Rick Kemp

Rick Kemp

Rick Kemp is an English rock bassist, songwriter, vocalist and record producer from Dorset, born in 1941. He is best known for his work with Steeleye Span, the pioneering electric folk band, and is also associated with The Pork Dukes and the trio Burgess, Nicol & Kemp.

Steeleye Span and electric folk

Kemp is a long-serving member of Steeleye Span, playing with the group in two spells: from 1972 to 1986, and again from 2000 to 2009. His move into electric folk follows earlier work in rock and blues, and he becomes one of the band’s key bass players. He also plays guitar with the ceilidh dance band Whapweasel after previously working with them as producer.

Earlier session work and collaborations

In the 1960s, Kemp gains prominence through his work with singer-songwriter Michael Chapman. He builds a reputation as a strong rock and blues session bassist before moving more fully into electric folk. In 1971 he plays with King Crimson shortly before they record Islands, but he does not join the band permanently and leaves after a short period.

Kemp also plays bass on several recordings by Maddy Prior and is a member of the Maddy Prior Band in the 1980s. The album Happy Families in 1990 is credited to Maddy Prior & Rick Kemp. He also works on albums by former Steeleye Span member Tim Hart in the 1970s and 1980s.

Solo recordings and later work

Kemp releases three solo albums: Escape (1996), Spies (1998) and Codes (2004). These recordings generally use a traditional blues trio line-up, with Spud Sinclair on guitar and Charlie Carruthers on drums.

Since 1997, Kemp is the producer for Whapweasel. He later announces his retirement from music in 2009, after rejoining Steeleye Span and touring with the group.