Legendary Folk Singer Bill Fay Passes Away at 81

Bill Fay, a revered British cult folk singer-songwriter, has passed away at 81 years old. On Saturday (February 23), his label Dead Oceans announced his peaceful death in London via an Instagram post. The cause was not disclosed, although it’s known that he had been diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease.

“Bill was a gentle man and gentleman, wise beyond our times,” declared Dead Oceans in their statement. “He was a private person who held the biggest of hearts, writing profoundly moving and meaningful songs that will continue to resonate for years.” Born in North London in 1943, Fay pursued electronics at university in Wales before developing his songwriting talents on piano and harmonium.

His early recordings attracted Terry Noon, a former Van Morrison drummer who helped sign him with Decca Records’ subsidiary Dream. Over two albumshis self-titled debut in 1970 and Time of the Last Persecution in 1971he made an impact. However, his second album was unsuccessful commercially, leading to his dismissal from the label.

“I didn’t leave the music businessthe music business left me,” Fay told The Guardian in February 2024. Despite this setback, he continued making music outside of mainstream industry for decades. He worked as a groundskeeper, fruit picker, and factory worker while maintaining his passion for songwriting.

In 1998, a small British label reissued Fay’s first two albums, reigniting interest in his work. This resurgence caught the attention of producer Jim O’Rourke who shared Fays music with Wilco band member Jeff Tweedy during the recording sessions for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Tweedy was so impressed by “Be Not So Fearful” that he included it in their live shows and convinced Fay to perform alongside them on stage in 2007 and 2010.

Tweedy remarked, “There’s a simplicity and elegance to his music. You immediately recognize this is something uncut by ambition or fashion; its just someone humbly adding their voice for beauty and peace.” O’Rourke also introduced Fays work to David Tibet of Current 93, who helped compile the album Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow in 2005.

In recent years, Joshua Henry’s discovery of Time of the Last Persecution led him to contact Fay. This connection resulted in a collaboration with Dead Oceans where he released Life Is People (2012), Who Is the Sender? (2015), and Countless Branches (2020).

Dead Oceans also mentioned that Fay had been working on a new album just prior to his passing. “Our hope is to find a way to finish and release it, but for now, we remember Bill’s legacy as the man in the corner of the room at the piano who quietly wrote heartfelt songs touching people worldwide,” concluded Dead Oceans.

To learn more about Fays life and music, visit Dead Oceans Instagram page for their announcement of his passing.