Richard Thompson Tickets

Richard John Thompson was born on April 3, 1949 in Ladbroke, Crescent, Notting Hill, London. Thompson is the British folk-rock musician. As the guitarist, he is remarkable for the width of the interests which extend from Buddy Holly and James Burton, through Les Paul and Django Reinhardt to the piper Billy Pigg. He is also famous for his tendency to improvise rather than to rely on the learned solo for each song. For his long career, Thompson has deserved respect of colleagues and recognition of critics.

About Richard Thompson

The beginning of life and career (from 1949 to 1972)

In 1968, still being a pupil, Thompson organizes a group “Fairport Convention” together with his friends Ashley Hutchings and Simon Nicol. The first creative experience has made such impression on the young guitarist that he gives up study for the sake of the musical career. In 1971, Richard leaves the group, having decided that it does not help his creative growth any more. Thompson begins his solo career, issuing not very remarkable compositions and participating in every folk collective of the time.

Solo Career and a Duo

The first solo album “Henry The Human Fly” leaves in 1972. In 1974, Thompson gathers the “Four Grapes” team with Linda Peters, his future wife, as a vocalist. Together with Linda, Richard writes down a very remarkable work “I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight”. The success pushes the tandem to work further in the same structure. After some pause in 1977, Richard and Linda write out a disk “First Light” which is considered the best in Thompson's creativity. “Shoot Out of Light” (1982), according to the Rolling Stone magazine, is recognized as the best album of the year.

Divorce and Solo Career

At the peak of success, the tandem has faced the divorce. After that, Richard Thompson continued his solo career, having issued “Strict Tempo”, “Small Town Romance”, “Hand of Kindness”, “Across a Crowded Room”. In the early 90s, Richard plays with “Golden Palominos”. The subsequent solo works of Thompson were permanently successful from the point of view of musical criticism. The disks “I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight” and “Shoot Out of Light” are included into the “100 best disks of rock music 1967-87” list.

Best of the Bests

In 2003, the Rolling Stone magazine put Thompson on the 19th place in a rating of 100 best guitarists of all times. He continues to write down new material and gives great number of concerts every year.