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Strawbs
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The Strawbs were an English rock band founded in 1964 as the Strawberry Hill Boys.[1] The band started out as a bluegrass group,[1] but eventually moved on to other styles such as folk rock and progressive rock.
Key Information
They are best known for their hit "Part of the Union", which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in February 1973, as well as for "Lay Down", a popular progressive rock hit from the same LP. Strawbs toured with Supertramp in their Crime of the Century tour, doing their own Hero and Heroine tour, which drew musical similarities and themes.
History
[edit]This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2017) |
Folk rock oriented period
[edit]The Strawbs formed in 1964 as the Strawberry Hill Boys while the founder members were at St Mary's Teacher Training College, Strawberry Hill, London. The name was shortened to 'the Strawbs' for a June 1967 concert in which they wanted to display the band name on stage.[1] Their long-time leader and most active songwriter was guitarist and singer Dave Cousins (guitar, dulcimer, banjo, vocals) (born David Joseph Hindson, 7 January 1940, Hounslow, Middlesex). In the early days, Strawbs played with Sandy Denny (later lead singer of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay).[1]
Although they started in the 1960s as a bluegrass band,[1] the band's repertoire shifted to favour their own (mainly Cousins') material. While in Denmark in 1967, the Strawbs (Cousins, Tony Hooper and Ron Chesterman) with Sandy Denny recorded 13 songs for a proposed first album, All Our Own Work.[1] It was apparently not issued in Denmark and the fledgling band could not get a UK record deal. (Meanwhile, Denny left to join Fairport Convention and the album was forgotten until it was issued on Pickwick Hallmark in the UK in the mid-1970s.)
They were the first UK group signing to Herb Alpert's A&M Records and recorded their first single, "Oh How She Changed", in 1968.[2] This was produced and arranged by Gus Dudgeon and Tony Visconti, who also worked on their critically acclaimed first album, Strawbs (1969). Between the first and second A&M albums, in 1969, a sampler, Strawberry Music Sampler No. 1, was recorded. According to the 2001 CD reissue, only 99 copies of the original vinyl LP were pressed.
After the folk-tinged Dragonfly, Cousins and Hooper added Rick Wakeman on keyboards, Richard Hudson on drums, and John Ford on bass.[1] The new line-up had their London debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, where they recorded their third album, Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios;[1] the Melody Maker reported on the concert with the headline "Tomorrow's superstar" in reference to Wakeman.[3][4] Wakeman stayed with them for one further album, From the Witchwood, then departed to join Yes,[1] remarking to the press that "I'm sure we'll all benefit from the split because we were beginning to compromise a lot on ideas – like we'd use half of my ideas and half of theirs – and I don't think it was helping what was eventually coming out. We ended up lacking challenge. Complacency set in, and for the last couple of months we just weren't working."[5]
He was replaced by Blue Weaver, who had previously been with Amen Corner and Fair Weather.[1] This line-up produced what many feel to be the archetypal Strawbs album Grave New World, before yet another change, the departure of founding member Hooper, who was replaced by electric guitarist Dave Lambert, formerly of Fire and the King Earl Boogie Band.[1]
Progressive rock oriented period and split
[edit]Lambert's arrival in 1972 coincided with a move towards a harder rock style on the next album, Bursting at the Seams. The first single from the album with Lambert on board, "Lay Down," hit the UK Singles Chart at number 12, followed by a further single from the album, "Part of the Union," which went up to number 2.[1] The album also reached number 2 in the UK Albums Chart and the band undertook a 52-date UK tour to packed houses. The harder rock style was also evidenced by Cousins' solo album, Two Weeks Last Summer,[6] recorded that summer, with guests such as Roger Glover from Deep Purple and Jon Hiseman from Colosseum.
Following a US tour, the group split, with Hudson and Ford deciding to record their own material, firstly as Hudson Ford, later as The Monks and High Society.[7] Weaver also left the band, eventually finding a gig with the Bee Gees; he also played with Mott the Hoople.[citation needed]
Cousins and Lambert rebuilt the band, adding John Hawken (formerly of the Nashville Teens and Renaissance) on keyboards, Rod Coombes formerly with Stealers Wheel and Chas Cronk on bass. This line-up recorded the 1974 Hero and Heroine and Ghosts, and tended to concentrate on the North American market with relatively little touring in the UK.[1] Strawbs still retain a fan base today in the US and Canada. Hero And Heroine went platinum in Canada, and both albums sold extremely well in the US too. A further album, Nomadness, recorded without Hawken, was less successful, and was their last for A&M Records.
In a review in Rolling Stone in 1974, Ken Barnes wrote: "Strawbs moved from folkier days to a lush, stately and mellotron-dominated sound, with similarities to Yes, King Crimson and the Moody Blues. They wrote more compelling songs than the former two, and possessed more lyrical/musical substance than the latter."[8]
Signed to the Deep Purple–owned Oyster label, they recorded two more albums with two keyboardists replacing Hawken – Robert Kirby, also known for his string arrangements (notably Nick Drake) and John Mealing of jazz-rock group If. Coombes was replaced by Tony Fernandez (known for working on Rick Wakeman's solo albums) for a further album, Deadlines, this time on the Arista label. Although recording was complete on a further album, Heartbreak Hill, featuring Andy Richards on keyboards, Cousins' decision in 1980 to leave the band to work in radio effectively signalled the band's demise, and the album remained in the vaults for many years.
