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Judy Dyble, the folk singer known for her work with Fairport Convention, has died aged 71.
The singer died earlier today (July 12) after suffering from a long-term illness, as confirmed by her publicist.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that English singer-songwriter Judy Dyble passed away on 12th July 2020 following a long illness borne with great courage,” a press release said.
“We wish to express our deepest sympathies to Judy’s family, friends and many associates from her musical career at this time.
“Judy’s family would like to thank her fans for their messages and good wishes on social media over the last few weeks, but at this time ask that they avoid contacting them for now as they would just like some quiet time.”
Rising to prominence in the 1960s, most notably as a founding member of Fairport Convention and vocalist with cult band Trader Horne, Dyble largely withdrew from the music scene in the early 1970s to concentrate on her family before being invited back to perform with Fairport Convention in 1997 for the 30th anniversary reunion at Cropredy.
In 2017, Dyble appeared as a guest artist on Big Big Train’s ‘The Ivy Gate’, a song which featured on the progressive rock band’s 10th studio album ‘Grimspound’.
She went on to form a close working relationship with Big Big Train’s multi-instrumentalist frontman David Longdon. Together they will release their album ‘Between A Breath And A Breath’ on September 25.
“Judy and I became friends during the writing and making of this album,” Longdon said in a statement. “Along the way, there was much laughter and joy – but also challenging moments. She was a woman of a certain age and she wrote articulately and unflinchingly about the autumn phase of her life.”
He added: “She dealt with her illness with incredible courage and fortitude. She suspected this album was her swan song and she gave it her all. Judy reassured me that she’d had a great life. Which indeed she did. And I will miss her greatly.”
Two songs from the album’s recording sessions – ‘Crossbones’ and ‘The Daguerreotype’ – won’t feature on the final retail version. They will, however, be released in the autumn as a tribute to Dyble via Bandcamp.
In accordance with Dyble’s request, the songs will be made available as free downloads, with listeners being encouraged to make a donation to her chosen charity, the Barley Greyhound Sanctuary.
King Crimson paid tribute to Dyble, writing: “Vocalist Judy Dyble’s death has been announced today. Briefly a member of Giles, Giles & Fripp in the summer of 1968, Judy recorded the first version of KC’s I Talk To The Wind.”
Vocalist Judy Dyble's death has been announced today. Briefly a member of Giles, Giles & Fripp in the summer of 1968, Judy recorded the first version of KC's I Talk To The Wind. For more on Judy's Crimson connections click herehttps://t.co/5S6dRA0Wd5 https://t.co/0KAuPSO5Mc
— KING CRIMSON (@DGMHQ) July 12, 2020
“She was just instantly one of the loveliest people you could ever meet, and managed to achieve the near impossible in making records in recent years that were at least as good as her old ones. She’ll be missed,” Hand Of Glory tweeted.
RIP Judy Dyble, she was just instantly one of the loveliest people you could ever meet, and managed to achieve the near impossible in making records in recent years that were at least as good as her old ones. She'll be missed.
— Hand of Glory (@Handofglory) July 12, 2020
See more tributes below:
JUDY DYBLE
Our dear friend, Judy Dyble, sadly passed away this morning. Judy sang on The Ivy Gate on Big Big Train’s Grimspound album. The album that she recently made with David Longdon will be released in September. Please see David’s statement here: https://t.co/zdFmJdz1wr— Big Big Train (@bigbigtrain) July 12, 2020
Very saddened to hear of the passing of Judy Dyble. A lovely person by all accounts. Seen here on the reverse of Fairport's first album. I'll be listening to both this and the Trader Horne LP later.
It was great to see the blossoming of her career in more recent years. pic.twitter.com/l0gzBOrxLS— Michael Bailey (@mikebassplayer4) July 12, 2020
It was an unbelievable honour and a pleasure to work with Judy Dyble on Summer Dancing. We sometimes talked about making more music together, and I’m heartbroken that we now never will. An amazing woman who enriched the lives of everyone who met her, or heard her sing.
— Andy Lewis (@andylewisuk) July 12, 2020
I knew Judy Dyble ("Jude") from our interactions on the Fairport Convention Talk Awhile forum. She was so friendly, upbeat, kind, fun, compassionate, talented, level-headed, and so many other things. This world is poorer for her leaving us. pic.twitter.com/KCr8b63veT
— J. A. Gray (@family_jules) July 12, 2020
RIP Judy Dyble. Lovwly lady and lead singer on many fine records. And two great ones… pic.twitter.com/fz56CeiARf
— Danny Kelly (@dannykellywords) July 12, 2020
My lovely friend Judy Dyble @judydyble has passed away. I’ve had a good cry already. It was such a privilege to work with her, play on stage, visit her home and dogs and go shopping for shaving mugs and penguins. I was promsing her a visit post lockdown. Heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/vI856yWEVp
— Darren Hayman (@darrenhayman) July 12, 2020
So sad that my friend Judy Dyble has left the earth. Most know her as the original singer of Fairport Convention, but there was so much more. Esp in recent times. pic.twitter.com/COUZEQSmnR
— Matthew North (@mnorthmusic) July 12, 2020
RIP the wonderful Judy Dyble. Love this song.
Far too many deaths of beautiful people in the last few weeks. The summer of 2020 has been cruel so far. https://t.co/p7NRqEU4D9
— Jonathan Coe (@jonathancoe) July 12, 2020
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