In 1966 she began performing with Tim Hart, building a reputation around the folk clubs. Together they recorded two albums before joining forces in 1970 with Ashley Hutchings (of Fairport Convention) and Gay & Terry Woods as founding members of the legendary Steeleye Span. The years that followed saw Steeleye taking folk music out of the backroom clubs and into the charts with a string of hit albums, gold discs and world tours. Hart and Prior remained constant in a group whose changing line-ups read like a Who’s Who of British folk, until Tim left in 1980.
Although best known from Steeleye Span, Prior pursued other projects throughout this period, including recording session work, albums of her own songs and eclectic styles from medieval, through electric folk, prog-rock and traditional songs, including session work on Mike Oldfield’s Incantations. Two albums were released with June Tabor (as the Silly Sisters) and solo projects saw her work with the likes of Martin Carthy, Nic Jones, Danny Thompson and John Kirkpatrick.
Maddy left Steeleye Span in 1997, going on to record Arthur The King an extended song-cycle exploring the facts and fictions surrounding England’s legendary King. Following Arthur, Maddy recorded Lionhearts, based on the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother to Richard the Lionheart and King John, and wife to Henry II.
Since rejoining Steeleye in 2002, Maddy has been as busy as ever. In 2004, the band celebrated their 35th anniversary with tours in the Australia and the UK, a headline appearance at Sidmouth International Festival and a new album: They Called Her Babylon, the first release of new material from the band since 2000,.
More recently, Maddy took to the road with the Carnival Band in May 2007 for their "Music for Tavern and Chapel" tour. They celebrated the 300th anniversary of one of the key influences on their work, Charles Wesley. She made a guest appearance with The Levellers at the Solfest Festival in Cumbria in August 2007.
Since 2003, Prior has run and hosted an Arts Centre called Stones Barn in Cumbria. Working with fellow singers and performers like Abbie Lathe and Rose Kemp, Maddy has offered residential courses focusing on singing, meditation, cookery and performance.
In 2001 Prior was awarded the MBE for services to folk music.
