Peter Bellamy

Peter Bellamy (1944 - 1991) was an English folk singer.

Peter Bellamy was born in Norfolk, the son of a farm bailiff. He studied at the Royal College of Art under Peter Blake. Decades later he still looked like a latter-d

Peter Bellamy (1944 - 1991) was an English folk singer.

Peter Bellamy was born in Norfolk, the son of a farm bailiff. He studied at the Royal College of Art under Peter Blake. Decades later he still looked like a latter-day Andy Warhol, with blond hair, a scarlet jacket and yellow trousers. He dropped out of college in 1965 to become a member of "The Young Tradition" with Royston and Heather Wood. The trio recorded mainly traditional songs in harmony. At Whitby folk festival in the 80s an anagram competition came up with "Elmer P Bleaty" for Peter Bellamy, a humorous comment on the slightly nasal vibrato of his voice. The Young Tradition projected their voices powerfully, clearly influenced by The Watersons, the Copper Family and Ewan MacColl. They recorded three albums together plus a collaboration with Shirley Collins called "The Holly Bears The Crown". Although recorded in 1969 it was not released in full until the 90s. Their final concert was at Cecil Sharp House in October 1969. Peter recorded a collaboration with Louis Killen in 1971, "Won't You Go My Way?".