Re-formation
[edit]A reunion on Rick Wakeman's TV show Gas Tank in 1983 resulted in an invitation to re-form to headline 1983's Cambridge Folk Festival. The Grave New World line-up plus Brian Willoughby (who had replaced Lambert when he left in 1978 during the making of Heartbreak Hill, and had also begun a partnership with Dave Cousins as an acoustic duo from 1979 onwards) went on from there to perform occasionally in the UK, the US and Europe over the next few years, replacing Weaver with Chris Parren from the Hudson Ford band and Ford himself (when he relocated to the US) with bass player Rod Demick.
1993 saw the band touring in the UK for their 25th anniversary, but the next few years saw little activity. In the summer of 1998 Cousins staged a 30th-anniversary event in Chiswick Park in London, which saw several different line-ups of the band perform. The final of these – the Bursting at the Seams line-up plus Willoughby – became the ongoing version of the band, with annual tours in subsequent years.
Acoustic Strawbs and beyond
[edit]An injury to Cousins' wrist coinciding with a Cousins & Willoughby commitment brought Dave Lambert in to work with Cousins & Willoughby, which soon became Acoustic Strawbs, recording an album, Baroque & Roll, in 2001. That trio began to tour on a regular basis – first in the UK, then the US and Canada, and on into Europe, the three guitars of Acoustic Strawbs effortlessly reproducing much of the majesty and depth of the "big" Strawbs keyboard-laden instrumentation.
Willoughby was replaced by Chas Cronk when Willoughby left in 2004 to spend more time working with his partner, Cathryn Craig. Cronk has brought bass and bass pedals, which further add to the depth of the Acoustic Strawbs sound. 2004 also saw the return of the Hero And Heroine line-up of the electric band, touring in tandem with the acoustic line-up, and recording their first new album for 25 years, Deja Fou, on the Strawbs' own label, Witchwood Records.
Spin-off bands
[edit]In 1973, Hudson and Ford quit to form Hudson Ford, with the line-up of Chris Parren (keyboards), Mickey Keen (guitar and sound engineer), and Ken Laws (drums). They produced four albums, three for A&M (Nickelodeon, Free Spirit, Worlds Collide) and a fourth for CBS (Daylight). They also had hit singles with "Pick Up the Pieces" and "Burn Baby Burn", and toured extensively in the UK, the US and Canada.
Switching genres in the late '70s, Hudson, Ford and Terry Cassidy combined with Clive Pearce on drums (Hudson was then playing guitar, having switched from drums) to produce the punk-flavoured 1979 album, Bad Habits, as the Monks (not to be confused with the 1960s garage/beat group of the same name). The album spawned a number 19 hit in the UK singles chart, "Nice Legs, Shame About the Face", which featured a mildly risquė cover. They dabbled with 1930s-style music in 1980 as High Society before returning to the pseudo-punk format of the Monks for a follow-up album released in Canada only, Suspended Animation, with the addition of Brian Willoughby on guitar and Chris Parren on keyboards.
While the album failed to produce further UK chart success, the band were huge in Canada particularly, playing stadium gigs; Suspended Animation went platinum in Canada too. The CD re-release of Suspended Animation includes six bonus tracks, recorded for a third album but never before released, by Hudson, Ford and Cassidy — Huw Gower guests on one track on lead guitar.
2006 onwards
[edit]This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2019) |
Since 2006, the Strawbs have been recording and touring in two formats: the acoustic format with Cousins, Lambert and Cronk; and the entirely original Hero and Heroine/Ghosts line-up of the electric band from 1974: Cousins, Lambert, Cronk, Coombes and Hawken. The line-up undertook two tours in 2006.
For that particular recording, and other concerts on the same tour, vocalist and bass player John Ford (member of an earlier Strawbs line-up) flew over from New York to perform with members of the Hero and Heroine line-up. The Hero and Heroine line-up toured again in 2007 in the UK, including gigs at the Robin 2 (Bilston), The Stables (Wavendon), and several locations in Southern and Southwestern England. This line-up also toured the UK and US in May–June 2008. Following the US tour, John Hawken announced his intention to leave the group. The remaining four members (the Nomadness line-up) continued as the core of the electric band. In January 2009, it was announced that Oliver Wakeman would be playing keyboards with the band on tours of Canada, the UK and Italy.
In 2006, the Strawbs released a four-disc boxed set called A Taste of Strawbs. The Hero and Heroine/Ghosts line-up recorded a new studio album, The Broken Hearted Bride, released in September 2008.
Dave Cousins recorded a new solo album, The Boy in the Sailor Suit, with The Blue Angel Orchestra. In 2008, he released his third solo album, Secret Paths, with steel guitarist Melvin Duffy. Along with the album, he toured the US in spring 2008 (joined by Ian Cutler for the early part of the tour). A concert album from this tour, entitled Duochrome, was released in September 2008.
Lambert Cronk also released an album in April 2007 entitled Touch the Earth, on which former Strawbs drummer Tony Fernandez and former Strawbs keyboard player Andy Richards both play. The Strawbs' website announced that neither Rod Coombes nor Oliver Wakeman were available for the October/November 2010 tours of Canada and the UK. (Coombes has educational commitments, and Wakeman was committed to recording a new Yes album.) For these tours, Tony Fernandez (who played with Strawbs on Deadlines and Heartbreak Hill) was employed on drums, and John Young on keyboards.
