Roy Norman Guest (13 March 1934 – 23 September 1996) was a British folk singer and music promoter.

Roy Guest
Born
Roy Norman Guest

(1934-03-13)13 March 1934
Died23 September 1996(1996-09-23) (aged 62)
Faversham, Kent, England
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Musician, promoter

Life and career

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Born in Izmir, Turkey, to a British father and Ukrainian Greek mother, he grew up in Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire. He trained as an actor, and began singing and playing guitar when a teacher at Summerhill School. After moving to Edinburgh to study anthropology and psychology, he met Jim Haynes of the Traverse Theatre, and the pair collaborated on producing a series of "Howffs" or folk nights.[1] Notably, Bert Jansch started his career at the club which became a meeting place for folk musicians including Archie Fisher and Owen Hand, and the folk duo of Robin Hall and Jimmie Macgregor.[2]

He came to wider prominence in the 1960s as a promoter with Harold Davison, and with Brian Epstein's NEMS enterprises. He oversaw the London concert debuts of Simon and Garfunkel,[3] the Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention. Other concerts he promoted included those by Benny Goodman, Joan Baez, The Who, and Led Zeppelin.[1] He was also an agent during the early careers of Al Stewart and Sandy Denny.[4]

He later set up an agency and information service for the English Folk Dance and Song Society; established his own agency, Folk Directions; and organised folk festivals in the 1980s at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon. After moving to Faversham, Kent, he stood as an independent candidate in local elections, and chaired a local theatre group.[1]

He died in Faversham in September, 1996, at the age of 62.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Karl Dallas, "Obituary", The Independent, 23 October 1996. Retrieved 31 January 2024
  2. ^ Steven, Alasdair (6 October 2011). "Obituary: Bert Jansch, musician". News.scotsman.com. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  3. ^ "Concerts & Package Tours : 1967 (March - April)". www.bradfordtimeline.co.uk. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  4. ^ a b Adams, Rob. "Roy Guest". www.heraldscotsman.com. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
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