Michael Raven was born in Cardiff of Lancastrian parents in 1938. He was educated at Towyn Grammar School and Keele University where he studied geology and political philosophy. He was a keen sportsman and in 1956, at the age of 18, he was the men’s Midlands Decathlon Champion. He did his National Service with the Cheshire Regiment on active service in Malaya where he was an Acting Sergeant and double Marksman on both the rifle and the Bren light machine gun. On leaving college he did a variety of jobs from pipe-line labourer to lorry driver before going to Spain to learn flamenco guitar. Shortly afterwards he became a professional musician, writer and researcher into the folklore of the West Midlands. He was an active performer both as a solo guitarist and as a member of several groups, including The Black Country Three, which regularly appeared on radio and television. In 1972 he accompanied Mary Hopkin (Those were the Days) for a summer season at Margate and established the Stafford Spanish Guitar Centre. He spent several years full-time teaching at the centre and at Universities and Colleges of Education, and performed and recorded with folk singer Joan Mills. He died on 15th April 2008 at the age of 70.
2000
Michael Raven Records
CD, Album
1998
Not On Label
CD, Album
1997
Michael Raven Records
CD, Comp, RE
1996
Michael Raven Records
CD, Album
1995
Michael Raven Records
CD, Album
1995
Not On Label (Michael Raven (2) Self-released)
CD, Album
1995
Not On Label (Michael Raven (2) Self-released)
CD, Album
1994
Not On Label (Michael Raven (2) Self-released)
CD
1993
Not On Label (Michael Raven (2) Self-released)
CD, Album
1977
Broadside
LP, Album
1976
Stoof
LP, Album
1974
Folk Heritage Recordings
LP, Album
1974
1973
Cambrian
LP
1972
1971
Argo (2)
LP, Album
1970
Roman Head
LP
1966
XTRA
LP, Album
2006
Castle Music, Castle Music, Castle Music, Castle Music, Castle Music, Castle Music, Castle Music, Castle Music, Castle Music
4xCD, Comp + Box
2006
Osmosys
CD
2004
1999
Broadside
VHS, Copy Prot., PAL
1980
Big Bear Records, Big Bear Records
7"
1973
Broadside
LP
1973
1968
Broadside
LP, Album
1966
Wolverhampton Folk Song Club
7", EP, Mono
1966
High House Records (2)
7", EP
2022
Grapefruit Records
Box, Comp + 3xCD
2020
Grapefruit Records
3xCD, Comp + Box
1979
Broadside
LP, Comp
1973
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