Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1948 in Hackney, London, England

 

Linda Thompson is a British folk-rock singer and songwriter who has been active in the music industry since the 1970s. Born on August 23, 1947, in Hackney, London, Thompson grew up in a musical family. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a singer. Thompson's brother, Mike, also became a musician and played guitar in the folk-rock band Fairport Convention. Thompson began her music career in the late 1960s as a member of the folk group The Bunch, which included her future husband, Richard Thompson. The couple married in 1972 and went on to form the band Richard and Linda Thompson. The duo released six albums together between 1974 and 1982, including the critically acclaimed "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" (1974) and "Shoot Out the Lights" (1982). Thompson's distinctive voice and emotive songwriting made her a standout in the folk-rock scene of the 1970s and 1980s. Her lyrics often dealt with themes of love, loss, and the struggles of everyday life. Her songs were also notable for their use of traditional British folk melodies and instrumentation, such as the accordion and mandolin. In addition to her work with Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson has also released several solo albums. Her debut solo album, "One Clear Moment," was released in 1985 and featured contributions from musicians such as Elvis Costello and John Hiatt. Thompson's subsequent solo albums, including "Fashionably Late" (2002) and "Won't Be Long Now" (2013), have continued to showcase her powerful vocals and songwriting skills. Throughout her career, Thompson has received critical acclaim for her music. In 1982, Richard and Linda Thompson's album "Shoot Out the Lights" was named one of the 500 greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Thompson has also been nominated for several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album for her 2002 album "Fashionably Late." Thompson has also been recognized for her contributions to the folk-rock genre. In 2006, she was awarded the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award recognized Thompson's role in shaping the British folk-rock scene and her influence on younger generations of musicians. In addition to her music career, Thompson has also worked as an actress. She appeared in the 1997 film "Still Crazy" and has made guest appearances on television shows such as "Absolutely Fabulous" and "The Bill." Despite facing health challenges in recent years, including a battle with dysphonia, Thompson has continued to perform and record music. In 2018, she released the album "My Mother Doesn't Know I'm on the Stage," which featured covers of songs by artists such as Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. Linda Thompson's contributions to the folk-rock genre have made her a beloved figure in the music industry. Her powerful vocals and emotive songwriting have inspired generations of musicians and continue to resonate with audiences today.

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