The November 2012 tour featured a line-up of Cousins, Lambert, Cronk, Adam Wakeman and Adam Falkner. In February 2014 the band gigged with a line-up of Cousins, Lambert, Cronk, Wakeman and Fernandez. Their album Prognostic was issued in October 2014.[9]
In 2017, the band released The Ferryman's Curse with a line-up of Cousins, Lambert, Cronk, Fernandez and Dave Bainbridge.
The band toured the US in 2019 as part of their 50th-anniversary celebration. The tour included a three-day event in Lakewood, New Jersey, featuring former members along with special guests/friends appearing (Annie Haslam, Larry Fast, Tony Visconti, Wesley Stace, and others).[10]
The band released Settlement on 26 February 2021.[11]
On 14 July 2023, the Strawbs released a new album, The Magic Of It All, recorded in Cape Town in 2022. It features David Cousins, Blue Weaver and John Ford.
South African documentary filmmaker Niel van Deventer approached singer David Cousins with the idea of producing a documentary about the Strawbs and the group's influence around the world. Niel wanted to film while new songs were being recorded at a studio in Cape Town. David Cousins came with a bunch of his best songs, keyboardist and producer Blue Weaver flew to Cape Town to produce the sessions and co-write some of the songs, while John Ford joined to collaborate on the songs from a studio in New York.
The Magic Of It All album was released simultaneously on vinyl, CD and download via Cherry Red on 14 July. The documentary The Magic Of It All will be released later.
On 11 August 2023, the Strawbs gave their final live show and farewell gig at Fairport's Cropredy Convention 2023.[12]
Dave Cousins died at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury, on 13 July 2025, at the age of 85.[13]
Members throughout the years
[edit]Official band musicians
[edit]- David Cousins – vocals, guitars, mandolin, dulcimer, banjo (died 2025)
- Tony Hooper – guitar, vocals (died 2020)
- Ron Chesterman – double bass (died 2007)
- Sandy Denny – vocals, guitar (died 1978)
- Rick Wakeman – piano, Hammond organ, harpsichord, clavinet, mellotron
- Lindsay L. Cooper – cello, double bass (died 2001)
- Claire Deniz – cello
- Dave Lambert – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals
- John Ford – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
- Blue Weaver – keyboards, Accordion
- Richard Hudson – Drums, sitar, vocals
- Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals
- John Hawken – keyboards (died 2024)
- Rod Coombes – drums, guitar, vocals
- Robert Kirby – keyboards, acoustic guitar, string arrangements
- John Mealing – organ, electric piano, piano, synthesizers
- Rupert Holmes – harpsichord, piano, clavinet
- Tony Fernandez – drums
- Miller Anderson – guitars, vocals
- Brian Willoughby – guitars, vocals
- Chris Parren – keyboards
- Rod Demick – bass, vocals
- Andy Richards – keyboards
- Adam Wakeman – keyboards
- Oliver Wakeman – keyboards
- John Young – keyboards
- Joe Partridge – lead guitar
- Dave Bainbridge – keyboards
Last album members
Current members
- Dave Lambert – lead guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals (1972–1978, 1999–2001, 2004–present)
- Chas Cronk – bass, acoustic guitar, vocals (1973–1980, 2004–present)
- Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion (1977–1980, 2010–2012, 2014–present)
- Dave Bainbridge – keyboards, programming, guitar, bouzouki (2015–present)
Acoustic Strawbs
- Current members:
- Dave Lambert – acoustic guitar, vocals (2000–present)
- Chas Cronk – bass, acoustic guitar, vocals (2004–present)
- Former member:
- Brian Willoughby – acoustic guitar (2000–2004)
- Dave Cousins – vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo, dulcimer (2000–2025)
Discography
[edit]- Strawbs (1969)
- Dragonfly (1970)
- Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios (partially recorded live) (1970)
- From the Witchwood (1971)
- Grave New World (1972)
- Bursting at the Seams (1973)
- All Our Own Work (1973; recorded 1967) - With Sandy Denny
- Hero and Heroine (1974)
- Ghosts (1975)
- Nomadness (1975)
- Deep Cuts (1976)
- Burning for You (1977)
- Deadlines (1978)
- Don't Say Goodbye (1987)
- Ringing Down the Years (1991)
- Heartbreak Hill (1995)
- Baroque & Roll (2001)
- Strawberry Sampler Number 1 (2001; recorded 1969)
- 30 Years in Rock (2001; Issued with "Wondrous Stories" magazine)
- Blue Angel (2003)
- Déjà Fou (2004)
- Live at Nearfest (2006)
- The Broken Hearted Bride (2008)
- Dancing to the Devil's Beat (2009)
- Hero & Heroine in Ascencia (2011)
- Prognostic (2014)
- The Ferryman's Curse (2017)
- Live in Concert CD / DVD (2020)
- Best of The Strawbs - Live in Concert Vinyl (2020)
- Settlement (2021)
- The Magic Of It All (2023) Vinyl / CD
Filmography
[edit]- Grave New World (1973)
- Shot on videotape and comprising videos of most of the songs from the album of the same name, this had a limited theatrical release supporting the video of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Pictures at an Exhibition. The film, considered ahead of its time as an early music video, is paired with the Strawbs Live in Tokyo 75 DVD.
- Complete Strawbs: The Chiswick House Concert (2002)
- Strawbs Live in Tokyo 75 DVD, plus Grave New World, the movie (2003)
- Acoustic Strawbs Live in Toronto (2004)
- Acoustic Strawbs – Live At Hampton Court Palace (2009)
- Strawbs Live in Gettysburg: Rites of Spring Festival (2016)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 1145/6. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ "The Strawbs official home page". StrawbsWeb. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
- ^ Will Romano (1 September 2010). Mountains Come Out of the Sky: The Illustrated History of Prog Rock. Backbeat Books. ISBN 9781617133756.
