Legendary Folk Singer Sandy Denny - Buried at Putney Vale Cemetery 

I remember seeing her perform in a the 1970s in London, when she was pregnant. I can't remember where, but a little while afterwards I was stopped in the street by a friend who told me she had died. I was shocked to here this sad news, as it was not that long after I had seen her very much alive and performing. RIP Sandy Denny 🌹 "Who knows where the time goes "

Who knows where the time goes... sung by sandy still gives me goosebumps.

I left flowers on her grave when I visited Putney Vale cemetery way back over Christmas in 1998 I think. I played the "Quiet Joys" on my discman and payed my respects. Sandy is a one-off. She'll never be forgotten.

She was a amazing singer. Rest in peace Lady Sandy Denny (1947-1978)

Cemeteries make me very sad. I rarely go to burials, but if I do I always look at the photos, the dates, the dedications, the tributes with a lot of pain in my chest and think... this person was once a child, was the joy of her parents, a teenager, had so many dreams, loves, friends and now it's all over. Soon few will remember her. One day no-one else. If they've lived long enough, there's still some consolation. But if not, like Sandy and this girl Kim, who left so soon, it's too sad because they still had so many things to do. Rest in peace, Kim. Rest in peace, Sandy. Your voice still moves me so much.

I count myself very lucky to have seen Sandy perform live three times, having been introduced to the delights that were Fairport in 1973.

A wonderful person and a delightful performer. Sandy will be loved and appreciated long after most of us are history. The material she left us with will ensure she will continue to be discovered by those who appreciate real singing. Kind regards to any fans reading this. Please keep listening and supporting Sandy. England, January, 2024.

What a beautiful touching tribute to the young girl Kim. How very touching and thoughtful of you.

Who knows where the time goes is one of my favourites, it's very apt indeed.👍

So very talented. Such a tragedy, to die so young. Thank you for your excellent programs.

The American singer-songwriter Alela Diane wrote and recorded a beautiful tribute called 'Song For Sandy' on her 'Cusp' album a few years ago.

Ever since I was a schoolboy, I have played Fairport every day of my life. I was lucky enough to see her play life in her last tour with Fairport. x

Another lovely singer gone before her time, I am sure she would saw Thank you for the flowers 🌺 and Kim would probably grateful 🌹once again thank you for the story about sandy 💖💖👍👍

I only just discovered Sandy Denny yesterday after watching a program on BBC2 by professor Brian Cox called the Universe. They played Sandy's "Who knows where the time goes" at the ending credits. So sad to hear about her struggles with alcoholism. I'm going to buy all her records.

Lovely video. Thanks for doing it. I'm a longtime fan of Sandy Denny. I had the pleasure to see Sandy during her solo career.

I am only just in the early stages of exploring her work, but what an outstanding talent. Her voice is just incredible.

Beautiful sandy deny, sad, alone in a cold grave, remembered for her beauty, her daughter and her beautiful music

Another eye and mind opener. So thank you.

Beautiful voice from a very talented lady, don’t forget,THE BATTLE OF EVERMORE, from LED Zeppelins 4th album which Sandy sang alongside Robert Plant, and was the only artist ever to have performed with the greatest rock band of all time,what an incredible honor, this song is my all time LED Zeppelin favorite thanks to the great voice of SANDY DENNY, missed but never forgotten.

I was a huge Sandy Denny fan back then. Saw her live with Fairport Convention in December 1975 in Amsterdam. I never loved anyone so dearly. RIP Sandy.

Sandy Denny. What a person. Her music touches the heart and will live on. Samdy, I miss you, always will.

You have a very clear voice , Great channel thank you ❤️

Thanks for this, I LOVE Sandy so much!

Pretty girl and a wonderful voice. RIP X, and long live Fairport Convention in their many incarnations.

I have just discovered your channel and love everything I've watched so far. I first heard Sandy Denny in the late 60s and since then her music has occupied a special place in my heart. I searched for Kim Bothwell in the British Newspaper Archive and see that her family posted touching tributes to her 'in memoriam' over a number of years. On the first anniversary of her death, the following appeared in the Westminster and Pimlico News: "A thousand words won't bring you back, we know because we're tried and neither will a million tears, we know because we've cried. If roses grow in heaven Lord, please pick a bunch with care, and place them in our dear Kim's arms and tell her we'll love her always". This is followed by "We had no time to say goodbye but that we would not have wanted. God saw you fall and picked you up. He knew your hurts. The world could not mend and He would not let you suffer. So hold her close Lord and love her always. Tell her we'll walk with her always in memory until we all meet again." Incredibly touching and how appropriate that the flower you placed on her grave was a rose.

