# List of Strawbs band members

Strawbs are an English progressive rock band from London. Formed in early 1963 as the Strawberry Hill Boys, the group was originally an acoustic trio consisting of Dave Cousins on vocals, guitar and banjo; Tony Hooper on vocals, guitar and percussion; and Arthur Phillips on mandolin and vocals. The band's current lineup includes Cousins (a constant member, save for a brief period in 1980), guitarist and vocalist Dave Lambert (from 1972 to 1978, 1999 to 2001, and since 2004), bassist and vocalist Chas Cronk (from 1973 to 1980, and since 2004), drummer Tony Fernandez (from 1977 to 1980, 2010 to 2012, and since 2014), and keyboardist and guitarist Dave Bainbridge (since 2015)

## History
### 1963–1972

The Strawbs were formed as the Strawberry Hill Boys in early 1963, made up of Dave Cousins on vocals, guitar and banjo; Tony Hooper on guitar, percussion and vocals; and Arthur Phillips on mandolin and vocals. In June 1964, Phillips left and double bassist "Talking" John Berry took over as the band's third member. Berry was replaced by Ron Chesterman in the autumn of 1966. Early the next summer, singer-songwriter Sandy Denny joined the band to make it a four-piece for the first time, with the quartet recording All Our Own Work that July. Denny had left by the end of the year, with Sonja Kristina taking her place for one show before the group reverted to a trio.
Cousins, Hooper and Chesterman released Strawbs' self-titled debut album in May 1969. In August, the group became a quartet again with the addition of Claire Deniz as their first cellist. This lineup recorded Dragonfly, which was issued in February 1970 after Deniz had been replaced by Lindsay L. Cooper. The next month, the group added Rick Wakeman as their first keyboardist. Just a few weeks later, Chesterman left the band and Cooper took over on bass. By the beginning of May, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera members John Ford and Richard Hudson had joined the group on bass and drums, respectively, as their style moved away from being primarily acoustic.
After releasing live album Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios and studio album From the Witchwood, Wakeman left Strawbs in August 1971 to join Yes. He was replaced by Derek "Blue" Weaver of Fair Weather. Grave New World followed in early 1972, before founding member Tony Hooper left that August. In a 1991 interview, Hooper credited his departure to musical differences, recalling that "I felt that we were the best at what we did ... But there was pressure to succeed in America, and that entailed a move towards rock. I considered that to move in that direction would be to move into competition with many bands who were very good at what they did".

### 1972–1980

Tony Hooper was replaced by Dave Lambert, who had just performed on Dave Cousins' solo debut Two Weeks Last Summer. The new lineup released Bursting at the Seams at the beginning of 1973, before the group splintered in the summer when Ford, Weaver and Hudson were all fired after allegedly attempting to oust Cousins. That July, the frontman and Lambert introduced a new lineup with bassist Chas Cronk (formerly a session musician), keyboardist John Hawken (previously of the Nashville Teens) and drummer Rod Coombes (from Juicy Lucy and Stealers Wheel). After releasing Hero and Heroine and Ghosts, Hawken left Strawbs and Nomadness was recorded with various session keyboardists. After the recording of Nomadness, Hawken was replaced by John Mealing and Robert Kirby. The new two-keyboard lineup released Deep Cuts and Burning for You, after which Coombes left the group. He was replaced in time for the recording of Deadlines by Rick Wakeman's drummer Tony Fernandez.
At the end of 1977, Andy Richards replaced Mealing and Kirby. The band began recording Heartbreak Hill in May 1978, but after tracking just one song, Lambert left the band; Jo Partridge of Cockney Rebel was brought in to complete the album. Heartbreak Hill was not released until 1995. By the end of 1978, Lambert's space had been taken by Brian Willoughby. Following the release of the single "The King", frontman Dave Cousins left Strawbs in June 1980 to take a job at Radio Tees, with Roy Hill taking his place in the band. Hill and the remaining members were joined by guitarist John Knightsbridge and saxophonist Bimbo Acock for a pair of gigs, before disbanding.

