Steeleye Span, a key player in the folk-rock movement of the '70s, brought traditional British music to the mainstream while also incorporating original material into their repertoire. Their innovative approach and consistent output, highlighted by hits like "All Around My Hat," solidified their status as one of the most enduring bands from that era. Despite lineup changes and evolving musical trends, the band's dedication to their craft and experimentation led to creative peaks with albums like Tempted & Tried and Wintersmith, marking them as a prolific force in British roots music.

Formed in 1969 by Ashley Hutchings after leaving Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span underwent several lineup changes before achieving commercial success with albums like Parcel of Rogues and All Around My Hat in the mid-'70s. Their transition to a more rock-oriented sound with the addition of drummer Nigel Pegrum saw them reach new heights, but fading interest in folk-rock led to a decline in popularity by the late '70s. Despite challenges, the band continued to tour and release quality albums, experiencing a resurgence with Wintersmith in 2013 and celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2019 with a new album and extensive U.K. tour. A comprehensive box set, Good Times of Old England, released in 2022, encapsulated their influential 1972-1983 era, featuring studio albums and the previously unreleased Live at the Rainbow Theatre 1974.