I have been a "devoted" fan of Sandy for the past several years (5 or 6). As I was assembling a Spotify playlist of my favorite Sandy songs, I tried to recall when it was I first heard of her. After some thought, I remembered her singing, "It's a Boy" on the 1972 London Symphony Orchestra's version of TOMMY. I was such a big Who fan at the time, that I listened to anything associated with The Who. She only sang..."It's a boy, Mrs. Walker, it's a boy. It's a boy, Mrs. Walker, it's a boy." By anyone's standards, that is not a fair sampling in which to judge a singer's talent. However hearing it now, she sounds like an angel and her talent is obvious. Since Fairport Convention was not on my musical radar, Sandy Denny slipped into obscurity...for me anyway. I wasn't an avid Zepplin fan at the time (did I mention The Who?) so it wasn't until a few years later when I was reading the liner notes for Led Zepplin IV that I saw her name again as a guest artist on "The Battle of Evermore." I read a quote about this recording session with Robert Plant, where Sandy said afterward, that was the only time she was ever 'out-sung' by anyone. Fast forward to several years ago, I fell hard for Sandy Denny and began doing rabbit hole-like research on her music, career, and personal life. I have often wondered what life might have had in store for Sandy, had she been able to defeat her demons and reach her full potential and fame. I wish there was a high-quality video recording of a concert. Thank you for a terrific video tribute to Sandy that I know I will watch again and again. If you would like to check out my Sandy Denny playlist, go to Spotify under Brian Boru.

What a lovely video. Sandy's voice has always sent me into raptures - even when she was alive her voice was full of echoes of the ghosts of the past, and of course that feeling only increased with her untimely death. I live within walking distance of Putney Vale and have meant over and over again to visit her grave - having seen this I will do it and very soon!

A wonderful singer, she duetted with Robert Plant on the Led Zeppelin 4 album track "The battle of Evermore" the only female voice ever to be heard on a Led Zeppelin recording...

I visited her grave some years ago , a legendary singer in the era of folk rock in the 70's

Thank you Babs for all your hard work, sandy story brings a little pain to my heart. Remind me of my two sisters, like her just never had the tools for this world, but he was still able to bring love and happiness, such as life I’m in London for April for a wedding I might try to make it over to Putney Vale.🎼🎼💚💚

Once again a lovely dedication to Sandy Denny. A great English folk singer❤ I'm enjoying your content very much and I subscribed. Thank you for all your research and kind gestures towards these great artists 🎉

In June 2015, I travelled to London from North Yorkshire to see Suzanne Vega play at Union Chapel, Islington. I had a few hours to spare in the afternoon, so on a whim, I decided to travel by train and bus to Putney Vale Cemetery to try to find Sandy Denny's grave. Although she was a bit before my time (I was 12 when she died in April 1978) I have listened to her music a lot in recent years and love her voice and her songs. It took me a while, and a lot of walking, to find her grave and I eventually had to look at an information board that lists where the graves of famous people are. It said simply "Sandy Denny. Singer". No mention of her wonderful songwriting (a bit like saying "Salvador Dali. Painter"), but at least she was on the list. When I found her headstone, it struck me how plain her grave is. As I stood there on that hot June day, I felt sad about a life cut tragically short and so much talent lost so early. A case of what might have been. She was already gone before I discovered her music. As I stood there reflecting, I have to say that I felt Sandy Denny wasn't really there at all. To me, her music is linked to the countryside and the seasons, so Sandy Denny (and her music) is wherever we want her/it to be. The sea on a summer's day. The russet and gold autumn woods. The frosty winter fields or a lively, sparkling river in spring.

Been to her old house byfield near Banbury, people who own it now really nice and let me take a few pictures,and his parents gave us a nice wave from inside

A lovely tribute to a great singer. I love Sandy’s music and she’s much missed.

I’m ashamed to say that I have never heard of this lady. What a tragic end, very sad. Those gold roses are perfect. Best wishes.

Aww thanks for this she really was a gem. Early Fairport is amazing.

What a lovely video, and what a hauntingly beautiful grave to find. I did a spot of Ancestry searching and Kim Bothwell lived in Bramber Road, Fulham. She died in Fulham and left over £4,000 in her probate (a tidy sum in those days).

I do not fear the time ... what a weird coincidence that I got here through your Charles Hawtree vid, then scanned your other content .. then saw this gem on Sandy near the end.

Ahh another wonderful tribute. Im listening to Sandy now, what a lovely voice. Shame on me for not knowing her but its never too late to become a fan ❤

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful piece . I am a huge fan of Sandy Denny ❤

I was art college at the time Sandy died and your video jogged my memory. The other young girl, Kim, was born just a few days before me. If she’d lived she might well be a grandmother of 65 now.

Just love her music! Thanks for this ... Loved those times!

