An English bass player, songwriter, vocalist and record producer, best known for his work with the pioneering electric folk band Steeleye Span. He was the husband of Steeleye Span lead vocalist Maddy Prior, but they have since divorced. He is also the father of the musician Rose Kemp.

Kemp has been a member of Steeleye Span for 20 years in total - between 1972 and 1986, and then from 2000 to the present day.

He became noticed in the 1960s through his work with singer-songwriter Michael Chapman, and had a reputation within the music industry as a very strong rock and blues session bassist, before his transition into electric folk.

In 1971, Kemp played with King Crimson, shortly before the band recorded their album, Islands. However, he turned down the opportunity to join them on a full-time basis.

Kemp has played bass on a number of Maddy Prior recordings and was a member the Maddy Prior Band in the 1980s. The 1990 album Happy Families was officially credited to 'Maddy Prior and Rick Kemp'. He also played on albums by former Steeleye Span member Tim Hart in the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1979, Kemp co-founded the record label Plant Life with Steeleye Span drummer Nigel Pegrum. The label was discontinued in 1984.

He has released three solo albums: Escape (1996), Spies (1998), and Codes (2004).

Since 1997, Kemp has been the producer for the ceilidh dance band, Whapweasel, often playing guitar rather than bass.