Jack The Lad

Jack The Lad

Jack The Lad is an English folk rock group from north-east England, formed in 1973 by former members of Lindisfarne. The band moves away from Lindisfarne’s progressive folk rock towards more traditional material, and in the mid-1970s it is sometimes described as a northern counterpart to bands such as Fairport Convention. It is also associated with the roots revival and with renewed interest in traditional Northumbrian music.

Origins and early line-up

The group forms after the split following Lindisfarne’s third album, Dingly Dell, in 1972. The original Jack The Lad line-up brings together Simon Cowe on guitar, mandolin, banjo and vocals, Ray Laidlaw on drums, Billy Mitchell on guitar, banjo and vocals, and Rod Clements on bass, violin, guitar and vocals. Clements had previously written much of Lindisfarne’s material, including the single Meet me on the Corner.

Later changes and style

Clements leaves in late 1974, and the group is joined by Ian “Walter” Fairbairn, who plays guitar, mandolin, violin, banjo and vocals, and Phil Murray on bass and vocals. That change, along with the loss of its main songwriter, gives the band a more traditional direction. The group retains the warmth and humour associated with Lindisfarne, while working in a more folk-oriented style.

Break-up and later activity

Jack The Lad splits in 1976. The original five members of Lindisfarne later reform in 1978 and continue recording and performing. Jack The Lad itself re-forms in 1993, with a festival line-up that includes Mitchell, Fairburn and Murray alongside the original line-up working around Lindisfarne commitments.

Membership

The group includes Simon Cowe, Ray Laidlaw, Billy Mitchell and Phil Murray.