I first heard her (although I didn’t know who it was!) on Led Zeppelins ‘Battle of Evermore’ - one of my fave Zep songs made all the more by her beautifully hypnotic voice. It was many years later that I found out she was also in The Strawbs and Fairport Convention. She’s one of my fave female artists along with Dusty Springfield and Kate Bush. So sad that she died so young but she still lives on in her songs. 😊

I loved Sandy and her music then. I love Sandy and her music still. Rest in peace Lady & thank you for the music and the memories . ♥️🌹🌹♥️

Love her music. Bushes and Briars really moves me.

Thanks so much for posting

Always to be remembered !

What a lovely tribute . Sadly ,voices like , Sandy's are rare these days . However , here are a few more you may enjoy ; Annie Haslam ( Renaissance ) , Cathy Lesurf ( Fiddlers' Dram) . Madelaine Edith Prior ( Steeleye Span) , and , Jacqueline 'Jacqui' McShee ( Pentangle ) . Sandy also gets a mention in Kate Bush's song , Blow away on her album , Never Forever .

I agree about Whispering Grass. It's always a lovely song but Sandy's version is something else altogether.

As sad as it is, you are seeing yet another example of a victim of the industry she chose to work in. This industry is unique for its attrition rate. It's littered with the corpses of those not strong enough to withstand its many pressures. Far too many to count. If you have a weakness this industry will find it. Condolences to the family. My elder brother was a singer/songwriter who died in 2000 at 50yrs old due to drugs.

These are lovely

I was lucky enough to see Sandy with Fairport on their last tour at the old Coventry theatre.

It's so lovely how you broaden our minds with the people you share your thoughts and knowledge with .this why your show is so unique thanks for sharing

Hello from Dublin. I love your videos and I grew up listening to Sandy Denny. Her voice was transcendent. Keep up the good work 👏

I always enjoyed listening to this song even though many may have overlooked it because of Stairway following. Her name was always a favorite question test for me to pose to others who were "Die Hard" Led Zep fans!

Very interesting, she had a lovely voice. Hoping you find out about Kim too x

Thanks for sharing this video! There used to be a beautiful tree directly behind Sandy's headstone. I was sorry to see that it was cut down (or fell down) some years back, as it cast a nice shade over her grave. It sure would be nice if someone planted a replacement for it.

Another beautiful video. I always feel uplifted even though it includes graveyards 😅

Thank you for visiting the final resting place of this special and tragic lady, imo the finest in her specific idiom that Britain has produced. Many of us still hold a place in our hearts for that magic voice. I share your enthusiasm for her outstanding version of 'Whispering Grass', much overlooked. That gal could sing anything. According to one biographer, she did not actually fall down the stairs. It was assumed so because she was found at their foot, but her injuries were not severe enough. More likely she had simpjy stumbled and struck her head, and as she was home alone, died because medical attention came too late. I've seen quite a few of your well-researched and charming latter-day nutshell obits and enjoy them very much.

Such a beautiful story. I have to admit I had never heard of her, but what a lovely voice. A very tragic story. Did you ever find out about Kim? ❤

Love her music

Being a child of 58 I am also curious about the 19 year old who rests in Putney Cemetery. She was indeed a pretty girl and it is tragic Kim’s life was cut short in some way.

Crazy Lady Blues has me weeping 👊💀🍻🚬

Her voice soared and continues to do so 🌟 ' The Sea ' with Fotheringhay is so very good. And ' Nothing Else Will Do ' is (somehow) joyous,that voice so resonant. Thank you for this visit , yellow roses with the fallen leaves 🍂

Joyous

She had a great voice

Thanks for a wonderful tribute. I never would have found the grave without asking at reception, where a very helpful gentleman gave me diagrams and directions (and I obviously wasn’t the first person to ask - although he was a young man, he knew that she was not buried under her stage name). When we visited, Nick Drake’s resting place, we found his grave in seconds - but this is a different kettle of fish altogether) It’s a huge cemetery, but Sandy’s resting place is right at the back - section V. As you look from the main road, it’s about four rows from the back wall, on a road called coincidently or otherwise, Alexander Road (yes, the cemetery is that big - it has road names!) Sandy is about halfway along there, her stone facing the main road (which is a distance away). You can linger for ages, reading the other headstones - so many tragic stories behind them, looking at the dates (Including the one next to Sandy). Visiting her resting place was a very moving experience for me.

Very interesting and moving in equal measure. I was touched listening to it. So thoughtful of you to put this together. I appreciate these things take time and effort, so a big 'thank you' for doing so. Yes, I'm sure sharing a flower with the lovely Kim would have been fine. Again, so lovely.

So young eh bless her and to leave her nine month old daughter too is so unfair 😞⚘️🙏 ahh that was so lovely of you to leave a rose for a rose ❤️ ❤❤❤

Saw her in Fairport November 1974 in KC, opening for Weather Report.

