Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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HIGGINS, Lizzie

(b Elizabeth Ann Higgins '29, Aberdeen, Scotland; d 20 Feb. '93) Traditional folk singer. From a family of Scottis travellers, semi-nomadic people; granddaughter of ballad singer Maria Stewart and daughter of one of Britain's greatest ever traditional vocalists, ballad singer Jeannie Robertson, and pipe player Donald Higgins. She was recorded '53 by Hamish Henderson of the Edinburgh-based School of Scottish Studies while he was recording her mother. Contributed track "Johnnie, My Man" anthology of Scottish travellers The Travelling Stewarts '67 on Topic, recorded in '67 by Bill Leader, and "Bogieside' on Back O' Benachie, both on Topic. Her Princess Of The Thistle on Topic '69 showed a warmer and softer voice than her mother, tracks included "Far Over The Forth' (became title track of Ray & Archie Fisher's debut EP), "Young But Growing' and "Young Emsley'. Up And Awa' Wi' The Laverock '75 included several of her "big ballads' incl. "Lord Lovat', "The Two Brothers' and "The Cruel Mother'. All these were on Topic; her What A Voice on Lismor '85 incl. "Willie's Ghost", "MacCrimmon's Lament' and "Glenlogie' and the title song. Her death from cancer left a huge hole in the Scots folk music scene.