In this day and age, when bands burst upon the scene and then disappear again just as quickly, it's nice to know there are some groups that have stayed the course.

One of those bands was responsible for taking folk and redefining it for a new generation, shaking it up and making it accessible to people who wouldn't normally have dreamed of listening to traditional music.

Steeleye Span have even managed a couple of hit albums and singles in the four decades they've been ruling the folk world.

Classically trained violinist Peter Knight first joined the band in 1971 and, apart from a three-year gap at the end of the decade, has been ever-present since. He is pleasantly surprised at the longevity of the band, which will take to the stage at Hull City Hall on Thursday, as part of its 40th anniversary tour

"It's quite amazing. If I'd known it was going to last this long, I'd have looked after myself better," he says, laughing. "I've never looked at music as a career, it's just something I do. I only do music I enjoy and only work with people I like. Obviously, I'm very pleased we're still touring and recording.

"The tour is going very well. We're all having a great time and the audience's response to the set has been fantastic."

Peter hints that the tour will feature old favourites – and maybe even some new material.

"It's a collection of songs we've chosen, a couple of which we haven't yet recorded. It will be a good cross-section of our material," he says.

After the UK tour, the band are set for visits to Australia and the US, before heading back into the studio to record a new album, which they hope will be as influential as their early, era-defining work. But Peter remains modest about the band's influence on those who have followed in their footsteps.

"There have been some changes in folk music and one would like to think our success made the music more accessible," he says. "We've a very strong and faithful audience and there are new generations always coming through."

Fronted by singer Maddy Prior, with Tim Hart on co-lead vocals, Bob Johnson on guitar, Rick Kemp on bass, Peter on violin (and later keyboards), plus, Nigel Pegrum, the band had commercial success in 1973 with the a cappella Christmas hit Gaudete. Albums such as A Parcel Of Rogues and Now We Are Six cemented their success. Then came Commoner's Crown which had Peter Sellers on acoustic ukulele.

"We just phoned him up and asked him to do it," says Peter. "He was delighted to do so and even added some of his voices on at the end."

Steeleye Span play Hull City Hall, Queen Victoria Square, Hull, on Thursday at 7.30pm. Tickets cost from £16.50. Call (01482) 226655.