Peter Knight
Encyclopedia
Peter Knight is a folk musician, member of the electric folk
group Steeleye Span
.
Peter Knight was born in London on 27 May 1947. As a child he learned the violin and mandolin before going to the Royal Academy of Music
from 1960 to 1964. The recordings of the Irish fiddler Michael Coleman
inspired him to take part in Irish pub sessions. He teamed up with guitarist and singer Bob Johnson
until 1970 when he joined Steeleye Span. The parting was short-lived, as Bob Johnson himself also joined Steeleye Span in 1972.
and appeared on Top of The Pops
as Uncle Bulgaria, with Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson also in Womble suits. He left Steeleye Span in January 1977, when it started to look as if the band was about to break up. Peter teamed up with Bob Johnson once more, to record a concept album The King of Elfland's Daughter
(1978), based on the novel
by Lord Dunsany
. It included one song sung by blues legend Alexis Korner
and another by Mary Hopkin
. In 1980 he returned to Steeleye Span and has appeared on every one of their albums since then.
Gigspanner's Debut Album was chosen as one of the best 15 'World' Albums' of 2009 by 'The Wire' Music Magazine.
Electric folk
Electric folk is the name given to the form of folk rock pioneered in England from the late 1960s, and most significant in the 1970s, which then was taken up and developed in the surrounding Celtic cultures of Brittany, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man, to produce Celtic rock and its...
group Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span are an English folk-rock band, formed in 1969 and remaining active today. Along with Fairport Convention they are amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles "Gaudete" and "All Around My Hat"....
.
Peter Knight was born in London on 27 May 1947. As a child he learned the violin and mandolin before going to the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
from 1960 to 1964. The recordings of the Irish fiddler Michael Coleman
Michael Coleman (musician)
-Early years:Michael Coleman was born in Knockgrania, in the rural Killavil district, near Ballymote, County Sligo, Ireland. His father, James Coleman, was from Banada in County Roscommon, and a respected flute player...
inspired him to take part in Irish pub sessions. He teamed up with guitarist and singer Bob Johnson
Bob Johnson (musician)
Robert "Bob" Johnson is a British guitarist formerly in the electric folk band Steeleye Span from 1972–77 and again from 1980-2001....
until 1970 when he joined Steeleye Span. The parting was short-lived, as Bob Johnson himself also joined Steeleye Span in 1972.
Steeleye Span
Peter's classical roots were well hidden until he recorded "A Canon by Telemann" on the album Back In Line, multi-tracking with himself on this tricky baroque piece. In the mid-70s he was secretly a member of The WomblesThe Wombles (band)
The Wombles are a British novelty pop group, featuring musicians dressed as the characters from children's TV show The Wombles, which in turn was based on the children's book series by Elisabeth Beresford. Songwriter and record producer, Mike Batt, wrote the series' theme tune, and went on to...
and appeared on Top of The Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
as Uncle Bulgaria, with Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson also in Womble suits. He left Steeleye Span in January 1977, when it started to look as if the band was about to break up. Peter teamed up with Bob Johnson once more, to record a concept album The King of Elfland's Daughter
The King of Elfland's Daughter (album)
The King of Elfland's Daughter is a concept album by former Steeleye Span members Bob Johnson and Peter Knight. It was based on the 1924 fantasy novel of the same name by Lord Dunsany and recorded and released in 1977...
(1978), based on the novel
The King of Elfland's Daughter
The King of Elfland's Daughter is a 1924 fantasy novel written by Lord Dunsany. Written before the genre was named, it is considered to be among the pioneering works of modern fantasy. Its importance was recognized in its later revival in paperback by Ballantine Books as the second volume of the...
by Lord Dunsany
Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany
Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany was an Irish writer and dramatist, notable for his work, mostly in fantasy, published under the name Lord Dunsany...
. It included one song sung by blues legend Alexis Korner
Alexis Korner
Alexis Korner was a blues musician and radio broadcaster, who has sometimes been referred to as "a Founding Father of British Blues"...
and another by Mary Hopkin
Mary Hopkin
Mary Hopkin , credited on some recordings as Mary Visconti, is a Welsh folk singer best known for her 1968 UK number one single "Those Were The Days". She was one of the first musicians to sign to The Beatles' Apple label....
. In 1980 he returned to Steeleye Span and has appeared on every one of their albums since then.
Feast of Fiddles
Some of the most accomplished folk fiddlers of England and Scotland joined together for a tour in 2001. An album of live performances from the 2001 tour was sold as "Feast of Fiddles" in 2002. The group has continued to tour annually since 2001, but describe themselves as "unsigned". They sell albums of live performances from previous concerts, but in a very restricted way. The CDs are available at the gigs or over the internet. They consist mainly of traditional English tunes, in varying combinations of solo, duo or band.Other projects
- In 1982 he joined "Moire Music" a free-jazz group led by Trevor WattsTrevor WattsTrevor Charles Watts is an English jazz and free-improvising alto and soprano saxophonist. He is largely self-taught, having taken up the cornet at age 12 then switched to saxophone at 18. While stationed in Germany with the RAF , he encountered the drummer John Stevens and trombonist Paul...
, while still remaining as a member of Steeleye. Liam GenockeyLiam GenockeyLiam Genockey is an Irish drummer.Liam Genockey was born in Dublin, Ireland. During the 1960s he lived in Plymouth, Devon, U.K, playing in local semi-pro groups, then in the early 70's playing with Torbay based rock band Adolphus Rebirth...
was drummer with the group, and would later become a member of Steeleye Span, when Nigel Pegrum left. - Peter's classical and jazz influences surfaced again in 1998 when he recorded An Ancient Cause and The Gemini Cadenza, multi-tracking with himself.
- In 1999 he recorded an album with bass-player Danny Thompson, best known for his work with John Martyn.
- Peter is concentrating on developing his Trio 'Gigspanner' which features himself on fiddle, Vincent Salzfaas on percussion and Roger Flack on semi-acoustic guitar. They play a highly individual blend of traditional folk and hot jazz with African rhythms. Their debut album, released November 2008 is called "Lipreading The Poet". It was named by The Wire Magazine as one of the best 15 'Global' Albums of 2009.They are undertaking an increasing number of Touring and Festival commitments.
- Peter lives in Gloucestershire.
- He appeared as a guest on Mostly AutumnMostly AutumnMostly Autumn is a British band, producing music heavily influenced by classic 1970s rock. The group formed in 1996, and have built their reputation through constant touring, never signing to a major label. The group's early influences were Genesis, Renaissance and Pink Floyd, and folk music...
's 2007 album 'Heart Full of sky' and performed also as a guest at their album launch show at the London Astoria on the 10th of February 2007.
With Bob Johnson
- - The King of Elfland's DaughterThe King of Elfland's Daughter (album)The King of Elfland's Daughter is a concept album by former Steeleye Span members Bob Johnson and Peter Knight. It was based on the 1924 fantasy novel of the same name by Lord Dunsany and recorded and released in 1977...
(1978)
With Chris Leslie, Tom Leary, Ian Cutler, Phil Beer and Brian McNeill
- - Feast of Fiddles (2002) (recorded live in 2001)
- - Nicely Wrong
- - Still Live (Live 2006)
With Gigspanner (Peter, Vincent Salzfaas, Roger Flack)
- -Lipreading The Poet
Gigspanner's Debut Album was chosen as one of the best 15 'World' Albums' of 2009 by 'The Wire' Music Magazine.