Roy Bailey (folk singer)

Roy Bailey (born 20 October 1935, in London), is a British socialist folk singer. Roy began his singing career in a skiffle group in 1958.

Colin Irwin from MOJO magazine said Roy represents "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."

In the 2000 Honours List, Roy received the MBE for services to folk music. On the 23rd August 2006, he returned the MBE in protest at the UK government's foreign policy with regard to Lebanon and Palestine. By doing so he joined the List of people who have declined a British honour.

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." Tony Benn cites Roy as "the greatest socialist folk singer of his generation."

He is an Emeritus Professor of Social Studies at Sheffield Hallam University.

He performs a number of songs by the American Singer/Songwriter Si Kahn

In addition to his considerable reputation as a socialist folk singer, he is also renowned as a singer of children's songs, often using material written by his old partner Leon Rosselson.

He is also the father in law of singer Martin Simpson

He is the patron of the Towersey Village Festival and the Shepley Spring Festival

External links

* [http://www.roybailey.net/ The Roy Bailey Homepage] Brief biography, newsletter, reviews, discography, and concert diary.
* [http://www.bennites.com/INTERVIEWWITHROYBAILEY.html exclusive and indepth interview with Roy Bailey] An exclusive and indepth interview with Roy Bailey from August 2006