Quiz

Martyn was hugely respected by other musicians and songwriters, many of whom were more commercially successful than he was. Beth Orton, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Jools Holland and Fish are all fans of his music.

On 4th February 2008, he was the winner of the lifetime achievement award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, presented to him by Phil Collins.

His song "May You Never" was recorded by Eric Clapton on his 1977 album "Slowhand".

He was a friend of Nick Drake.

His childhood was divided between his mother's houseboat in England and his father's home in Scotland. He heard music in both the Presbyterian church and the English music halls.

In December 2008, he was living in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

He played acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards and harmonica.

He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2009 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to music.

He moved to London in his late teens, and had a steady gig at Les Cousins, a Soho club that was prominent in the folk scene.

He was the first white act signed to Chris Blackwell's Island Records.