- ^ "PART 2: ELECTRIC BAND". strawbsweb.co.uk.
- ^ Valentine, Penny (28 August 1971). "Just Another Yes Man...". Sounds. Spotlight Publications. p. 7.
- ^ "Dave Cousins - Two Weeks Last Summer". Discogs.com. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ Johnson, James (4 August 1973), "When Strawbs burst at the seams", New Musical Express: 21
- ^ "Strawbs Prognostic". Spincds.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- ^ "Albums – Prognostic". Strawbsweb.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- ^ "UK Music Legends Strawbs Back in the USA for 50th Anniversary, and 3 Day Celebration in Lakewood, NJ – April 26, 27 & 28 and Tour". Musicnewsnet.com.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (12 May 2021). "Strawbs make a strong statement with "Settlement"". Goldminemag.com. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Strawbs Setlist at Fairport's Cropredy Convention 2023". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Strawbs founder, singer and guitarist Dave Cousins has died, aged 85". Louder Than Sound. 13 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official website

- Strawbs discography at Discogs
- Article at progarchives.com
- Strawbs at IMDb
- Dave Cousins at International Songwriters Association
Strawbs
View on GrokipediaHistory
Formation and early years
The Strawbs originated in the early 1960s when Dave Cousins and Tony Hooper, schoolmates from Twickenham in West London, began performing together in informal groups such as the Gin Bottle Four. By the mid-1960s, they had formed the Strawberry Hill Boys, a bluegrass trio inspired by American acts like the Rocky Mountain Boys, with Cousins on banjo and guitar, Hooper on guitar and vocals, and additional members including double-bassist John Berry and mandolinist Arthur Phillips.[4][5][6] The group focused on close-harmony renditions of traditional folk and bluegrass material, rehearsing in the Strawberry Hill area and quickly establishing themselves on London's vibrant folk circuit.[4][6] In 1967, the band shortened their name to the Strawbs to reflect a shift toward original compositions and a broader folk-rock sound, moving away from strict bluegrass confines.[5][6] Ron Chesterman joined as double bassist that year, solidifying the acoustic lineup, while the group gained exposure through BBC Radio appearances, including on Saturday Club alongside emerging acts like the Beatles.[6] A pivotal moment came when singer Sandy Denny, spotted at a Troubadour club gig, briefly joined the Strawbs; in December 1967, they traveled to Copenhagen to record 13 tracks for the Danish label Sonet, resulting in the album All Our Own Work, which featured originals like "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" but remained unreleased until 1973.[4][6] Denny departed shortly after for Fairport Convention following a performance at the Hull Folk Festival.[6] By 1968, the Strawbs had attracted interest from A&M Records through a connection with a Danish DJ who played their demo tapes, leading to their first single, "Oh How She Lies," produced by Gus Dudgeon and arranged by Tony Visconti.[5][6] This marked their transition to professional recording, though initial UK chart success eluded them. In May 1969, they released their self-titled debut album on A&M, featuring guest contributions from John Paul Jones and Nicky Hopkins, which blended folk traditions with emerging rock elements.[6] The early 1970s saw further evolution, with keyboardist Rick Wakeman joining in March 1970 for the Dragonfly album, and drummers Richard Hudson and John Ford integrating into the lineup by late that year for Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios, signaling the band's move toward electric instrumentation and progressive influences.[4][6]Breakthrough and classic era
The breakthrough for Strawbs occurred in 1970 with the addition of key members, building on their established association with A&M Records since their 1969 debut. This period saw the addition of keyboardist Rick Wakeman in March 1970, who contributed to their growing symphonic elements, alongside the recruitment of drummer Richard Hudson and bassist John Ford in May, forming a core lineup with leader Dave Cousins and guitarist Tony Hooper. Their first A&M album, From the Witchwood (1971), introduced richer arrangements and received critical acclaim for tracks like "Beneath the Darkness," setting the stage for commercial expansion.[4] The 1972 release of Grave New World solidified their breakthrough, peaking at number 11 on the UK Albums Chart for 15 weeks and entering the US Billboard 200. Featuring Wakeman's final contributions before his departure to Yes in July 1971, the album blended folk introspection with progressive flourishes, highlighted by Cousins' "Benedictus" and Ford's "Heavy Disguise." Tony Hooper's exit later that year, due to discomfort with the band's rockward trajectory, prompted Dave Lambert's addition in September 1972, ushering in a more electric phase. The band toured extensively in North America and Europe, building a dedicated following amid the progressive rock boom.[7][8] Commercial peak arrived with Bursting at the Seams in January 1973, which reached number 2 on the UK Albums Chart for 12 weeks and charted at number 121 in the US. Recorded with Blue Weaver on keyboards, the album captured the band's hybrid folk-prog energy through hits like "Lay Down" (UK Singles number 12, 12 weeks) and "Part of the Union" (UK Singles number 2, 11 weeks), the latter co-written by Hudson and Ford and resonating with the era's labor movements. Internal tensions, including a management split against Cousins' wishes, led to Hudson and Ford's departure in 1973 to form Hudson-Ford. The reformed lineup—featuring Lambert, new bassist Chas Cronk, keyboardist John Hawken, and drummer Rod Coombes—delivered Hero and Heroine (1974), peaking at number 35 in the UK and number 94 in the US, with its ambitious concept structure and tracks like "Autumn" emphasizing darker, more experimental prog themes.[9][10][11][4] The classic era culminated in Ghosts (1975), the band's highest US charting album at number 47 on the Billboard 200, alongside a Canadian peak of number 12. This release refined the quintet's sound with gothic and symphonic layers, as in the title suite, while extensive tours of North America and Japan expanded their international profile. Though UK sales waned, the period from 1970 to 1975 established Strawbs as a pivotal force in British progressive folk rock, influencing peers with their genre-blending innovation and Cousins' poetic songwriting.[12][4]Hiatus and reformation
