Dave “Peggy” Pegg, born on November 2, 1947, in Birmingham, England, grew up in a musical family, with his grandfather a skilled banjo player and his father a singer. He began playing guitar in school, inspired by Bert Weedon’s Play in a Day, and performed in local bands before leaving school to work briefly in an insurance office. The vibrant R&B and blues scene, particularly The Spencer Davis Group featuring Steve Winwood, motivated Pegg to pursue music professionally. In 1969, he joined Fairport Convention, blending folk and rock, a move that shaped his career.

In 1979, Pegg was invited to join Jethro Tull to replace the ailing John Glascock, becoming their bassist for 15 years. He played on albums including A (1980), Broadsword and the Beast (1982), Under Wraps (1984), Crest of a Knave (1987), Rock Island (1989), Catfish Rising (1991), and Roots to Branches (1995), as well as live recordings like A Little Light Music (1992) with Fairport drummer Dave Mattacks. During his Tull tenure, Pegg revitalized Fairport Convention by organizing their annual Cropredy Festival and recording new albums at his Woodworms Studio. Balancing both bands became challenging, and during the recording of Roots to Branches, with US bassist Steve Bailey covering some tracks, Pegg chose to focus on Fairport Convention. Jonathan Noyce later took over as Tull’s bassist.

After leaving Jethro Tull in 1995, Pegg dedicated himself to Fairport Convention, touring extensively and continuing to develop the Cropredy Festival into a major folk music event. Committed to preserving British folk music, he splits his time between homes in Brittany, France, and Banbury, England, and remains an active performer with Fairport Convention, contributing to their ongoing tours and recordings. His innovative bass playing, particularly adapting jigs and reels, has influenced generations of folk-rock musicians, and his organizational efforts have sustained Fairport’s legacy.