Musician and founder of Strawbs, Dave Cousins, who served as the group's lead vocalist and guitarist, has passed away at the age of 85.
In a heartfelt announcement made on his Facebook page this afternoon, the news of the passing of Dave Cousins, the co-founder and long-term frontman of the British progressive rock band Strawbs, has been confirmed. Cousins, born as David Joseph Hindson on January 7, 1940, passed away peacefully at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury following a long illness.
Known for his influential songwriting and distinctive voice, Cousins was instrumental in shaping the sound of the Strawbs, which evolved from bluegrass to folk rock and progressive rock over the years. The band, originally known as the Strawberry Hill Boys, was the first UK group signed to A&M Records.
Throughout their career, the Strawbs lineup evolved, but key members included Cousins, Tony Hooper, Ron Chesterman, Rick Wakeman, Dave Lambert, and Chas Cronk. Wakeman's stint with the Strawbs, from 1970 to 1971, was pivotal in shaping their progressive rock sound, particularly on albums like *Dragonfly* and *From the Witchwood*.
The Strawbs' discography includes notable albums such as their debut *Strawbs* (1969), *Dragonfly* (1970), *From the Witchwood* (1971), *Bursting at the Seams* (1973), and *Hero and Heroine* (1974). Cousins' influence can be heard on these albums, showcasing the band's evolution from folk-rock to progressive rock.
In recent years, Strawbs toured with both acoustic and electric line-ups, featuring musicians like Adam and Oliver Wakeman, John Young, and Dave Bainbridge. They performed their final show at Fairport Convention's Cropredy Festival on August 11, 2023, with Cousins quitting touring in 2021.
Cousins made a speaking appearance on Def Leppard's 1980 debut album, On Through the Night. He also worked with Tony Visconti on the Strawbs' self-titled 1969 release, which was produced by Gus Dudgeon.
The statement asks people to celebrate the life of Dave Cousins by listening to their favourite Strawbs song as the sun goes down. No further information about funeral or memorial services has been announced yet.
People are asked to remember Dave Cousins, a wonderful and talented man, whose life has touched many. His loss will be felt deeply within the music industry and by fans worldwide.
- Dave Cousins, a key figure in the British progressive rock band Strawbs, is celebrated through the playing of favorite Strawbs songs as the sun sets, as per a heartfelt announcement made on his Facebook page.
- Cousins, co-founder and long-term frontman of the band, passed away peacefully at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury following a long illness, with no further information about funeral or memorial services announced yet.
- The Strawbs, originally known as the Strawberry Hill Boys, evolved from bluegrass to folk rock and progressive rock over the years, with Cousins' distinctive voice and songwriting influencing the band's sound.
- Key members included Cousins, Tony Hooper, Ron Chesterman, Rick Wakeman, Dave Lambert, and Chas Cronk, with Wakeman's tenure from 1970 to 1971 pivotal in shaping the band's progressive rock sound.
- The Strawbs' discography showcases the band's evolution from folk-rock to progressive rock, with notable albums like "Strawbs" (1969), "Dragonfly" (1970), "From the Witchwood" (1971), "Bursting at the Seams" (1973), and "Hero and Heroine" (1974).
- In recent years, the band toured with both acoustic and electric line-ups, featuring musicians like Adam and Oliver Wakeman, John Young, and Dave Bainbridge, and performed their final show at Fairport Convention's Cropredy Festival on August 11, 2023.
- Cousins made a speaking appearance on Def Leppard's 1980 debut album, "On Through the Night," and worked with Tony Visconti on the Strawbs' self-titled 1969 release, produced by Gus Dudgeon.
- Dave Cousins, a talented man whose life touched many, will be deeply missed within the music industry and by fans worldwide.
