Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg was born in December 1957. When punk hit the British music scene Bragg’s contribution was to form a band called Riff Raff. He then launched himself on a solo musical career, between time working in a record store and absorbing his new-found love of blues and politically-inspired folk music. During this time Bragg, and his music, became more overtly political and he became a fixture at political rallies and benefits, particularly during the 1984 Miners Strike, and he devoted much of his time to Red Wedge—an initiative to persuade young people to vote in the 1987 General Election—for which he toured with The Style Council, Madness, The Communards and The Smiths. Billy Bragg now lives in Dorset but is still writing music and challenging our elected politicians.