Following the departure of guitarist Dave Lambert in 1978 due to conflicting solo commitments, Strawbs faced significant challenges, including management collapse and lack of support from their label Arista, despite recording the album Heartbreak Hill that year.[13] The band briefly reformed in autumn 1979 for a festival appearance in Portrush, Northern Ireland, with Brian Willoughby replacing Lambert on guitar, and undertook a 13-date tour in February 1980.[13] However, in July 1980, frontman Dave Cousins announced his exit to pursue a career in local radio, rendering the band unsustainable without him after just two additional gigs, leading to an official hiatus.[13] The hiatus lasted until 1983, during which Cousins collaborated on solo projects with Willoughby, maintaining a loose creative partnership.[14] Reformation began that year when Cousins appeared on Rick Wakeman's TV show Gas Tank, reuniting with Tony Hooper on guitar and vocals, Richard Hudson on drums, John Ford on bass, and host Rick Wakeman on keyboards for a performance of "The Hangman and the Papist."[15] This sparked an invitation to headline the Cambridge Folk Festival, prompting rehearsals and a decision to tour sporadically; the initial reformed lineup featured Cousins, Hooper, Hudson, Ford, Blue Weaver on keyboards, and Willoughby on lead guitar, evoking the Grave New World era sound.[15][14] Subsequent years saw lineup adjustments and international activity: Weaver was replaced by Chris Parren on keyboards for US tours in 1984–1985, and Ford departed in 1985, with Rod Demick taking over bass.[15] The band toured Scandinavia and the US in 1986–1987, culminating in the release of Don't Say Goodbye in 1987 on the group's own label, featuring re-recorded classics like "Something or Nothing" alongside new material.[15] This period marked a return to progressive folk rock roots, with Willoughby remaining a core member until 2004.[14]Acoustic phase and revival
Following the band's reformation in the late 1990s, Strawbs entered an acoustic-focused phase in late 2000, initially as a duo comprising founder Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby, who adapted their performances to an unplugged format after Cousins suffered a wrist injury that limited his guitar playing.[16][17] This setup evolved into the trio known as Acoustic Strawbs when longtime member Dave Lambert joined to handle additional guitar duties, debuting at a rescue gig in Twickenham and formally launching with their first show on August 16, 2001, at the White Bear in Hounslow, England.[17] The Acoustic Strawbs quickly established a rigorous touring schedule, emphasizing the band's folk roots with intimate arrangements of their catalog alongside new material. In 2001, they released their debut album Baroque & Roll on the band's newly formed Witchwood Records label, which captured live energy from early performances and included tracks like "Alice's Song," a single issued in 2002 to support the National Autistic Society.[17][18] Touring intensified in 2002 with approximately 50 dates across the UK, plus appearances in Italy and at festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe, where they played three nights in August.[17] International expansion followed, including a U.S. and Canada tour in April-May 2003—despite challenges like the SARS outbreak in Toronto—and a six-week U.S. tour in November-December 2003, alongside UK legs in June, September 2003, and January-February 2004.[17] A live DVD, Live in Toronto, was recorded at Hugh's Room during the 2003 visit and released in 2004.[17] By 2004, the acoustic lineup underwent a change as Willoughby departed, replaced by Chas Cronk on bass and vocals, forming a new Acoustic Strawbs trio of Cousins, Lambert, and Cronk that continued touring in the UK (September 2004), U.S./Canada (October-November 2004 and 2005), and Europe (Spain, Holland, Norway in 2007).[19] This period also saw the release of Painted Sky in 2005, further showcasing their stripped-down sound.[19] Parallel to the acoustic efforts, the band revived its electric format in 2004, reforming the classic Hero and Heroine-era lineup with Cronk, John Hawken, and Rod Coombes for tours in North America (June-July 2004, 2006, 2007) and the UK (2004-2007), including a performance at the Cropredy Festival in August 2007.[19] The electric revival produced Déjà Fou in August 2004 and supported archival releases like the boxed set A Taste of Strawbs in October 2006.[19] This dual-format approach—acoustic trio and electric band—became a hallmark of Strawbs' revival from the mid-2000s onward, allowing them to honor their progressive folk heritage while reaching new audiences. The 40th anniversary celebrations in September 2009 at Twickenham Stadium's Live Room featured both configurations, including rare reunions like the Heartbreak Hill lineup and a Dave Cousins-Rick Wakeman duo, with footage captured for a planned DVD.[20] Acoustic tours persisted, such as U.S. dates in 2009 (with Van der Graaf Generator) and 2010, and UK runs in 2011, while electric outings included full-album performances of Hero and Heroine and collaborations with Oliver Wakeman.[20] New studio work, like Dancing to the Devil's Beat (2009) and Hero and Heroine in Ascencia (2011), underscored the band's enduring creativity across formats.[20]Recent activities
