Folk singer-songwriter singer Judy Dyble has died, aged 71.

A statement from her publicist read: โ€œIt is with great sadness that we announce that English singer-songwriter Judy Dyble passed away on 12th July 2020 following a long illness borne with great courage.โ€

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Dyble was the original singer with Fairport Convention, appearing on the bandโ€™s self-titled 1968 debut. After briefly joining Giles, Giles And Fripp (who later evolved into King Crimson), she formed Trader Horne with Themโ€™s Jackie McAuley. The duoโ€™s sole album, 1970โ€™s Morning Way, has since become a cult classic.

Dyble retired from music in 1973, but made a return to writing and recording in the early 2000s, releasing a number of solo albums, collaborating with artists such as Andy Lewis and Darren Hayman, and guesting with Fairport Convention at their Cropredy festival.

A new album Between A Breath And A Breath, a collaboration with David Longdon, is due for release later this year.

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Genesisโ€™ Steve Hackett was among those paying tribute on social media, hailing Dyble as โ€œgenuinely lovely person with a beautiful voiceโ€.

Bob Harris called Dyble โ€œa musical pioneer of the late 1960โ€™s, helping to create a new blend of folk music and rockโ€.

โ€œIt was such a privilege to work with her,โ€ wrote Darren Hayman. โ€œHeartbroken.โ€