Steeleye Span

The makeup of Steeleye Span through the years

Last modified: 21/08/11

The band has been through a number of lineup changes through the years. Here the makeup of each is listed, there are also tables cross-referencing by band member and showing which albums were made by which lineup.

Steeleye Span Mark I (1970)

Jan 1970-Apr 1970

Albums

Hark! The Village Wait. (June 1970)

The band recorded one studio album and then broke up, without ever playing a live concert.

Steeleye Span Mark II (1970-1971)

Apr 1970-Nov 1971

Albums

Please To See The King (March 1971), Ten Man Mop Or Mr Reservoir Butler Rides Again (December 1971)

Gay and Terry left, to be replaced by Martin Carthy and Peter Knight.

Steeleye Span Mark III (1971-1973)

Dec 1971-May 1973

Albums

Below The Salt (August 1972), Parcel Of Rogues (June 1973)

Ashley left and Rick Kemp replaced him on bass. Then Martin left, and Peter recruited Bob Johnson, old friend of his as lead guitarist.

III

Steeleye Span Mark IV (1973-1977)

Jun 1973-Jan 1977

Albums

Now We Are Six (February 1974), Commoner's Crown (January 1975), All Around My Hat (November 1975), Rocket Cottage (October 1976)

Nigel Pegrum was added on drums.

Steeleye Span Mark V (1977-1978)

Jun 1977-Mar 1978

Albums

Storm Force Ten (November 1977), Live At Last! (March 1978)

Pete and Bob left to pursue external projects. Having contractual obligations to meet, Martin was persuaded to return, bringing with him John Kirkpatrick. The band then broke up in 1978.

Steeleye Span Mark VI (1980)

The same as Mark IV

Albums

Sails of Silver (1980)

The Mark IV band reformed, made one album, then broke up again, with the various members leaving to pursue individual careers.

Steeleye Span Mark VII (1984-1986)

Albums

Back In Line (1986), In Concert (1994)

VII

Steeleye Span Mark VII(i&ii) (1986)

In 1986 Rick Kemp had to give up playing the bass due to injury and first Mark Williamson then Chris Staines replaced him. Neither of these lineups recorded an album, and I don't increment the 'mark' number accordingly. Reinhard Zierke's numbering and mine diverge at this point.

Steeleye Span Mark VIII (1989)

Albums

Tempted And Tried (1989)

VIII

Steeleye Span Mark IX (Sep 1989-1995)

Albums

Tonight's The Night (1991), In Concert (1991)

Steeleye Span Mark X (1996-Oct 1997)

Albums

Time (1996)

After getting together for a 25th year reunion concert (See The Journey), Gay Woods, one of the original band memebers, rejoined the band.

Steeleye Span Mark XI (Nov 1997-Sep 2000)

Albums

Horkstow Grange (Sep 1998), Bedlam Born (25 Sep 2000)

Maddy left the band to concentrate on her solo career. Liam also left, reducing the band to a four-piece.

Steeleye Span Mark XII (Sep 2000-Jan 2001)

Albums

No albums

After recording Bedlam Born, Bob Johnson retired from the band. Rick Kemp 'replaced' him---Rick returned to play bass, with Tim concentrating on lead guitar.

XII

Steeleye Span Mark XIII (2001)

Albums

No albums

On 14 January 2001, Gay Woods announced she was leaving the band, reducing it to a three-piece.

XIII

Steeleye Span Mark XIV (2002)

Albums

Present (2002)

Maddy, Liam and Robert rejoined the band, but Tim Harries left. After recording Present, a re-recorded "best of" album, Bob's health forced him to leave the band and he retired (again).

XIV

Steeleye Span Mark XV (2003-2010)

Albums

They Called Her Babylon (2004), Winter (2004), Bloody Men (2009), Cogs, Wheels And Lovers (2006)

Ken Nicol was recruited to replace Bob. At seven years, this lineup is the longest lasting so far.

Steeleye Span Mark XVI (2011-)

Albums

none

Ken Nicol left and was replaced by Peter Zorn and Julian Littman.

XVI

Also Starring...

Gerry Conway: Drums on Hark! The Village Wait
Dave Mattacks: Drums on Hark! The Village Wait, Horkstow Grange and Bedlam Born
David Bowie: Alto sax on Now We Are Six
Peter Sellers: Ukelele on Commoner's Crown

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