Simon Nicol

Simon Nicol was brought up in north London. As a teenager, he met local musician Ashley Hutchings, a man whose unique talent for forming successful bands has become legendary. Though he was only 13, Simon's talent as a guitarist impressed the older Hutchings and - with lead guitarist Richard Thompson and others - they began convening for rehearsals at Simon's home, a villa named Fairport.

Fairport Convention became hugely successful after vocalist Sandy Denny joined the band. As the 1970s dawned, Fairport had seen tragedy and triumph: the band’s van was involved in a motorway crash that left drummer Martin Lamble dead and the others injured but the seminal album Liege and Lief had set the mould for British folk rock.

Line-up changes followed and Simon found himself taking a more prominent role on stage. He also became more involved in studio work and production. During the early 1970s, Simon took a break from Fairport working on various projects as both producer and musician, collaborating with Dave Swarbrick and The Albion Country Band among others.

Simon rejoined Fairport in 1975 and has been the band's main guitarist and lead singer ever since. From the old days, he still works regularly with Dave Swarbrick and with Ashley Hutchings.

As well as music, Simon’s interests include cooking, driving and ping-pong. He and his wife Sylvia live in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, and have three children.