by Anura Guruge
on March 13, 2022
During my 4-day trip to the ‘Bold Coast‘ last week, with ‘Sirius XM’ on the radio, most of the time, I heard a number of plugs for ‘Steeleye Span‘. I was chuffed.
I first saw them, serendipitously, in 1970 or 1971, at the ‘Queen Elizabeth Hall’, in London. I, a teenager at the time, happened to be walking by and they were selling tickets to a concert that was just about to start. I had never heard of them but took a chance. Transformed my life.
I loved their music & Maddy Prior entranced me. She was 6 years older than I, but I was smitten. For the next 15 years I was an unashamed Steeleye Span/Maddy Prior groupie.
They played at Swansea at least once during my three years there as a student. I remember that well. I took so many pictures of Maddy Prior to the amusement of my girlfriend.
Later on, once employed, I was able to follow them around the country. I know that I saw them perform at Southampton & Portsmouth. In total, I am sure, I have seen them perform, live, at least a dozen times, if not more.
I still have most of their LPs in vinyl.
So, I can truly claim to be a fan.
I am delighted that Sirius XM have discovered them. They, i.e., Steeleye Span, are magic. Transcends time.
