Peter Knight (folk musician)
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Peter Knight (b 1947) is a folk musician, member of the group Steeleye Span.
Peter Knight was born in London on 27th 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.
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[edit] Steeleye Span
Peter's classical roots were well hidden until he recorded "A Cannon 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 Wombles 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.
[edit] Other projects
- In 1982 he joined "Moire Music" a free-jazz group led by Trevor Watts, while still remaining as a member of Steeleye. Liam Genockey 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. Some of the most accomplished folk fiddlers joined together for A Feast of Fiddles (2002). Peter has lived in Hastings for many years.
- He appeared as a guest on Mostly Autumn'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
[edit] Discography (excluding Steeleye Span)
[edit] With Bob Johnson
- - The King of Elfland's Daughter (1978)
[edit] Solo
- - An Ancient Cause (1998)
- - The Gemini Cadenza (1998)
- - Too Late For Shadows (2005)
[edit] With Danny Thompson
- - Peter Knight and Danny Thompson (1999)
[edit] Maddy Prior
- - Ballads and Candles (2000)
[edit] With Chris Leslie, Tom Leary, Ian Cutler, Phil Beer and Brian McNeill
- - A Feast of Fiddles (2002) (recorded live in 2001)
