MEMBERS of Fairport Convention, who play at the Theatre Royal in Winchester on Tuesday, February 18, have come and gone, some tragically.

But the originators of folk-rock carry on keeping faith with the group's initial concept, led by founder member Simon Nicol. Formed in 1967, the band chose the name Fairport Convention as they convened at Simon's house, Fairport, in London's Muswell Hill, to rehearse.

Early members were Judy Dyble, Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings, Martin Lamble and Iain Matthews. Judy was soon replaced by vocalist Sandy Denny, who brought a more traditional sound to the band.

Their second album featuring Sandy, What We Did On Our Holidays, released in 1968, contained some of the band's finest work and received huge critical acclaim. Tragedy followed in August 1969 when guitarist Martin Lamble was killed in a road accident. Fairport's third album, Unhalfbricking, on which Martin had played, was released soon after, featuring guest violinist Dave Swarbrick, who became a full-time member.

After two more albums Ashley Hutchings left to form Steeleye Span, with Sandy Denny defecting to form Fotheringay. Dave Pegg was recruited on bass and Swarbrick became a fiddle-playing frontman and vocalist. Several albums later, poor sales led to a disillusioned Simon Nicol and Ashley Hutchings leaving to form The Albion Band. Sandy Denny rejoined, as did Dave Mattacks, but Fairport Convention finally split up with a swansong at Cropredy in Oxfordshire in 1979. Since then, an annual reunion has taken place and Cropredy Festival is now a major event on the folk calendar. After Dave Swarbrick was replaced by Ric Sanders and another violinist, Chris Leslie, joined the band alongside Simon, Dave and drummer Gerry Conway, the "swansong" appeared rather a sham, as the band started touring and recording again in 1985.

In fact the current line-up is the most settled in the band's history, releasing another half dozen successful albums. Now the thought of a folk music scene without regular appearances and albums by Fairport Convention would be unthinkable. Tickets cost from £12.50. Box office: 01962 840440.