Michael Raven

• Name — Michael Raven • Birth Name — Michael Raven • Born — 1938 • Birthplace — Cardiff, Wales • Died — 15 April 2008 • Place of death — Staffordshire, England • Resting Place — St. John the Baptist Church, Ashley, Staffordshire • Occupation — * Author • Musician • Composer • Poet • Known for — Guitar arrangements • Notable Works — * (1,000) English Country Dance Tunes • A Guide to Staffordshire & the Black Country • A Guide to Shropshire • A Guide to Herefordshire • books on English Folk Guitar • Style — Fingerstyle guitar, specialising in Flamenco • Spouse — Eve Raven • Parents — Leonard & Marion Raven • Relatives — Jon Raven (brother) Paul Raven (nephew) Michael Raven was an English author, musician, composer and poet.

Michael Raven was born to Lancastrian parents in Cardiff, Wales but moved to the West Midlands when he was 3 years old. A talented sportsman, he became Midlands Decathlon Champion in 1954 at the age of 16 whilst a boarder at Towyn Grammar School. Michael did National Service with the Cheshire Regiment and saw active service in Malaya during the 1956 Emergency. Upon leaving the Army Michael continued his education at Keele University, Staffordshire. He met Eve, a Brighton girl, in Jersey whilst playing in cabaret in 1963, and married her in Gibraltar in 1965. With his brother Jon he collected and researched the folk music of the area. He was heavily involved in the folk scene, and worked as Mary Hopkins' accompanist during a summer season in Margate in 1971. as well as collaborating with brother, Jon Raven, and other artists. Throughout his life, Raven wrote 80 books, and featured on 50 CDs. He died in 2008 at the age of 70. He was the uncle of musician Paul Raven, died one year earlier.

Raven wrote and contributed to many books, often featuring his own photography as well as research. He was in the main a music publisher/composer/arranger and some of his books relate to Black Country and West Midlands history, traditions and music.

Raven was a member of folk trio The Black Country Three along with brother Jon Raven and Derek Craft, recording their self-titled debut album in 1966 for Transatlantic. Raven worked in folk-roots trio, Ravenshead. He has performed on the following albums: • The Black Country Three by The Black Country Three (1966) • The Halliard by Jon Raven / The Jolly Machine (1968) • Death and the Lady by Michael Raven and Joan Mills (1972) • Hymn to Che Guevara by Michael Raven (1974) • Songs and Solos by Michael Raven and Joan Mills (MR68 - 1993) • My Old Friend by Michael Raven with guest Joan Mills and Johnny Collins (1998) • Outlaw of Loch Lene by Michael Raven and Joan Mills (1999) • Gipsy English – Solo Guitar by Michael Raven (2000) • Retrospective – solo guitar by Michael Raven • Welsh Guitar – solo guitar by Michael Raven • Taming the Dragon's Strings – solo guitar by Michael Raven