Bert
The Life and Times of A. L. Lloyd
Folk singer and folk music collector, writer, painter, journalist, art critic, whalerman, sheep station roustabout, Marxist, and much more - this is the story of A. L. (Bert) Lloyd's extraordinary life.
A. L. Lloyd played a key part in the folk music revival of the 1950s and 60s, but that is only part of his story. Dave Arthur documents how Lloyd became a member of the Communist Party, forceful antifascist, trade unionist and an important part of left-wing culture from the early 1930s to his death in 1982. Following his return from Australia as a 21-year-old, self-educated agricultural labourer, he was at the heart of the most important left-wing movements and highly respected for his knowledge in various fields.
Dave Arthur recounts the life of a creative, passionate and life-loving Marxist, and in so doing provides a social history of a turbulent twentieth century.
A. L. Lloyd played a key part in the folk music revival of the 1950s and 60s, but that is only part of his story. Dave Arthur documents how Lloyd became a member of the Communist Party, forceful antifascist, trade unionist and an important part of left-wing culture from the early 1930s to his death in 1982. Following his return from Australia as a 21-year-old, self-educated agricultural labourer, he was at the heart of the most important left-wing movements and highly respected for his knowledge in various fields.
Dave Arthur recounts the life of a creative, passionate and life-loving Marxist, and in so doing provides a social history of a turbulent twentieth century.
Dave Arthur has gained a considerable reputation as a researcher, collector, writer and broadcaster of English song, music and folklore. He edited English Dance and Song for twenty years, and in 2003 was awarded the EFDSS Gold Badge for services to folk music. His writing has appeared in The Times, the Independent, Melody Maker, Words International, the Folk Music Journal, English Dance and Song, the Stage, Encyclopaedia Britannica and New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
'When everyone else was listening to Cream, I was listening to A. L. Lloyd' - Frank Zappa
'I'm old enough and have been close enough to many of the events recounted in this thoroughly but sympathetically researched book to recognise the ring of truth when I hear it' - Bill Leader, legendary record producer
'As broadcaster, scholar, collector and singer, Bert Lloyd was one of the truly inspirational characters of Britain's 20th century music history. Dave Arthur's biography captures his complexity and energy with affection and unflinching honesty' - David Toop, author of Ocean of Sound (2001) and Sinister Resonance (2010).
'A. L. Lloyd was a catalyst, a man who made things happen, divided opinion, enthused, annoyed, embraced and attracted immense loyalty. This book will please and astonish those who read it' - Malcolm Taylor OBE, Library Director, English Folk Dance and Song Society
List of photographs
Acknowledgements
Foreword by Richard Thompson
Introduction
1. The Beginning
2. A Telegram to Hitler
3. 1936 and All That
4. Down to the Sea in Ships
5. Working for Auntie
6. Bertie Badfruit
7. Picture Post and Army Life
8. The Singing Englishman
9. Croom’s Hill
10. The English Folk Song and Dance Society
11. Ramblers and Bold Miners
12. Back to the Beeb
13. Writing and Recording in the Fifties
14. The Folk Survival of the Fittest
15. The Radio Ballads
16. The Folk Revival
17. The Singing Sixties
18. Teaching and Filmmaking
19. Fare Thee Well
20. A Final Assemblage of Memories
Notes
Bibliography and Select Discography
Index
Acknowledgements
Foreword by Richard Thompson
Introduction
1. The Beginning
2. A Telegram to Hitler
3. 1936 and All That
4. Down to the Sea in Ships
5. Working for Auntie
6. Bertie Badfruit
7. Picture Post and Army Life
8. The Singing Englishman
9. Croom’s Hill
10. The English Folk Song and Dance Society
11. Ramblers and Bold Miners
12. Back to the Beeb
13. Writing and Recording in the Fifties
14. The Folk Survival of the Fittest
15. The Radio Ballads
16. The Folk Revival
17. The Singing Sixties
18. Teaching and Filmmaking
19. Fare Thee Well
20. A Final Assemblage of Memories
Notes
Bibliography and Select Discography
Index
Published by Pluto Press in May 2012
Hardcover ISBN: 9780745332529
eBook ISBN: 9781849646710
eBook ISBN: 9781849646710
150mm x 230mm