The truth of how she died is actually even more tragic. After her death her friends revealed that she used to repeatedly get drunk and throw herself down the stairs deliberately. She called it her "party trick". it was assumed that she just did it to show off when she was drunk, but when she was found dead she had been alone. in the weeks leading up to her death she had been experiencing intense headaches that was probably caused by cumulative head trauma from repeatedly throwing herself down flights of stairs. It was a form of self harm or a repeated attempt at suicide.

Very nice ! Thanks for thinking of the young lady whose life was lost way too soon ! Thanks Bob

I've been to M.Monroe's tomb in LA. Just a small cemetery behind a parking garage. Very odd. Filled with dead stars..

I do remember her, she had a lovely voice, how tragic one day off her 20th birthday, these people always seem to taken far to young. I think you were drawn to that girls grave for a reason. x

How tragic. Two lives lost before their time. The girl Kim who died only a day off her 20th birthday and Sandy. Tragic her baby never had her mother to bring her up. I’d love it if you could find out more about Sandy’s baby and more about Kim. I agree. She was stunning. Strange also that her parents aren’t mentioned on the gravestone. A death certificate or birth certificate might fill in some gaps. Maybe looking through news reports at the local library. Maybe something happened to the parents too. Just so sad 😔

I think she had the most beautiful female voice in the genre.

I also find graveyards fascinating. These grand and unusual headstones from hundreds of years ago have a story behind them. Who were these people? I wish I could find the time to investigate.

I watched a Documentary on Sandy Denny some years ago. Her band mates were saying you had a conversation with her and she’d throw herself on the floor. And they’d ask if she was okay and she would reply that’s just what I do. Even throw herself down stairs. No absolutely no reason. Unfortunately her last fall was her last.

Rest in peace

I understand that she was a backup singer for Led Zeppelin in tbe song “Battle of Evermore“.

That was sad.

her appearance makes me think of Janis Joplin whose dutch Edison award I own she couldn't collect the award for apparently suffering from death! the award was stored for decades before being auctioned off alongside Jimi Hendrix's award who couldn't go get his award for the very same reason because of having a condition not fit for travel! since I bought it 3rd hand I wasn't at that auction or I would have bought both since they weren't expensive at about 200 euro's a piece I bought mine at 700 the other member of the 27 club award location and ownership is for the moment unknown. the performance of SD reminds me of Joan Baes so this was a very special lady indeed!

It's so sad when people die young. ❤❤😢

45 years ago today. Jesus.

I wonder if the local paper archives have any info on Kim Bothwell. A long shot, I know... Intriguing that she died so young, and when she did.

Her haunting voice in Led Zeppelin's Battle of Evermore mesmerises me everytime. Wonderful.

Sadly missed..

The Peel session of 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes?' was beyond sublime. May God rest your soul Sandy Denny. Thanks for making these great videos.

Kim was the Daughter of George and Jean Bothwell, Kim was 1 of three children

There was a radio program on ABC Radio, Adelaide (Australia) recently. Georgia, Sandy's daughter was interviewed with another lady (whose name I can't recall) They have put together many of Sandy's unrecorded songs. Apparently very good - just released. My understanding is that they will put a memorial at the Cropredy Folk Festival this year. I imagine that would probably have been in August or thereabouts. Very fitting. Just a bit of trivia. Georgia never met her mother, Sandy, as Trevor took her to Australia as Sandy's behaviour was becoming a real problem. Sandy died very soon after. I think Trevor died in the 80's or 90's. Georgia has become very interested in her mother and has a lot of memorabilia. I think the interview is well worth watching. It is on RU-vid. And yes I am a huge fan of Sandy.

tragic.........but what she left us.

Am I right in thinking her daughter is in Australia now ? Very sad, my favourite song would be who knows where the time goes. Did you know the famous Victorian strongman Eugen Sandow is buried at Putney vale cemetery in an unmarked grave ?

A wonderful voice she had. Have you heard the Phil Lynott tribute song, Sandy?

Loved"I'm a. dreamer"most of my life but just started listening to it again with Bluetooth and sensational headphones.Why is that song so powerful and affecting??I ration my listens so it doesn't become too familiar,you know;one can play out even your favorite songs?I saw"The Lady"on her grave and thought it meant she was aristocratic?We all thought her a lady but I'm sure you can't use the title like that if you ain't the daughter of an Earl etc.love your channel and would enjoy visiting cemeteries with you -im just outside London.Best wishes.RIPSANDYDENNY ❤️❤️❤️

The only woman to sing on a Led Zeppelin album ... The Battle Of Evermore ... Led Zeppelin IV (1971).

I visited her grave in 2017.

4:13 Sandy's mother Edna died 3 years and 2 days after Sandy.

I'll take a boat Down the river my love. And sail away to the sea. Farewell, Farewell, to you. You lonely travelers all.

My heartthrob from my youth. “ who knows where the time goes”?

David only lasted 5 years ! 4:16