The Watersons

Biography

This British band is regarded as one of the most important and influential of the UK folk revival outfits, and have been cited by numerous artists, such as Anne Briggs, as being responsible for the development of unaccompanied harmony singing. They were originally called the Mariners, then the Folksons, before using their family name. The essential group, with occasional later variations, comprised Mike Waterson (16 January 1941, England), Norma Waterson (b. 15 August 1939, Kingston Upon Hull, England) and Lal Waterson (b. Elaine Waterson, 15 February 1943, England, d. 4 September 1998). The other original member, their cousin John Harrison, left in 1966, with the group splitting up two years later. In 1972 the quartet re-formed, with Harrison’s place was taken by Bernie Vickers, and released the controversial Bright Phoebus. Vickers was then replaced by Martin Carthy (b. 21 May 1941, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England), who married Norma Waterson. The acclaimed...

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