Magna Carta (band)

Magna Carta
(from left to right) Chris Simpson, Linda Simpson, Matt Barnhoorn. May 2008.
Background information
Origin	England
Genres	Progressive rock, Folk, folk-rock, acoustic, rock
Years active	1969–present
Labels	Fontana, Vertigo, HTD, Tembo, Mercury, Talking Elephant, Repertoire, Harvey
Associated acts	Chris Simpson Fairport Convention Steeleye Span Ralph McTell Cat Stevens Dear Reader S.L.Y. Arlyn
Website	http://www.magnac.com/
Members	Chris Simpson George Norris Wendy Ross
Past members	Lyell Tranter Glen Stuart Davey Johnstone Nigel Smith Tom Hoy Linda Simpson Pick Withers Lee Abbott John Carey Matt Barnhoorn Nick Hall Laurens Joensen

Magna Carta is a progressive rock group originally formed in London in April 1969; their first concert was on 10 May 1969, by Chris Simpson (guitar, vocals), Lyell Tranter (guitar, vocals), and Glen Stuart (vocals).

The trio released albums for Fontana Records and Vertigo Records, enjoying particular success with 1970's Seasons before Tranter returned to Australia. Davey Johnstone joined the line-up as his replacement, recording Songs From Wasties Orchard and In Concert with the band before leaving to work with Elton John, with whom he is still playing.

Simpson and Stuart were then joined by Stan Gordon, recording and releasing the much-lauded Lord Of The Ages (parts from this album and Seasons were used as part of the English syllabus in several European countries). Graham Smith who had played on the sessions for Lord Of The Ages, was also added to the line-up but shortly afterwards both he and Gordon left.

There followed a period of much change and upheaval as Simpson and Stuart added a new rhythm section, but Glen Stuart did not feel comfortable with the new direction. This short-lived set-up soon gave way to Simpson and Stuart being joined by Tommy Hoy (ex-Natural Acoustic Band), before Stuart left to run a pet shop in Richmond, Surrey.

Nigel Smith joined in time to help record 1976’s Putting It Back Together. In 1977 Hoy’s former bandmate in the Natural Acoustic Band, Robin Thyne joined the band, along with Lee Abbott. Soon afterwards, Pick Withers was added. Withers stayed only briefly, leaving to join Dire Straits. Amid much acrimony Thyne and Hoy left in 1979 to form NovaKarta. Tom McConville appeared on the Live In Bergen release, before the line-up changed again to include Al Fenn and George Norris.

Between 1980 and 1982, Doug Morter was added to the line-up, together with a variety of drummers, including Paul Burgess. The 1981 release, Midnight Blue, contained “Highway To Spain”, a popular track on radio station playlists around the world. Norris, Burgess, and Morter all left, the latter moving on to the Albion Band.