Vin Garbutt

Vincent Paul Garbutt (20 November 1947 – 6 June 2017) was an English folk singer and songwriter. A significant part of his repertoire consisted of protest songs covering topics such as "the Troubles" in Northern Ireland (Welcome Home Howard Green, Troubles of Erin, To Find Their Ulster Peace), unemployment, and social issues. Whilst the subject of his songs featured many political and social topics, Garbutt's on stage wit, humour and storytelling between songs became a hit with audiences and for which he became widely known. He would wish his audiences "All the very best" along with, "I'm knackered now, aren't you?"

Early life Garbutt was born in Coral Street, South Bank, Middlesbrough, England, the son of an English father and an Irish mother. Although his first live performances were in a pop covers band called The Mystics, he discovered folk music while he was still at school and began visiting and performing at the Rifle Club in Cannon Street, Middlesbrough, and later at Eston Folk Club closer to his home .

After leaving school he initially enrolled on a six-month commercial course but was encouraged to become an apprentice at the Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) Wilton chemical plant, near to his home. Back in England in 1972 he recorded his first album for Bill Leader, The Valley of Tees, which established him as a singer-songwriter.

In 2007, he was nominated for "Best Live Act" again at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, with the award going to Bellowhead.

Discography The Valley of Tees (1972) The Young Tin Whistle Pest (live) (1974) King Gooden (1976) Eston California (1977) Tossin' a Wobbler (1978) Little Innocents (1983) Shy Tot Pommy (1985) [live – Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia] When The Tide Turns (1989) The By-Pass Syndrome (1991) Bandalised (1994) Plugged! (1995) [live – Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham, UK.] When the Tide Turns Again (1998) [reissue of 1989 album with one additional track] Word of Mouth (1999) The Vin Garbutt Songbook Vol 1 (2003) Persona ... Grata (2005) ''Vin Garbutt-Teesside Troubadour'' Documentary feature & live DVD (2011) Synthetic Hues (2014)