“The edges were bound to fray – we were bound to take from each other. David Gilmour openly accused Roger Waters of copying me”: The influential folk singer-songwriter who never quite gained stardom, but gained massive respect instead

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Roy Harper performs onstage during his 'The Final Tour: Part Two' at the London Palladium on September 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Gus Stewart/Redferns).

Since the mid-60s progressive folk singer-songwriter Roy Harper has enjoyed a successful solo career and also collaborated with everyone from Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel to Kate Bush and Led Zeppelin – but never quite reached the commercial heights of his peers. He looks back over highlights from his career so far and teases a new album.

Not for the first time, Roy Harper is considering his art. “In order to remain current, songs have to pertain to what’s happening in a modern sense,” he declares. “I always aim to write with a sort of timelessness; that’s the number one consideration.”