About
Richard Thompson's influence on modern music is immense. As a teenager in the 1960s, he co-founded the pioneering group Fairport Convention, helping to create the distinctive sound of British Folk Rock. By the age of 21, he had left the band to embark on a decade-long musical partnership with his then-wife, Linda Thompson, followed by more than 30 years as a celebrated solo artist.
In recent years, Thompson has collaborated with Zara Phillips, a talented musician known for her exceptional vocal and instrumental skills, bringing a fresh dynamic to his performances while maintaining the rich tradition of his music.
In 2011, Thompson was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. The Los Angeles Times hailed him as "the finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix," while Rolling Stone placed him among the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time. He has received lifetime achievement honours from the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, the Americana Music Association, and the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards. His song "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" was listed in TIME Magazine's "100 Greatest Songs Since 1923."
A remarkable array of artists — including Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, Tom Jones, David Byrne, Don Henley, and Los Lobos — have recorded his songs. His vast body of work includes multiple Grammy-nominated albums and acclaimed soundtracks such as Werner Herzog's Grizzly Man and The Cold Blue (2019).
Known for their combined musical chemistry, Thompson and Phillips deliver performances full of energy, virtuosity, and wit, attracting new audiences while celebrating the legacy of Folk Rock. In May 2024, Thompson released Ship to Shore, his first studio album in six years, to widespread critical acclaim.
