Simon John Breckenridge Nicol, born October 13 1950, Muswell Hill, North London is an English electric folk guitarist and singer. He is a founding member and the longest-serving member of Fairport Convention although between 1971 and 1975/6 he took a "sabbatical" from the band, during which he recorded and toured with former members and produced albums. His return to the fold came when he was sound engineer for their 1976 album 'Gottle o' Geer'. He re-joined Fairport shortly after. He is married to Sylvia. They have three children and live in Oxfordshire.
He is also inextricably linked with the Albion Band, (playing with its first and many other incarnations) and with Richard Thompson both live and on record. Although he is most well-known for his membership in the aforementioned bands, he is also a solo artist and has performed and recorded as a duo with Dave Swarbrick.
