In 1952 he won the Suggia Prize, which gave him the chance to study in Paris for a year, with the famous cellist Pierre Fournier.
[1] On his return to England, Simpson soon got work both for the Brighton Philharmonic, the London Chamber Orchestra, and as a solo performer.
Simpson also had time for other projects, however, and his playing can be heard on the Beatles' singles "Strawberry Fields Forever".
[2][3] He taught at the Royal Academy of Music, where several of his many pupils took part in memorial tribute concerts in January and February 2008 (see External Links).
[4] Among his active pupils are: Angela East,[5] Benedict Rogerson,[6] Mary Pells,[7] Justin Pearson,[8] Hafliði Hallgrímsson,[9] Robert Ibell,[10] Susan Sheppard,[11] Sebastian Comberti[12][13] and Alasdair Strange.