise it will be the best-ever Cropredy with up to 20,000 music fans attending. This year, Fairport Convention celebrates its fortieth anniversary as a band and the festival has been running for over 25 years. For 2007, the two themes are 'Forty Glorious Years' and emerging young acts. Headline acts include Jools Holland, Seth Lakeman, Richard Thompson Band, and Show of Hands. On the Saturday night, Fairport will close the show with their customary marathon set. New and unsigned artists will also feature strongly. Fairport is justly renowned for encouraging and supporting young musicians. Each year, the winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award is invited to play at Fairport's Cropredy Convention: the 2007 winning act is four-piece band Last Orders. Other emerging acts at Cropredy include folk-rockers Kerfuffle, all-girl trio Hummingbird, and award-winning newcomers Give Way. As part of the 'Forty Glorious Years' theme, there will be a one-off special performance by Fairport Convention's 1969 line-up. Chris While will sing in place of the late Sandy Denny, joining Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Simon Nicol, Dave Swarbrick and Richard Thompson to perform the classic Fairport album Liege & Lief in its entirety. This album was recently voted greatest folk album of all time by BBC Radio 2 listeners and last year it was awarded a gold disc. Other Cropredy acts include The Strawbs, Viva Santana, Mad Agnes, Bob Fox and Billy Mitchell, Wishbone Ash, Iain Matthews, The Bucket Boys, and Richard Digance. 'A great way to while away an August weekend' The Sunday Times Tickets for Fairport's Cropredy Convention are on sale fromwww.fairportconvention.com and prices range from £37 to £75.