Obit:Bill Leader singer/record producer(1929-2026)

Subject: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: Hagman
Date: 31 Mar 26 - 08:28 PM

Announced by family and friends this morning. End of a very long era and glorious career.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Mar 26 - 10:17 PM

From Wikipedia: Bill Leader (born 26 December 1929) is an English recording engineer and record producer. He is particularly associated with the British folk music revival of the 1960s and 1970s, producing records by Paddy Tunney, Davey Graham, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Frank Harte and many others.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: Robert B. Waltz
Date: 31 Mar 26 - 10:19 PM

He organized Leader and Trailer Records, which I always thought a fascinating pair of names. I'm not sure how many LPs I have from those companies, but it's a lot. He leaves quite a legacy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 31 Mar 26 - 11:44 PM

He had a long and glorious career. Folk music would have a different history without him. And you could bump into him at local concerts and clubs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 01 Apr 26 - 06:57 AM

A lovely, approachable and far-sighted man. Much of the material he recorded so comprehensively are in the repertoire of singers & musicians in 2026, and would otherwise not have been.
Thank you so much Bill & RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: GUEST,Little Robyn
Date: 01 Apr 26 - 07:36 AM

Sorry to hear that. Is Helen still around? I visited their place in Camden back in 1972 and bought about 9-10 records from them.
A lovely couple who contributed so much to our folk world.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: r.padgett
Date: 01 Apr 26 - 09:01 AM

Yes Bill Leader part of folk history in uk in respect of his recordings of the Revivalist and traditional folk singer ~ with early recording methods I certainly have number of these early vinyl records

I think he was involved with Topic, Leader and Trailer companies

Ray

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: StephenH
Date: 01 Apr 26 - 02:21 PM

Wow, some of the Leader/Trailer lps I have instantly sprung to mind when I read this: Boys of the Lough's first and second albums; Dick Gaughan's "No More Forever"; "Billy Pigg: The Border Minstrel"; "A People's Carol"
Thank you for al these and more Mr. Leader. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: Folkimages
Date: 01 Apr 26 - 05:35 PM

Bill was a lovely man and in September 2013 he was celebrated for his EFDSS Gold Badge Award with an evening of folk music at Bury Met. Unfortunately Bill wasn't able to attend in person on the night, due to illness, but I was able to take some photos, on his behalf, so that he could see the wonderful turn out of both local and national musicians.

The gallery of the night can be found on Folkimages

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader (1929-2026)
From: Reinhard
Date: 01 Apr 26 - 05:45 PM

Bill Leader obituary by Andy Turner

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader singer/record producer 1929-2026
From: GUEST,Trevor Sheridan
Date: 02 Apr 26 - 01:39 AM

One of the most important people of our traditional music history. A great man. RIP Bill

Subject: RE: Obit:Bill Leader singer/record producer(1929-2026)
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 03 Apr 26 - 07:26 AM

Bill was a true gentleman and a tremendous contributor to and preserver of British traditional song culture. First met him in Collets shop 60+ years ago, followed his recording work with continuing delight.
But I never heard him sing! Did you?

Subject: RE: Obit:Bill Leader singer/record producer(1929-2026)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 03 Apr 26 - 11:17 AM

Yes, Bill was certainly the right man at the right time. His recordings read like a who's who of traditional folksong. I agree with all the positive comments further up the thread and would add that we probably will not see his like again. RIP and thank you Bill.

Subject: RE: Obit:Bill Leader singer/record producer(1929-2026)
From: Nick Dow
Date: 06 Apr 26 - 11:44 AM

Don't know what went wrong with my post above. I was just adding my condolences. RIP Bill.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader singer/record producer-1929-2026
From: Hagman
Date: 12 Apr 26 - 02:05 AM

A kind soul on YouTube has provided the Rab Noakes-produced radio docs on Bill Leader, program presented by Arcfhie Fisher. As the other kind soul who alerted me to this on The Ballad Tree F/B page wrote:

"Thirty years ago, Robert (Rab) Noakes made a series of programmes about the legendary recording engineer, Bill Leader, who sadly died recently. This was broadcast over 4 weeks in spring 1996 on Radio 2, introduced by Archie Fisher. There are contributions by Bill Leader himself, Tony Engel, Janey Buchan, Reg Hall, Lou Killen, Colin Ross, Mike and Norma Waterson, Ray Fisher, Ian Campbell, Ronnie Drew, Bert Jansch, Heather Woods, Mike Harding, Aly Bain, John Cavanagh, Janet Kerr, Dave Bulmer (there's a surprise), and Jim Lloyd. The music comes from a wide range of musicians from the history of British folk music, including Margaret Barry, Ewan MacColl and Dominic Behan, Bob Davenport, Sheila Stewart and many more."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMRcseKU46g

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Leader singer/record producer-1929-2026
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Apr 26 - 10:14 AM

I recorded with him, he had the ability to make you feel at ease, he was a pleasant and interesting person .R I P