Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg formed his first band Riff Raff at the age of 20, they split up four years later after releasing several singles. His first solo album reached the Top 30 of the English charts in 1984. He was always politically active (for example, during the twelve-month miners’ strike, against racism and against neo-liberalism) and could always realise his convictions musically – without reducing himself to the role of protest singer. In 1980 he had his first number one hit with a cover version of the Beatles’ She´s Leaving Home. At the end of the 90s he recorded two albums with his band Wilco based on texts from the estate of the folk legend Woody Guthrie, which he set to music and recorded (Mermaid Avenue I & II). For Billy Bragg, engagement is essential and not simply a pose, and this can be heard clearly in his songs.

For the RuhrTriennale 2008 Billy Bragg can be heard together with Rosanne Cash in Flesh and Blood, Hearts and Minds.