Renowned British folk singer Norma Waterson has died, aged 82, following a long illness. Her daughter, the musician Eliza Carthy, announced her mother's passing via social media.
Acknowledged by the New York Times as "the royal family of British folk music", Norma, joined by her brother Mike and sister Lal, formed folk group The Watersons in the 1960s, winning critical acclaim for their take on the traditional folk repertoire.
My beautiful mam passed away yesterday, January 30th 2022.
— Eliza Carthy MBE (@elizacarthy) January 31, 2022
More details over on my Facebook page. Very tired today.
"Just a song at twilight"https://t.co/0yXxZpeD1a to support my dad.
😔❤️ pic.twitter.com/dvuTWJgXaW
Watterson's husband Martin Carthy joined the group in the 1970s, and the duo later joined their daughter Eliza, an acclaimed artist in her own right, in folk trio Watterson-Carthy, while reuniting with the extended Waterson clan for occasional concert performances.
Her eponymously titled solo debut Norma Waterson was released in 1996, winning a Mercury Prize nomination, and Waterson remained a prolific performer well into her seventies. The recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award at the BBC Folk Awards in 2016, her final album, Anchor, was released in 2018.
The extended folk community worldwide have been celebrating Waterson's life and music, with RTÉ DJs John Creedon and John Kelly among many paying tribute online.
We are so sad to hear the news of Norma Waterson's death. Truly one of the greats. Sending all love and condolences to @elizacarthy and Martin. We have such amazing memories of sitting round the kitchen table with the family for their episode of Folk on Foot. pic.twitter.com/0dDIbhBmRR
— Folk on Foot (@folkonfoot) January 31, 2022
