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Danny Thompson was born Daniel Henry Edward Thompson on 4th April 1939 in Teignmouth, Devon. His father, a miner and later a docker, provided a working-class backdrop to his childhood, while his mother cared for the home and supported his early fascination with music. At the start of World War 2, his father joined the Royal Navy but was killed in action on board a submarine.
The family moved to Battersea in London in 1945, and it was at school that Danny learned guitar, mandolin, trumpet and trombone before turning to the double bass, an instrument that became the defining voice of his career. A period in the British army followed (he played trombone with one of their bands), but he had also tried his hand before that at both football (he played as a junior for Chelsea) and boxing (winning 22 of his first 23 fights).
But music still beckoned, and sfter studying for a short period at Trinity College of Music in London, he immersed himself in the city’s vibrant jazz scene of the late 1950s and early 1960s, performing with leading British jazz figures such as Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott. He even found himself on tour with the Beatles having been recruited to join Roy Orbison's backing band. In a matter of days, he learned how to play bass guitar - an instrument which however he abandoned once the tour finished.
In 1967 he co-founded the groundbreaking folk-jazz ensemble Pentangle alongside Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, and Terry Cox. His muscular yet lyrical bass playing shaped the group’s unique sound, which blended traditional folk melodies with jazz improvisation and blues influences. Pentangle’s recordings, including albums such as "Basket of Light", carried Thompson’s rhythmic drive and subtle melodic input, though his contributions came more in the form of arrangement and musical architecture than as a songwriter in the conventional sense.
Alongside his work with Pentangle, he became a highly sought-after accompanist and collaborator, playing with an array of artists across genres. His long and fruitful association with John Martyn was particularly significant; Thompson’s resonant double bass underpinned many of Martyn’s most enduring songs, including "Solid Air" and "May You Never", where his playing acted as both anchor and counterpoint to Martyn’s free-flowing guitar.
Thompson also lent his artistry to recordings and performances with such names as Nick Drake, Richard Thompson, Donovan, Kate Bush, Paul McCartney, Cliff Richard, Rod Stewart, Barbara Dickson, Marianne Faithfull, Peter Gabriel, Alison Moyet and Talk Talk, demonstrating extraordinary versatility and sensitivity to the needs of each artist’s material.
His work was not limited to accompaniment however, as he occasionally ventured into composition, with such tracks as "Hunting Song", "I've Got a Feeling", "No Love Is Sorrow" (covered by Mary Hopkin), and "People On The Highway" (covered by Janet Holmes), but his reputation rested far more on interpretation, improvisation, and collaboration than on the writing of original songs.
Beyond the folk and rock worlds, he continued to play jazz, performing with figures such as Alexis Korner and Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, and later with his own projects that explored the intersections of folk, world music, and improvisation.
Danny Thompson’s talent lay in his ability to make the double bass a deeply expressive, almost vocal instrument, carrying both rhythmic authority and emotional depth. His tone was instantly recognizable: warm, resonant, and filled with character, yet always in service of the music and the artist he accompanied. He stood as a rare figure who bridged musical genres with ease and dignity, leaving an indelible mark on British folk, jazz, and popular music.
His legacy was one of quiet but immense influence, not measured by songwriting credits or chart hits, but by the countless performances and recordings elevated by his presence. In the history of popular music, he remained one of the finest and most respected bassists, admired for his artistry, integrity, and the timeless quality of his playing.
Danny died at the age of 86, on the 23rd September 2025, at his home in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. UK, from undisclosed causes.
The above is just one of the many profiles of leading songwriters, singers, musicians and music industry personnel, published by the International Songwriters Association and "Songwriter Magazine". Please click HERE for more.
© Jim Liddane
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