USA tour – June 2017 – New England
The Roaring Forties are touring the North East of the USA during June 2017. The details of our activities are on our gigs page.
2017 National Folk Festival highlights
Although the Forties weren’t booked at the 2107 National, the Southern Cross Trawlers (Margaret, Don and Chris) were on the programme – opening the festival with a song session in the Bohemia Bar on the Thursday night and the Saturday night session too, presenting the Cabbage Tree Hat story, and a concert on the final day.
It was a privilege to sing in the big tribute to Danny Spooner in the main venue. Margaret sang “Tolpuddle Man” with Ruth Hazelton and Kerrie Maguire, and with Chris in the finale of John Tams’ “Rolling Home”.
Ruth Hazelton, Margaret Walters and Kerrie Maguire – “Tolpuddle Man”
Danny Spooner tribute finale – photo Rosemary Saul
Vale Danny Spooner – 1936-2017
Sad news is the passing of Danny Spooner on 3rd March. Danny was an inspiration to us all and brought a number of John‘s songs to the audiences around the world.
The video below is from a special performance organised for Danny in early February held in the Daylesford Town Hall – John is leading “Bring Out The Banners” supported by many of the other musicians who contributed to the event.
Danny’s last performance was at Cobargo Folk Festival on 26th February, singing songs of the Watersons with his wife Gael and Margaret. It was a triumph.
We will miss him – he has left a vast body of work and huge space in the folk music world.
Danny’s obituary in The Age/Sydney Morning Herald.
Danny Spooner – photo Rob Gunstone
Farewell to the Wheeze and Suck Band
Singing Mick Ryan’s “The Song Goes On” at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Folk Club at the farewell concert for the Wheeze & Suck Band.
Sydney Heritage Fleet Christmas Party
On board the James Craig at Pyrmont
The Sydney Forties were joined by Christina Mimmocchi to sing sea songs and Christmas songs at the Sydney Heritage Fleet Christmas Party on board the James Craig on Tuesday 13 December 2016.
There’s also a video courtesy of Sue Brian.
Forty Degrees South 