Gerry Conway

Even as a toddler in north London, Gerry Conway wanted to be a drummer: in fact, he got his first drumkit at the age of 11. By the time he left school, his vocation was clear and he went to work at EMI hoping for a chance to audition.

The chance came and Gerry found himself the drummer with The Jet Set, playing ska and soul. His next move was to blues legend Alexis Korner's band. After a year with Korner, Gerry joined Trevor Lucas in Eclection.

By the time Eclection folded in the early 1970s, Trevor's partner Sandy Denny had left Fairport Convention and Gerry was invited to join them in a newly-formed folkrock outfit, Fotheringhay. Though creative and greatly respected, the band was shortlived.

Next, Gerry played a studio session with Cat Stevens and was invited to join the band. After six years touring the world with Stevens, Gerry found himself back in London and in demand as a session man. However, in 1979 he went to live in the USA for a few years, working mainly with Jerry Donahue.

During the 1980s, Gerry returned to the UK and spent a year or so on the road with Jethro Tull. This was followed by a stint with Richard Thompson's band.

In 1985, Gerry joined Pentangle and has been with the band ever since. As if one band wasn't enough, he has also been Fairport Convention's drummer since 1998.

Gerry lives in Redhill, Surrey with his partner Jacqui.