In the early 2020s, the Strawbs continued their acoustic-oriented phase with a focus on live performances and archival releases. The band performed at the Cropredy Festival in August 2023, marking David Cousins' final appearance with the group in a full Strawbs lineup.[3] That same year, they released their studio album The Magic of It All on July 14 via Cherry Red Records, a reflective collection celebrating their 50th anniversary that reached No. 7 on the UK Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart and No. 16 on the Independent Albums Chart.[21] The album featured contributions from core members including Cousins, alongside guests like Cathryn Craig, emphasizing the band's enduring folk-rock legacy.[22] In 2024, activity shifted toward tributes and collaborations. Cousins made his last public performance as a guest artist at a Rick Wakeman concert at Trading Boundaries in East Sussex, performing select Strawbs material.[3] The band also contributed to the Sandy Denny Archive Project, initiated in 2023 to preserve the legacy of the late Fairport Convention singer who had guested on early Strawbs recordings; an exhibition took place from August 7-10, 2025, at the Brasenose Arms in Cropredy.[3][23] Additionally, a compilation No Shame featuring Monks-related tracks from the band's catalog was issued on September 15, 2023, by Cherry Red Records, highlighting lesser-known material.[3] The year 2025 brought significant milestones and a profound loss. On June 9, the band released Magic from the Moon as a Blu-ray, documenting their 2009 40th-anniversary acoustic-symphonic concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, conducted by Tony Visconti and featuring a 50-piece orchestra.[24] This archival project underscored the Strawbs' commitment to documenting their progressive folk heritage. However, on July 13, founding member and longtime leader David Cousins died at age 85 in hospice care in Canterbury, UK, after a battle with illness; his passing was announced via the band's official channels and widely mourned in the music community, with tributes from collaborators like Rick Wakeman.[1][25] Cousins' funeral was held on August 6 at Hawkinge Crematorium in Kent, streamed online.[3] As of November 2025, no further band activities or tours have been announced, leaving the future of the Strawbs uncertain.[26]Band members
Founding and core members
The Strawbs originated from the Strawberry Hill Boys, a bluegrass-inspired trio co-founded in late 1963 by Dave Cousins and Tony Hooper, who had met as schoolboys in West London and previously played in informal groups like the Gin Bottle Four; they were joined by mandolinist Arthur Phillips, with Phillips leaving in 1964 and double bassist John Berry (known for talking blues) joining until 1965, before Ron Chesterman took over on double bass in 1966. The group was renamed the Strawbs in June 1967.[4][6][27] This core lineup—Cousins, Hooper, and Chesterman—recorded the band's debut single, "Oh How She Changed," in 1968, marking their shift from acoustic folk to a broader rock sound.[1] Dave Cousins served as the band's continuous leader, primary songwriter, and frontman from its inception until his death in July 2025, providing the creative backbone through decades of lineup changes.[4][1] Tony Hooper, a founding guitarist and harmony vocalist, remained integral until late 1972, contributing to the early folk-rock identity before departing; he rejoined periodically from 1983 to 1993.[4][28] Ron Chesterman, the original bassist from 1966, anchored the rhythm section through the late 1960s, appearing on the first two albums before leaving in 1970.[4][1] Among the core members who shaped the band's progressive era, Dave Lambert joined as lead guitarist in late 1972 and became a mainstay, handling vocals and contributing to the classic lineup until 1978, with returns in 1999–2001 and 2004 onward.[4] Chas Cronk, bass guitarist and vocalist, entered in autumn 1973 and remained a key collaborator for over 50 years, co-writing material and stabilizing the rhythm section through reunions and tours.[4] Drummer Tony Fernandez, though not a founder, emerged as a core figure from 1977, providing percussion for the band's later periods and continuing into revival phases until his death on 18 November 2020.[4] These members, alongside Cousins, defined the Strawbs' enduring sound, blending folk roots with rock experimentation across multiple incarnations.[4]Timeline of lineups
The Strawbs' lineup evolved significantly from their acoustic folk origins in the early 1960s to progressive rock configurations in the 1970s, followed by periods of hiatus, reformation, and acoustic revivals. Core members Dave Cousins (vocals, guitar) and Tony Hooper (guitar, vocals) anchored the band through its initial phases, with frequent changes driven by shifts in musical direction and commercial pressures.[4] Subsequent lineups incorporated session musicians and full-time additions, reflecting the band's transition from bluegrass to electric progressive folk rock.[29] Key lineup changes are outlined below in chronological periods, highlighting primary touring and recording members. This timeline focuses on stable configurations rather than every session contributor.| Period | Core Lineup | Key Notes and Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1963–1965 | Dave Cousins (vocals, guitar, banjo, dulcimer), Tony Hooper (guitar, autoharp, vocals), Arthur Phillips (mandolin, 1963–1964); John Berry (double bass, 1964–1965) | Formed as the Strawberry Hill Boys, an acoustic bluegrass trio playing folk clubs. Phillips left in 1964; Berry joined for about a year.[4][29][27] |
| 1966–1967 | Cousins, Hooper, Ron Chesterman (double bass) | Chesterman joined in 1966; renamed Strawbs in June 1967.[4][29][27] |
