Richard Thompson — Childhood Home, Totteridge, London

Richard Thompson was born on April 3, 1949 in Notting Hill and grew up in Totteridge, in the northern reaches of the London Borough of Barnet. His father was a detective in the Metropolitan Police and an amateur guitarist who introduced Richard to the instrument early. Thompson studied at William Ellis School in Highgate, where he and Simon Nicol formed the first version of Fairport Convention in 1967, while still teenagers. He is now regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in British music — a player of formidable technical facility who has always paired his skills with dark, literary songwriting.

Thompson left Fairport Convention in 1971 and recorded a series of duet albums with his then-wife Linda, including I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (1974) and Shoot Out the Lights (1982), both of which are considered among the finest British albums of their respective decades. After separating from Linda, he continued as a solo artist and has made over 20 solo albums while maintaining a reputation as one of the most extraordinary live guitarists working. He converted to Sufism in the mid-1970s, a commitment that runs through much of his emotional and spiritual songwriting.

Totteridge is a quiet residential area at the edge of north London, and Thompson's childhood home is a private residence with no formal recognition. He grew up in an environment that gave him access to London's folk and early rock circles, and his career arc — from teenage prodigy in Fairport Convention to elder statesman of British song — has unfolded over more than 55 years. Thompson was awarded a CBE in 2011.