Norma Waterson: Folk singer dies aged 82

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Renowned singer Norma Waterson - matriarch of the "royal family of British folk music" - has died.

Norma, brother Mike, sister Lal formed The Watersons in the 1960s, achieving critical acclaim for their work.

The 82-year-old, from Hull, had been unable to perform for years due to illness and had been in hospital with pneumonia.

Her daughter, the musician Eliza Carthy, announced her mother's death with "monumental sadness" on Sunday.

Alongside cousin John Harrison the three siblings started to perform at venues around Hull in the 1960s and went on to become a celebrated folk group.

With their traditional songs and close harmonies they were "long considered the royal family of British folk music", according to the New York Times.

The family recently appealed for financial help from fans after their income "dried up" due to the Covid crisis.

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Musician acclaimed for work with siblings and husband Martin Carthy in the Watersons had been suffering from pneumonia.