Strawbs founder and longtime frontman Dave Cousins has died at the age of 85. The news was announced on his Facebook page.
„It is with deep sadness that we must announce the passing of David Joseph Cousins at the „Pilgrims“ hospice in Canterbury, passed away peacefully after a long illness today, Sunday, July 13, 2025.
„We would all like to celebrate the life of this incredible singer-songwriter, relative, colleague and/or special friend at this time.
„So please enjoy listening to your favorite Cousins song as the sun sets, wherever you are in the world, enjoying what he would call a glass of vino collapse...
„In the meantime, please join us in paying tribute to a wonderful, talented man whose life has touched us all.“
Born David Joseph Hindson on January 7, 1940, Cousins formed the Strawbs from the bluegrass band Strawberry Hill Boys, as first turning to folk, then to progressive rock.
One of the Strawbs' first singers was future Fairport Convention member Sandy Denny, with whom the Strawbs recorded All Our Own Work in 1967. The group was the first British group to sign with A&M Records, and Tony Visconti worked with the group on their 1969 self-titled album, produced by Gus Dudgeon.
Rick Wakeman joined the group for Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios in the 1970s, but left after From The Witchwood the following year to join Yes. Although they are best known for their 1973 hit, which reached number two in the charts, Part Of The Union from the album Bursting At The Seams that same year, Grave New World in 1972 and Hero And Heroine in 1974. represent the classic Strawbs sound.
Cousins made an unexpected cameo appearance on Def Leppard's 1980 debut album, On Through The Night, and his speaking voice can be heard at the beginning of When The Walls Came Tumblin'. Down.
In recent years, the band has toured with both acoustic and electric lineups, which have included Adam and Oliver Wakeman, John Young and Dave Bainbridge at various times, and recorded albums for the Esoteric label, such as The Ferryman's Curse (2017), Settlement (2021) and The Magic Of It All (2023).
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