| 1968–1969 | Cousins, Hooper, Chesterman; occasional additions like Sandy Denny (vocals, 1967) and Claire Deniz (cello, 1969) | Shift to folk rock; recorded All Our Own Work (released 1973) with Denny. Deniz contributed briefly to live sets.[4][29] |
| 1970–early 1971 | Cousins, Hooper, Chesterman, Rick Wakeman (keyboards), John Ford (bass, vocals), Richard Hudson (drums, vocals); Lyndsay Cooper (oboe, 1970) | Electric expansion with Wakeman (joined April 1970), Ford, and Hudson from Velvet Opera. Released Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios. Wakeman left mid-1971 for Yes. Chesterman left in 1970.[28][29] |
| 1971–1972 | Cousins, Hooper, Ford, Hudson, Blue Weaver (keyboards, joined August 1971) | Weaver replaced Wakeman. Recorded From the Witchwood (1971) and Grave New World (1972). Hooper departed late 1972; Dave Lambert (guitar, vocals) joined late 1972.[28][29] |
| 1972–1973 | Cousins, Lambert, Ford, Hudson, Weaver | Classic progressive era; hits like "Part of the Union" and Bursting at the Seams (UK #2). Ford and Hudson left in 1973 to form Hudson-Ford; Weaver departed shortly after.[28][29] |
| 1973–1975 | Cousins, Lambert, Chas Cronk (bass, vocals, joined 1973), Rod Coombes (drums, vocals, joined 1973), John Hawken (keyboards, 1973–1975) | Reformed for Hero and Heroine (1974) and Ghosts (1975). Hawken left post-1975; session keyboards by Robert Kirby and John Mealing in 1975. Internal tensions led to 1973 split and 1975 pause.[13][29] |
| 1976–1980 | Cousins, Lambert, Cronk, Coombes (until 1978), Tony Fernandez (drums, from 1977); session/rotating keyboards (e.g., Andy Richards 1978–1980) | Released Nomadness (1976), Deadlines (1978), and Heartbreak Hill (1980). Cousins resigned in 1980, leading to brief replacement by Roy Hill for two gigs; band entered hiatus.[13] |
| 1983–1993 | Cousins, Hooper (returned 1983), Brian Willoughby (guitar, from 1979 duo phase), various bass/drums (e.g., Rod Demick bass 1987, Chris Parren keyboards 1987) | Acoustic reformation at 1983 Cambridge Folk Festival; electric tours resumed. Hooper left again in 1993. Released albums like Preserves Uncanned (1991). Don Airey (keyboards) joined 1993 tour.[4][13] |
| 1998–2004 | Cousins, Lambert, Cronk, Fernandez (drums, from 1997); Willoughby (until 2004), John Ford (occasional returns) | 30th-anniversary revival with regular tours. Released The Strawbs Live at Nearfest (2004). Weaver and Hudson guest appearances. "Hero and Heroine" lineup toured in 2004.[4][13] |
| 2005–2016 | Cousins, Cronk, Fernandez, Lambert (intermittent); rotating guitars/keyboards (e.g., Oliver Wakeman keyboards 2009–2017, Dave Bainbridge guitar from 2010) | Acoustic Strawbs trio (Cousins, Cronk, Willoughby until 2017). Electric tours with Wakeman; released The Broken Hearted Bride (2007) and Dancing to the Masque (2013). Ford and Hudson occasional guests.[4][13] |
| 2017–2023 | Cousins, Cronk, Fernandez (until 2020), Bainbridge; guests like Weaver, Ford, Hudson | Released The Ferryman's Curse (2017) and Settlement (2021). 50th-anniversary events in 2019 with past members (e.g., Weaver, Willoughby). Final album The Magic of It All (2023) featured Cousins, Weaver, Ford. Farewell performance August 11, 2023.[4][30] |
| 2024–present | Disbanded following Dave Cousins' death on July 13, 2025 | No active lineup; legacy preserved through archives and tributes. Cronk and Lambert continue related projects.[3] |
Musical style and influences
Folk rock foundations
The Strawbs originated in the mid-1960s London folk scene, emerging from the Strawberry Hill Boys, an acoustic bluegrass trio formed in 1963 by Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper, and Arthur Phillips.[1] The group debuted on BBC radio and drew initial inspiration from American bluegrass artists like Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, as Cousins learned banjo to emulate their style, while also incorporating skiffle influences from Lonnie Donegan.[1] This foundation in traditional folk and bluegrass laid the groundwork for their folk rock sound, characterized by Cousins' haunting compositions, unique guitar tunings such as Open D and Open E, and close vocal harmonies between Cousins and Hooper.[4][31] By late 1967, the band evolved into the Strawbs, shifting from pure acoustic folk toward an electrified folk rock approach while retaining roots in British and American folk traditions. Cousins cited profound influences from Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Ewan MacColl, and Peggy Seeger, which informed the lyrical depth and narrative style of early songs, alongside the folk rock innovations of Bob Dylan and the Byrds.[1] A pivotal early collaboration came with singer Sandy Denny, who joined briefly in 1967 for sessions in Copenhagen, resulting in the album All Our Own Work (recorded 1967, released 1973), which blended soft folk arrangements with emerging rock elements and showcased Denny's ethereal vocals on tracks like "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?"[4] The core early lineup included Cousins on guitar, banjo, and dulcimer; Hooper on guitar and vocals; and Ron Chesterman on bass, emphasizing acoustic instrumentation rooted in the 1960s folk revival.[4] The band's folk rock foundations solidified with their self-titled debut album in 1969, featuring original material like "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus," which highlighted Cousins' poetic songwriting and the group's harmonious blend of folk melodies with subtle rock dynamics.[1] This era marked a transition toward amplification, influenced by the broader British folk movement, as the Strawbs performed at venues like Les Cousins club in Soho, a hub for emerging folk talents.[31] Their sound incorporated dulcimer and banjo for a distinctive texture, drawing from Cousins' folk club experiences and setting the stage for progressive explorations while preserving an authentic English folk essence.[4][31]Progressive and experimental phases
