An iconic figure in British folk-rock, Richard Thompson is arguably the genre's greatest triple threat: a dazzling guitarist, an outstanding songwriter, and a strong and evocative vocalist. As one of the founding members of the group Fairport Convention, Thompson made a seismic impact, incorporating elements of traditional music in a way that sparked a new interest in British folk. After leaving Fairport, Thompson recorded a handful of critically celebrated albums with his wife, singer Linda Thompson. Their marriage and musical partnership imploded in 1982, and in its wake Richard set out on a solo career. Slowly, he developed into an influential cult figure, thanks to an increased touring schedule, better promotion of his releases, and livelier production (often from frequent collaborator Mitchell Froom).