Mac MacLeod

Keith MacLeod (known as Mac MacLeod) is a British musician. An important part of the Hertfordshire Folk and Blues scene from 1959 onwards. He played in St Albans along side Mick Softley, Maddy Prior and toured with John Renbourn.

The St. Alban's Crowd and Beyond

In the early days in The Cock pub and The Pea Hen pub MacLeod was a regular and one of the few finger pickers around. He often played with other musicians of note :the two local flat pickers, Mick Softley and Art Student HiFi Hughie (A.K.A Dirty Hugh). Donovan was influenced from 1961 onwards by MacLeods finger picking and the flat pick styles made popular by Ramblin' Jack Elliott which had been an big influence on Mick Softley and HiFi Hughie.Indeed it appears Hughie taught Donovan to flat pick and MacLeod taught him to finger pick (see Hurdy Gurdy ).

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Donovan said in an interview for Beat Instrumental in May 1965 titled 'Donovan's Big Influence? It's Not Dylan!'

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The man who encouraged and helped me most was a fellow called Keith 'Mac' MacLeod, I've known him for about three years, and he's taught me everything from chord progressions on the guitar, to how to appreciate folk and real blues?. MacLeod joined Donovan's first national tour of Britain which kicked off at the NME poll winners Party April 11th 1965, Donovan?s set has been called the first Folk-rock gig by music writer Richie Unterberger. One of the tour dates saw Donovan and MacLeod playing on stage with Joan Baez. After Donovan's first UK tour MacLeod teamed up with another regular on the St.Alban's scene Maddy Prior to form Mac & Maddy.

Related Topics:
Folk-rock - Joan Baez - Maddy Prior

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