Frankie Armstrong

is a British folk singer and songwriter who has been performing for over five decades. She is best known for her work in the folk revival of the 1960s and 1970s, and for her collaborations with other folk musicians.

Early Life

Frankie Armstrong was born in London in 1940. She grew up in a musical family, with her father being a jazz musician and her mother a singer. From an early age, she was exposed to a variety of musical styles, including jazz, folk, and classical. She began singing in her local church choir and soon developed a passion for folk music.

At the age of 16, she joined the folk group The Young Tradition, which was one of the first British folk groups to gain international recognition. She toured extensively with the group, performing in Europe, the United States, and Canada. During this time, she developed her own unique style of singing, which blended traditional folk songs with her own original compositions.

Career

In the late 1960s, Frankie Armstrong began to focus on her solo career. She released her first solo album, “Frankie Armstrong Sings Folk Songs”, in 1969. The album was a critical success and established her as a major figure in the British folk revival.

In the 1970s, she continued to tour and record, releasing several more albums. She also collaborated with other folk musicians, including Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, and John Kirkpatrick. She also began to explore other musical styles, such as jazz and blues.

In the 1980s, Frankie Armstrong began to focus more on her songwriting. She released several albums of her own compositions, as well as collaborating with other songwriters. She also began to explore other musical styles, such as world music and reggae.

Legacy

Frankie Armstrong has been an influential figure in the British folk revival. Her unique style of singing and songwriting has inspired many other folk musicians. She has also been an advocate for social justice, and has used her music to raise awareness of issues such as poverty and inequality.

Frankie Armstrong continues to perform and record to this day. She has released several albums in recent years, and continues to tour and collaborate with other musicians. She is widely respected as one of the most important figures in British folk music.