Biography

Tom was born in Northampton on 29th April 1944 to parents Les and Kitty. His early years were spent in Far Cotton and Wessex Way on the Abington district of Northamptonshire. As a child Tom was a small and frail boy spending much of his time in bed, yet he still managed to participate in cricket with his great friend Roy Wills. Throughout Tom's early years his mother suffered with ill health and he spent much of his time with his grandmother Nel Whitbread, in a close knit family and although he was an only child, his relationship with his cousins was very much that of siblings.

Tom's education as a young man was an interesting facet of Toms life. Not being talented at woodwork, the teachers permitted him to go onto the playing fields and play cricket, attaining a place in the Northamptonshire Colts side as a fast bowler. Yet, his artistic sides flourished at school. He had a great love for books and showed promise at art, which pressed him to enter Cherry Orchard's, then a secondary school, fifth form.

After finishing school Tom entered college for a course in photography whilst working for Clark and Sherwell as an photo gravure etcher. It was at this point that Tom's life changed course. He injured his back at the age of 19 and was placed in a full torso cast for a number of months. When he recovered, he had no real desire to become cricketer, discovering a love for the guitar, poetry and artists such as Jack Kerouac, Bert Jansch, Davy Graham and Woody Guthrie.

Tom's life then moved towards music as a career, meeting up with Mark Griffiths, a young guitar player, with whom he made music throughout his life. In trips between London and Northampton, he formed his first band, 'The Flying Garrick' with Mark and received a spot at the Black Lion pub playing 'acid' blues and rock. (The original rhythm and blues, not the warbling over drumbeats that is passed as R & B in recent years).

Tom's folk routes flourished whilst staying in London, yet he was forced back to Northampton and pursued his career from his new address in Birchfield Road. For the next few years Tom toured Europe and England with 'The Celebrated Ratliffe Stout Band', named after a local brand of beer, whose members included his wife, Diane Hall, Dave Turvey as a jester; Paul Burgess as an all round musician, Sue Banks on fiddle and a clog dancer, Dave Mudge and Jaye Woodfield on piano accordion with regular backing on bass by both Gerald Claridge and Mark himself.

During the Ratliffe Stout Band era Tom released four albums which received a cult following due to is alternative take on folk and traditional music. "Songs and Tales from Greenwood Edge", "Dan Half Dan and the Spaceman", "Behind the Mask" and "Vanlag" chart toms progression throughout 1970's performances in clubs, concerts, festivals, TV and radio show both in Britain and abroad which ended in the birth of his first child Katharine Mary Hall on 1st of October 1979.

With Diane, taking a sabbatical from music, Tom departed onto the road again with Jaye Woodfield for a number of years, but then returned home to form a 'Rock and Roll' band. Tom returned to playing in the pubs and clubs around Northampton throughout the early 1980's, with William Thomas Hall being born on 25th November 1982.

Playing with a newly formed band including drums and bass, as well as Tom on electric mandola gave a new perspective on Tom's music. This culminated in the making of "Plastered in Paris" in 1985, this was his first album since "Vanlag" in 1981, and fielded a the trusted cast list of Jaye, Mark and Gerald.

After 'The Celebrated Ratliffe Stout Band', Tom created a number of bands in parallel with each other, giving himself a forum to experiment with different styles. Tom was the lead singer of 'The Bare Back Ryders' playing country, blues and rock, whom he remained to play with until his death. 'The Alternative Cabinet' sporting keyboards and mandolins and fielding toms folk facets followed by the 'The Strung Out Sisters' a three piece string band. All of these bands released cassette albums, The Ryders in 1988 and all of the above recording throughout 1990.

For Tom's fiftieth birthday he decided to release a CD celebrating all of his perspectives and combining with the people with who he had played with over the years. This album truly showed off Tom Hall as he wished to be seen. An eclectic mixing pot of styles and influences, from Memphis to Manchester; Madrid to Mississippi.

After "Watering the Spirits" Tom continued to play in a duo with Guy Fletcher a young violinist and as a two man show making them a sight to behold. Toms massive frame and bushy beard making the slight, long-haired Guy look like a child next to Father Christmas on stage! Tom continued with Guy until months before his death, releasing both a cassette and CD "50, 000 Hubcaps" with him (1996 and 1998).

Towards the twilight of Toms career he became increasingly frustrated with the lack of gigs available to original acts and pre-recorded music. Tom was forced to stop drinking, a dependence that had supported him most of his adult life, yet his willpower saw him through the hard times.

Tom died on February 25th 2003 in Northampton General Hospital from complications due to sever liver cirrhosis. However his recording legacy lives on through the peoples lives that he influenced.

To sum Tom's life up, I would say that he was an inspiration to many in his generosity and kindness. The tragedy a majesty of his life was his lack of popular acceptance. He was a storyteller, poet, singer musician and great friend of many, whether alone or in a crowded room, the legacy of Tom Hall is not only on the stage a a leviathan of English music but also as the Falstaff of British eccentricity and ideals.

Links:
The Jazz Butcher's Tom Hall Tribute page
Mark Griffith Tribute
Neil Spencer Tribute