Bob Davenport, a traditional music performer who became influential in the British folk scene spanning several decades, passed away at age 94. Born in Gateshead in the north of England, Davenport was raised by his mother after his father and grandfather died in a domestic gas explosion before his first birthday. His early musical exposure came through radio programmes including Jack Armstrong’s Northumbrian Barn Dance and Radio Athlone’s Ceilidh Hour.
After completing national service in the RAF, Davenport settled in London in 1953 and became immersed in the city’s vibrant music and arts scene. He was particularly drawn to the Irish immigrant community in Camden, where he discovered traditional Irish music and musicians like Margaret Barry and Michael Gorman. In 1958, he formed a collaborative group called the Rakes with musicians Reg Hall, Michael Plunkett, and Paul Gross, with whom he recorded multiple albums and performed extensively at concerts and festivals. Between 1964 and 1966, the group ran an influential club at the Fox in Islington that featured diverse musical traditions beyond typical folk performances.
Davenport’s career included notable appearances at major festivals and venues. He was recommended by Pete Seeger to perform at the Newport folk festival in 1963, where he shared the stage with Dylan and Baez. He also performed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC in 1967 and at the Mariposa folk festival in Canada. Throughout his life, Davenport rejected narrow definitions of folk music, preferring the term “traditional music” and advocating for music rooted in working-class and immigrant communities rather than academic categorizations.
Beyond music, Davenport maintained diverse employment, working for the Post Office, a bookshop, and as a chauffeur for the Guardian, while also studying sculpture at St Martin’s School of Art and teaching the subject. His recorded output included several albums released through Topic Records, with later recordings featuring collaborations with musicians such as Richard Thompson and Martin Carthy. Davenport’s eclectic musical taste encompassed traditional ballads, blues, reggae, and contemporary pieces, reflecting his philosophy that an evening of music should prioritize entertainment and accessibility over intellectual analysis.
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