Biography
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Years Active
1964 – present (60 years)
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Founded In
London, England, United Kingdom
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Members
- Andy Richards (1978 – 1980)
- Blue Weaver (1971 – 2001)
- Brian Willoughby (1978 – 2004)
- Chas Cronk (1973 – present)
- Dave Cousins (1963 – present)
Strawbs is an English rock band formed in 1964, led continuously by Dave Cousins. Known for their folk-rock and progressive rock styles in the 1970s, the band featured early members like Sandy Denny before she joined Fairport Convention, and Rick Wakeman before his tenure with Yes.
Originally called the Strawberry Hill Boys, they began as a bluegrass group but soon shifted to original material primarily written by Cousins. They were the first UK act signed to Herb Alpert's A\&M Records, releasing their first single "Oh How She Changed" in 1968, and their debut album "Strawbs" in 1969.
After the folk-tinged "Dragonfly," Rick Wakeman joined on keyboards alongside Richard Hudson (drums) and John Ford (bass). Their third album, "Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios," was recorded live at their London debut and was their first US release. Wakeman stayed for "From the Witchwood" before moving on to Yes, replaced by Blue Weaver. This lineup produced "Grave New World," often cited as a defining Strawbs album. Founding member Tony Hooper left, replaced by Dave Lambert, ushering in a harder rock sound.
Lambert’s arrival coincided with hits like "Lay Down" (UK number 12) and "Part of the Union" (UK number 2) from the album "Bursting at the Seams," which reached number 2 on the UK charts. The band toured extensively before tensions during a US tour caused Hudson and Ford to leave and form Hudson Ford, while Weaver also departed.
Cousins and Lambert rebuilt the band with John Hawken (keyboards), Rod Coombes (drums), and Chas Cronk (bass). They recorded "Hero and Heroine" and "Ghosts," albums with significant success in North America, especially Canada, where "Hero and Heroine" went platinum. Later albums were less successful, and the band left A\&M Records.
On the Deep Purple-owned Oyster label, they released two albums with keyboardists Robert Kirby and John Mealing, followed by "Deadlines" on Arista. Plans for the album "Heartbreak Hill" stalled when Cousins left in 1980, causing the band's hiatus.
A 1983 reunion on Rick Wakeman’s TV show led to reforming for the Cambridge Folk Festival. Various lineups performed intermittently in the UK, US, and Europe through the 80s and 90s. A 30th-anniversary concert in 1998 revived the band, leading to regular tours.
The acoustic trio Acoustic Strawbs, formed by Cousins, Lambert, and Willoughby, toured widely and recorded "Baroque & Roll" in 2001. Willoughby was later replaced by Chas Cronk. The electric band’s classic "Hero and Heroine" lineup returned in 2004, releasing "Deja Fou," their first new album in 25 years.
Spin-offs include Hudson Ford and The Monks, the latter scoring a UK hit with "Nice Legs, Shame About The Face" in 1979 and gaining significant popularity in Canada.
Since 2007, Strawbs have toured both as an acoustic trio and the full electric band with the "Hero and Heroine/Ghosts" lineup. Oliver Wakeman, son of Rick Wakeman, joined on keyboards for tours starting in 2009. The band released "The Broken Hearted Bride" (2008) and "Dancing to the Devil's Beat" (2009).
Personnel changes continued, with Tony Fernandez and John Young joining on drums and keyboards for tours. The Strawbs maintain a dedicated fanbase in the UK, US, and Canada, with an extensive history of recording, touring, and side projects.
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