RIP Beverley Martyn (1947-2026) - Eats, Drinks & Leaves
I have to confess I didn't know the name Beverley Martyn until I read of her death at the age of 79. More fool me.
www.eatsdrinksandleaves.comBeverley Martyn, a British folk singer and songwriter, has recently died at age 79 (April 27, 2026). Multiple outlets report the news, noting her past collaborations with John Martyn and a late-career comeback in 2014.
Latest coverage highlights
- The Guardian and other outlets confirm her passing and describe her as a resilient and influential figure in the London folk scene, with a career that spanned the 1960s to the 2010s.[1][2][4]
- Reports emphasize her early work with The Levee Breakers, collaborations with notable artists (including Jimmy Page and Paul Simon), and her 2014 solo album The Phoenix and the Turtle marking a comeback on her own terms.[2][5][1]
- Coverage also references her personal life and connections within the folk community, including ties to Nick Drake and the Monterey Pop Festival appearance in 1967.[1][2]
Context and quick bio
- Born Beverley Kurtner in 1947, she began performing in the 1960s and became known for both group work and solo material.[5][6]
- Her music career included significant intersections with prominent figures in folk and rock, contributing to a notable period of British folk music history.[4][1]
- Her comeback album The Phoenix and the Turtle (2014) was described as a crucial return to making music on her own terms.[2]
What this means going forward
- If you’re looking for her discography, key releases include early singles with The Levee Breakers, collaborations around the 1960s–70s, and The Phoenix and the Turtle (2014).[5][1][2]
- Obituaries and tributes are likely to consolidate remembrances of her influence on British folk and the broader scene around Monterey and London in the 1960s–70s.[4][1]
Would you like me to pull the most authoritative obituaries and compile a concise timeline of her career with release titles and collaborators? I can also search for streamable tracks or confirm burial/tributes if you’re planning a tribute or research.