The Strawbs' progressive and experimental phases, spanning roughly 1970 to 1975, marked a significant evolution from their folk-rock roots into symphonic and conceptual prog rock, characterized by ambitious compositions, intricate instrumentation, and thematic depth. This period began with the band's electrification and the recruitment of classically trained keyboardist Rick Wakeman in April 1970, forming a five-piece lineup alongside Dave Cousins (vocals, guitar), Tony Hooper (guitar), John Ford (bass), and Richard Hudson (drums). Wakeman's improvisational prowess on keyboards introduced a layer of virtuosity and experimentation, blending folk melodies with rock dynamics and classical flourishes. Their debut in this configuration came at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on July 11, 1970, where they performed material later captured on the live album Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios, released in August and peaking at UK No. 27. The album showcased a hybrid style, with tracks like "Temperament of an Angel Born in May" featuring Wakeman's extended solos and medieval-inspired arrangements, earning praise from Melody Maker for heralding Wakeman as "tomorrow's superstar."[28] In 1971, the band deepened their progressive leanings with From the Witchwood, released in June and reaching UK No. 39, which incorporated multimedia elements during live performances, such as films projected at the Shaw Theatre, to enhance the narrative of songs like the conceptual suite "The Hangman and the Papist." Wakeman departed later that year to join Yes, replaced by Blue Weaver, but the album's experimental edge persisted through layered acoustics and electric contrasts, signaling a shift toward more structured prog narratives. The following year, Grave New World (1972) further embraced symphonic prog with its conceptual exploration of dystopian themes, entering the US Billboard charts and featuring the hit single "Lay Down" (UK No. 12). Lineup changes included Tony Hooper's departure and Dave Lambert's addition on guitar, while the album's production emphasized orchestral swells and folk-prog fusion, with tracks like "Lay Down" demonstrating rhythmic experimentation and choral elements. This era's commercial peak arrived with Bursting at the Seams (1973), hitting UK No. 2 and driven by the union-themed single "Part of the Union" (UK No. 2), though its harder rock edges tempered some prog experimentation amid 52-date tours that strained the band.[28][32] By 1974, with a reconfigured lineup of Cousins, Lambert, John Hawken (keyboards, ex-Renaissance), Rod Coombes (drums), and Chas Cronk (bass), the Strawbs fully committed to symphonic prog on Hero and Heroine, released first in the US and featuring extended suites like "Autumn," which integrated mellotron epics, gothic lyrical despair, and philosophical undertones. The album's experimental construction, including backwards melodies in "Shine on Silver Sun," highlighted Cousins' romantic and metaphysical songwriting, earning it a place in Rolling Stone's list of the 50 greatest prog albums for its ambitious prose and untamed arrangements. This phase culminated in Ghosts (1975), delayed by technical issues but notable for its gothic textures and bold experimentation, such as synthesizer intros in "Grace Darling" and the multi-part "Life Auction," blending diverse member contributions with mellotron-driven atmospheres. The subsequent Nomadness (1975) lightened the tone with guest musicians like John Mealing, incorporating jazz-inflected elements, but marked the end of their A&M contract amid financial pressures. These albums solidified the Strawbs' reputation for innovative prog-folk hybrids, influencing the genre through their balance of accessibility and complexity before the band's temporary split.[13][33][34]Discography
Studio albums
The Strawbs' studio discography reflects their evolution from acoustic folk roots to progressive rock experimentation and later acoustic revivals, with 19 full-length releases spanning over five decades. Their early work on A&M Records captured a shift toward electric instrumentation and conceptual themes, culminating in commercial peaks during the mid-1970s. Following a period of lineup changes and hiatus after 1978, the band resumed studio activity in the late 1980s through independent labels, emphasizing folk-prog hybrids and occasional reunions of classic lineups. Recent albums under Esoteric Recordings highlight continued creativity into the 2020s, blending traditional elements with modern production.[35][2] Key releases include their prog-era highlights Hero and Heroine (1974), which featured orchestral arrangements and peaked at No. 35 on the UK Albums Chart,[36] and Ghosts (1975), noted for its symphonic leanings. The 1987 comeback Don't Say Goodbye marked a return to rootsy folk rock after nearly a decade away from studios. In the 2000s, albums like Déjà Fou (2004) reunited the Hero and Heroine lineup for fresh material, while later works such as The Ferryman's Curse (2017) incorporated narrative storytelling inspired by Edgar Allan Poe.[37][12][38]| Year | Album Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Strawbs | A&M |
| 1970 | Dragonfly | A&M |
| 1971 | From the Witchwood | A&M |
| 1972 | Grave New World | A&M |
| 1973 | Bursting at the Seams | A&M |
| 1974 | Hero and Heroine | A&M |
| 1975 | Ghosts | A&M |
| 1975 | Nomadness | A&M |
| 1976 | Deep Cuts | A&M |
| 1977 | Burning for You | Caribou |
| 1978 | Deadlines | Arista |
| 1987 | Don't Say Goodbye | Chord |
| 2003 | Blue Angel | Witchwood Media |
| 2004 | Déjà Fou | Witchwood Media |
| 2008 | The Broken Hearted Bride | Witchwood Media |
| 2009 | Dancing to the Devil's Beat | Witchwood Media |
| 2017 | The Ferryman's Curse | Esoteric |
| 2021 | Settlement | Esoteric |
| 2023 | The Magic of It All | Esoteric |