Sandy Denny Dies After Falling Down Stairs In 1978 Aged 31.

Sandy Denny joined Fairport Convention in 1968 and was involved in 3 of their finest albums, Unhalfbricking, What we Did On Our Holidays and the critically acclaimed "Liege And Leif." She left the Fairport's in 1969 to form Fotheringhay and made only one album with them before the band split up and she pursued a solo career.
Undoubtedly one of the finest vocalists of all time, her voice could handle everything from traditional folk such as "Matty Groves" & "Tam Lin" from "Liege and Leaf," through to touching ballads such as the beautiful "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" which she wrote and which appeared on "Unhalfbricking".
Although Sandy's time with Fairport was brief, she contributed more than just a few songs and the vocals on three albums. She helped them to become the iconic folk rock pioneers that they were throughout the seventies and beyond.
Another notable achievement of Sandy's is that  she is the only guest vocalist ever on a Led Zeppelin studio album. She shared vocal duties with Robert Plant on "The Battle of Evermore" which appears on Led Zeppelin IV released in 1971.
I remember, with great sadness, the news of Sandy's tragic death, aged only 31 in 1978 and barely started on what should have been a long and memorable career. Memorable it certainly was, but long it wasn't.
It is fair and true to say that Sandy was not exactly looking after herself in the final years, she was a heavy drinker at times and used drugs regularly. It is not reported whether this was a direct cause of the fall down a flight of stairs from which she died  a few weeks afterwards, after falling into a coma at the home of a friend. It is cited in some works that the fall took place at a family cottage in Cornwall and that after the fall, sandy's mother refused to take her to the hospital.
Whether that is true or not, we lost Sandy just a short time afterwards.
There is much to remember about Sandy, the songs she wrote and/or recorded are examples of what is great about British music, both then and now. Great songs, a strong voice with passion and emotional power and the company of some of the finest musicians on the planet.

Alexandra Elene MacLean Denny, known as Sandy Denny was born on 6th January 1947 and died on 21st April 1978 aged 31.

RockBottoms Recommended reading:



No More Sad Refrains, available for Kindle or as a paperback, by Clinton Heyling, is a poignant yet very readable account of Sandy's life. There 288 pages with some photographs. Although not an official biography this is probably the best account of her life currently available.

For more Sandy Denny recommended reading and listening, visit the "Celebrated RockBottoms Store".