Fotheringay

Fotheringay is a British folk rock group that forms in 1970 and remains active until 1971. It is founded by vocalist Sandy Denny after she leaves Fairport Convention. The line-up includes Sandy Denny, Gerry Conway, Pat Donaldson, Jerry Donahue and Trevor Lucas.

Background and name

The group takes its name from Denny’s 1968 song “Fotheringay”, which refers to Fotheringhay Castle, the place where Mary, Queen of Scots, is imprisoned. That song first appears on Fairport Convention’s 1969 album What We Did on Our Holidays, Denny’s first album with the band.

Style and approach

Fotheringay reflects Denny’s idea of folk rock as a form that can carry complex meaning and deep personal feeling, while still using traditional ballad structures and the force of a rock group. Its sound is rooted in British folk rock and folk.

Line-up and members

The rhythm section consists of Gerry Conway and Pat Donaldson, whom Denny regards as among the best in the business. Lead guitar is played by Jerry Donahue, whose transatlantic country background and softer style give the music a less edgy character. Australian rhythm guitarist and second lead vocalist Trevor Lucas completes the group; he later marries Denny and joins her again in Fairport Convention.

Recording history

The group issues only two albums. Its self-titled debut, Fotheringay, includes a majority of songs by Sandy Denny, alongside one each by Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot and Trevor Lucas, plus the traditional arrangement “The Banks of the Nile”. The band breaks up in January 1971 while working on a second album, with personal difficulties and limited success contributing to the split.

Later release

Material from the unfinished second album is later completed from archived tapes by Jerry Donahue. The resulting album, Fotheringay 2, is released by Fledg’ling Records in 2008.

Live reputation

Despite the standing of the individual musicians, the group is widely reported to have been weak in live performance, which also seems to have affected its short lifespan.