Those familiar with the career of Record Producer Joe Boyd will know he has worked with Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson, John Martyn, Incredible String Band, R.E.M (to name but a few). He helped set up the highly influential UFO club in London that kickstarted the careers of Pink Floyd and Soft Machine.
As producer at the Newport Folk Festival of 1965 when Bob Dylan went electric, he bridged the divide between the committee members ordering a cut in the volume levels against those relishing the sound.
In late 1960, his earliest forays into the music industry began in Princeton when he was inspired to search for Lonnie Johnson thanks to listening to Danish DJ broadcasting on a local US Radio Station.
Interesting to note that the Dj (Chris Albertson) in question was responsible for early live recordings of Ken Colyer, Chris Barber and Lonnie Donegan who were regular visitors to West London in the 50’s & early 60’s.
Joe Boyd later went on to ‘cut his teeth’ organising European tours with the likes of Muddy Waters, Sister Rosetta, Big Bill Broonzy and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. Eventually decided to make his home in London partly inspired by a youth culture that was awakening to American Blues Music.
His book ‘White Bicycles’ is a fascinating guide to 60’s music providing a unique perspective as an American based, much of his time in London.
The Ealing Book Festival 2025 brings Joe Boyd To Pitshanger Manor.
26th April 2025
6.00 – 7.00 PM
Joe Boyd will be in conversation with Mark Cooper (co-creator and founding producer of Later….With Jools Holland) about the recently published book ‘And The Roots of Rhythm Remain’
Tickets For Joe Boyd @ Ealing Book Festival: https://www.pitzhanger.org.uk/whatson/ealing-book-festival-joe-boyd-and-the-roots-of-rhythm-remain-a-journey-through-global-music/
Ealing Book Festival also includes an exceptional and diverse range of renowned authors including Hanif Kureishi, Elif Shafak, Andrew O’Hagan, Tracy Chevalier, Roger McGough, Natasha Brown, Abi Daré and Laura Cumming, alongside a wide range of other events including walking tours, workshops and a children’s poetry competition.
Full details here: https://ealingbookfestival.com