Roy Bailey
04/18/2008
British folk singer, musician, and political activist
ROY began his singing career in a skiffle group in 1958. For nearly 50 years he has sung in folk clubs, concerts and festivals the length and breadth of England, Scotland and Wales and from Sydney to Vancouver, from Cape Town to Stockholm.
His career has been hailed as representing "the very soul of folk's working class ideals... a triumphal homage to the grass roots folk scene as a radical alternative to the mainstream music industry."
(Colin Irwin, MOJO)
He has been described in the GUARDIAN as being the possessor of one of the finest voices in the folk world and has a large, widespread and very loyal following worldwide.
In the 2000 Honours List, Roy received the MBE for 'services to folk music'. He has returned this award (22/08/06) in protest at the government's foreign policy.
In 2003, Roy together with Tony Benn were awarded 'Best Live Act' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, for their hugely successful programme 'Writing on
the Wall.'
Roy has worked with many different people throughout his career and can count many well respected people, from all walks of life, among his enthusiastic supporters:
BILLY BRAGG:
"...as powerful as anything I'd heard by THE CLASH - it was Roy's voice, the strength of it and the compassion in it"
TONY BENN:
"...the greatest socialist folksinger of his generation"
UTAH PHILLIPS:
"I've long wanted to share a stage with him" (Vancouver Folk Music Festival)
MARTIN CARTHY:
"...he is very exciting to play for because he is so strong"
KAREN TWEED:
"... there's so much to be learned from Roy Bailey in the music that we do"
Introducing Roy at his highly successful Royal Albert Hall concert in 1998 CHRIS SMITH, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, described Roy as "one of folk music's finest performers and one of the world's best carriers of the people's message."
Roy has also pursued a distinguished academic career. He has lectured in Universities and Colleges in Britain, Germany, Belgium, the USA, Canada and Australia. He has now retired from academic life and is an Emeritus Professor of Sheffield Hallam University. In 1989 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
30th May 2007
My MBE
The following is a statement Roy made in returning his MBE. This was initially released on August 23rd 2006. Many people have asked it be made more prominent and available as a front page item.
AS A LIFE-LONG SUPPORTER OF THE LABOUR PARTY I AM SO APPALLED AT THE GOVERNMENT'S FOREIGN POLICY THAT I HAVE DECIDED TO RETURN THE MBE I WAS AWARDED FOR "SERVICES TO FOLK MUSIC". I CAN THINK OF NO BETTER WAY, LAWFULLY, TO EXPRESS MY HORROR AND OPPOSITION TO OUR FAILURE TO CALL FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN THE LEBANON AND TO OUR COMPLICITY WITH THE USA'S POLICY OF SUPPORTING ISRAEL'S ACTIONS IN PALESTINE.
TONY BLAIR'S SUPPORT FOR THESE POLICIES IS FOR ME A BETRAYAL OF ALL I TOOK THE LABOUR PARTY TO STAND FOR. THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ON ALL SIDES AND THE CHAOS IN BOTH IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN IS THE RESULT OF SUCH DECISIONS. THE PARLIAMENTARY PARTY AND THE CONSTITUENCY PARTIES, BY REMAINING SUPPORTIVE OF THESE POLICIES, ARE DISCREDITED AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.
I AM NOT SO FOOLISH AS TO EXPECT ANY GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER ALL ITS MANIFESTO PROMISES. I UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THAT COMPROMISES HAVE TO BE MADE. HOWEVER, WHEN IT COMES TO WAGING AN ILLEGAL WAR IN IRAQ, THE KILLING OF INNOCENT PEOPLE IN AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ AND NOW, THE LEBANON, I CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT AS AN "HONOUR" A RECOMMENDATION SUPPORTED BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THAT I BE AWARDED THE MBE.
TONY BLAIR INSISTS HIS DECISIONS ARE IN SUPPORT OF DEMOCRACY. WE CANNOT BOMB PEOPLE INTO ACCEPTING DEMOCRACY ANY MORE THAN WE COULD SLAUGHTER PEOPLE INTO ACCEPTING CHRISTIANITY.
I UNDERSTAND MANY PEOPLE WITHIN THE FOLK MUSIC COMMUNITY HAVE APPLAUDED SUCH AWARDS AS A WELCOMED RECOGNITION FOLK MUSIC MAKES TO OUR COMMON CULTURE. I TRUST THEY WILL UNDERSTAND MY REASONS FOR NOW REJECTING AND RETURNING THAT AWARD.
Roy Bailey
Music
