Folk-Rockers Lindisfarne Go Back On The Road

Ray Jackson has formed a new and, as he calls it, permanent version of the classic folk-rock band Lindisfarne.

Lindisfarne

The band was originally formed in 1970 with Jackson, Alan Hull, Simon Cowe, Rod Clements and Ray Laidlaw. They went on to become one of the biggest folk-rock bands in England during the early-1970’s.
Lindisfarne went through numerous lineup changes over the years until they finally broke up in 1975. Jackson embarked on a solo career but returned to a revamped group later in the year with Hull. For the next 15 years, Ray worked with Lindisfarne until 1990 when he left the music business.

In 2005, Jackson played a memorial concert for Hull and, in February of this year, announced he would do a Christmas concert to help save the Newcastle City Hall in his hometown. It is that concert that was the impetus to form a new, permanent version of the band.

In a press release, Jackson announced the new members:

Ray Jackson (from the original LINDISFARNE……mandolin/harmonica/lead vocals)

Dave Hull-Denholm (from the 1990’s LINDISFARNE line-up……guitars/lead vocals)

Paul Thompson (from Roxy Music…..known by Roxy Music fans worldwide as “The Great Paul Thompson”…….drums)

Ian Thomson (from the 1990’s LINDISFARNE line-up……bass guitar/double bass/vocals)

Charlie Harcourt (from LINDISFARNE Mk 2…….guitars/vocals)

Steve Daggett (toured and recorded with the (reformed in 1978) original line-up……guitars/keyboards/vocals)

Jackson told the Newcastle Chronicle “When we first got together earlier this month to rehearse, it was absolutely amazing. It felt like the original Lindisfarne, only better.”

Alan Hull’s widow, Pat, also supports the new lineup. “This is the Lindisfarne band that Alan would have been happy to see performing his music. It was never the same after Ray Jackson left and Alan missed him.”

The band is only planning on playing six Christmas shows in 2013 but hope to expand their touring next year. The dates: