Lawrence Flynn

Flynn in 1971. Photograph by Kris Köhler.

**Lawrence William Flynn** (born 20 August 1945) is a British singer-songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist and principal songwriter of rock band Flyford Favell. His work received critical acclaim, both at the time and in retrospective reviews. Following an overdose in 1972, he returned to his mother's home in Worcestershire and disappeared from the public eye until 1992, when he released a solo album, Zetlandicus*.*

## Early life and career

Flynn was born on 20 August 1945 in the village of Kibblesworth in Tyne and Wear, England, to William Flynn, a coal miner, and Rose Harper, a primary school teacher. His father died in 1948 in a mining accident. Flynn, his elder sister and his mother, then pregnant, relocated to Flyford Flavell, Worcestershire (for which the band would later be named, albeit with a misspelling). Flynn was taught guitar by his sister Veronica from the age of five, and gifted his own when he was twelve.

Flynn left school at 16 with three O-Levels and worked in a local pub, playing folk songs and his own compositions on Friday nights. After four years, encouraged by friend Pete Thompson, Flynn made plans to relocate to America and pursue music. Finding a job on a ship with Thompson's uncle, Flynn travelled to Boston in the summer of 1965.

Upon arrival in Boston in June 1965, Flynn boarded a bus to New York, on which he met Al Hickey, who was traveling down from Montreal. Although the two of them quickly became friendly, they would not play together for another few months. Once in New York, Flynn found an apartment, and got by playing at open mics and working at a local diner. In October 1965, Flynn and Hickey would play their first set together in Greenwich Village. Flynn moved in with girlfriend Cass Parsons, who introduced them to her friend, Cleo Wallis, in 1966. Flynn has since described the moment he saw Wallis perform with her band, The Optics, as "a revelation". At the time, she declined to join them, later stating apprehension over starting a band with "two guys and two guitars".

Flynn bought a twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar in 1967 upon recommendation from his sister, and began to work on playing heavier music, particularly encouraged to do so after seeing Bob Dylan play electric music in 1966. Hickey would move from guitar to bass around the same time. This proved a valuable move, Wallis citing Flynn and Hickey's move to electric music as a reason she had been more open to working with them following the breakup of The Optics in 1967. Sara would join the band that same year.

## Flyford Favell (1967-1972)

*Main article: Flyford Favell*

Flynn would from Flyford Favell with Hickey, Wallis and Sara in July 1967. The played several shows over the next few months, culminating in their filling in at a gig in Los Angeles for a friend's band in June 1968. This trip resulted in their signing with SK Records. Flynn relocated to California with the rest of the band, breaking up with Parsons. Flynn played guitar and sang vocals - both lead and backing - on all their records, and was the principal songwriter for the band. On their debut, *Flyford Favell,* Flynn wrote five tracks, more than any other member. Following the subsequent tour, Flynn grew far more prolific as a writer. He also grew closer with Wallis, striking up a friendship that would last until present day, a stark contrast to the rest of the band's tumultuous relationships. The tour for their debut also allowed Flynn to visit home for the first time since 1965, which he later stated he found invigorating.

During preparation for their next album, Flynn quickly developed a more mature writing style and developed more complex compositions. Coupled with Sara's propensity as an arranger and Wallis' unique sound, *The Black Bull of Norroway* was met with critical and commercial success. Flynn wrote over half of all the songs on the album, including a joint composition with himself and Wallis. Flynn also stated later that it was during this time that he felt he found his footing, mostly thanks to Sara's contributions in regard to arrangements. Recordings of the subsequent tour were used for the 1980 live album.

In 1971, Flynn was introduced to Old Dover Road manager Jared McKernan by Hickey. Wallis would later describe this meeting as the beginning of the end, citing McKernan as the reason for Flynn's heroin addiction. Flynn has disputed this, instead suggesting that it would have happened anyway. Flynn's writing turnover deteriorated, although what he did write would later be acclaimed as his best work. His declining health coupled with tensions in the studio between Hickey and Sara meant the production of Flyford Favell's final album, *Sordid Realities*, was decidedly tumultuous. Despite this, the album was released to universal acclaim. The second side was composed entirely by Flynn, and is generally considered the stronger side of the album. The lyrics deal with Flynn's addiction and existentialism.

## Hospitalisation and retirement

On 3 March 1972, the day before their US tour was set to commence, Flynn was hospitalised after an overdose in his hotel room. He was found by Hickey and Wallis. He remained in hospital for several days, after which he travelled to New York with Wallis to stay with her and her family. Following two months of seclusion and withdrawal, Flynn approached the band about his intent to quit. Given the already existent tension between Hickey and Sara, and newfound interpersonal conflict between Wallis and Hickey, the band broke up. Flynn subsequently returned to England to move back in with his mother.

Over the next two decades, Flynn would remain out of the public eye. Although it is speculated that he wrote songs for friends and new artists alike, Flynn did not put his name to anything and instead remained at home and retreated into artwork. He bought a farm in the same village as his mother, and worked there. He shied away from interviews and would not speak publicly again until 1992.

## *Zetlandicus* to present

Following the death of his mother in 1988, Flynn worked on and eventually released *Zetlandicus* in 1992, and gave his first interviews in twenty years. The album dealt with his grief and mental health issues, although Flynn noted - along with critics - that it was his most hopeful work to date. He would not release another album following this, although he has stated intent to release some of his personal demos dating back to the late 1960s. Flynn has also written for several artists over the past thirty years, as well as releasing songbooks.

Flynn continues to express his wish for privacy, although he still pursues charity work with several music charities in the United Kingdom.

## Personal life

Flynn lives near Flyford Flavell, Worcestershire. He owns an arable and pastoral farm on the outskirts of the village. He keeps sheep and chickens and grows wheat.

Flynn is notoriously secretive about his private life. He has never married and has no children, although he has mentioned that his niece, Margot Flynn-Davis, grew up in and around his home. Flynn-Davis is the subject of "For Margot*"* from *Zetlandicus*, and is herself the lead singer and guitarist for Britpop group, Choke.