Thompson wins
Richard Thompson / It would be an understatement to say that Richard Thompson is a famous British folk-rock legend. It would be an even bigger understatement to say that he dedicated his life to his craft. More than four decades of performing nearly two dozen albums worth of songs, and writing for legendary bands and artists like R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, Shawn Colvin, David Gilmour (among many others), Thompson’s fall tour brings him to the Paliku Theatre in Kaneohe.
Thompson tries to make it to Oahu at least once a year whether he’s playing or not. “I’m looking forward to a little R&R,” he said of his plans to spend some time on the North Shore during his stay. “When I’m not at the beach, I’ll be hiking, hanging out at the house or hanging with friends at Haleiwa Joe’s.” Spending half of his time in England and the other half in California, Thompson seems to enjoy traveling to places that have more to offer than just ritzy hotels. “I’m interested in the natural world,” he said. “Hiking in the desert, visiting tropical rainforests, watching birds, mammals, things like that. That’s really what I’m into.”
His passion for ecology was a perfect match for Timothy Tredwell’s 2004 polemical documentary, Grizzly Man, which found Thompson back in the studio working again in the film soundtrack genre. The controversial film about a man who lived with and was ultimately killed by grizzly bears won the attention of Sundance, and Thompson’s beautifully scored performance was later featured in the eight-part television series.
Thompson was born in Notting Hill and raised in West London. He and his bandmembers from his first band, Fairport Convention, were hailed folk-rock pioneers of the 1960s. But like many young guitarist of the times, Thompson left the band to pursue a solo career. Soon after the release of his freshman solo album in 1971, Thompson met his then wife and longtime singing partner, Linda Peters. It was with Peters that Thompson released six more albums.
It’s obvious that Thompson’s path has been shaped by songwriting and mastering the six-string, but if his music career hadn’t panned out the way he wanted? “I would have been a visual artist,” he said. Thompson said he dabbles in drawing and watercolors. Who knew that even rockstars have a plan B?
For now, folk-rock fans on Oahu will have to settle for his critically-acclaimed music.What to expect? The best way Thompson describes his music is, “I’m more rock than folk, but I’m more folk than rock.” Don’t miss a legendary icon perform a lifetime of music.
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