### 1983–2003

In July 1983, the Grave New World lineup of the Strawbs (Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper, John Ford, Blue Weaver and Richard Hudson) reformed with lead guitarist Brian Willoughby, debuting at that year's Cambridge Folk Festival. Weaver was replaced by Chris Parren in late 1984, and Ford was replaced by Rod Demick in the summer of 1985. This lineup remained stable for several years, releasing the band's first studio album since reforming, Don't Say Goodbye, in 1987. During late 1992, Don Airey temporarily replaced Parren on tour, as he was working on the Rocky Horror Show production in London. By summer 1993, Weaver had returned to the band.
After several years of only sporadic appearances, in August 1998 the Strawbs performed a 30th anniversary show which was later released as The Complete Strawbs, featuring short sets from various different incarnations of the band, including their current lineup. Early the next year, with returning members John Ford and Dave Lambert, the group returned to regular touring. After tours in 2000 and 2001, the group went on hiatus as Cousins, Lambert and Willoughby focused on their Acoustic Strawbs side project started in late 2000. During this period, various recent and previous members of the band recorded Blue Angel, which was released in April 2003.

### Since 2004

In the spring of 2004, the 1973–1975 Hero and Heroine lineup of the Strawbs (Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk, John Hawken and Rod Coombes) reformed, touring and releasing Déjà Fou. This lineup remained constant for four years, before Hawken announced his retirement from the group in June 2008. In January 2009, former keyboardist Rick Wakeman's eldest son Oliver Wakeman was announced as Hawken's replacement for upcoming shows. Dancing to the Devil's Beat was released later that year. In September 2010, it was announced that Tony Fernandez was returning and John Young was replacing Wakeman for tour dates at the end of the year. In late 2012, Fernandez and Young were replaced by Adam Falkner and Oliver Wakeman's younger brother Adam Wakeman.
By early 2014, Fernandez had returned to his role as drummer for the Strawbs. Wakeman had left by the end of 2015, replaced by Dave Bainbridge. The group has since released two new studio albums: 2017's The Ferryman's Curse and 2021's Settlement.

## Members
### Current

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Dave Cousins | 1963–19801983–20012004–present | vocalsguitarbanjodulcimerautoharp | all Strawbs releases |
| Dave Lambert | 1972–19781999–20012004–present | lead guitarvocals | all Strawbs releases from Bursting at the Seams (1973) to Deadlines (1978) (except All Our Own Work), and from Heartbreak Hill (1995) onwards (except Recollection and Of a Time) |
| Chas Cronk | 1973–19802004–present | bassacoustic guitarprogrammingvocals | all Strawbs releases from Hero and Heroine (1974) to "The King" (1979), and from Heartbreak Hill (1995) onwards (except Recollection, Live at the BBC, Vol. One: In Session and Of a Time) |
| Tony Fernandez | 1977–19802010–20122014–present | drumspercussion | Deadlines (1978)"The King" (1979)Heartbreak Hill (1995)Blue Angel (2003)A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – four tracks40th Anniversary Celebration Vol. 1: Strawberry Fayre (2010)Hero & Heroine in Ascencia (2011)all Strawbs releases from Prognostic (2014) onwards |
| Dave Bainbridge | 2015–present | keyboardsprogrammingguitarbouzouki | all Strawbs releases from Live in Gettysburg (2017) onwards |

### Former

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Tony Hooper | 1963–19721983–1993 (died 2020) | vocalsguitarpercussion | all Strawbs releases from Strawbs (1969) to "Here It Comes" (1972), and from Don't Say Goodbye (1987) to Greatest Hits Live! (1992)All Our Own Work (1973)The Complete Strawbs (2000)Recollection (2006)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)Live at the BBC, Vol. One: In Session and Vol. Two: In Concert (2010)Of a Time (2012) |
| Arthur Phillips | 1963–1964 | mandolinvocals | none |
| "Talking" John Berry | 1964–1966 (died) | double bassvocals | A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – one track |
| Ron Chesterman | 1966–1970 (died 2007) | double bass | all Strawbs releases from Strawbs (1969) to "Forever" (1970)All Our Own Work (1973)Preserves Uncanned (1990)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)Live at the BBC, Vol. One: In Session (2010)Of a Time (2012) |
| Sandy Denny | 1967 (died 1978) | vocalsguitar | Strawberry Sampler Number 1 (1969)All Our Own Work (1973)A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – two tracks |
| Sonja Kristina | 1967 | vocalsguitar | 40th Anniversary Celebration Vol. 1: Strawberry Fayre (2010) – two tracks |
| Claire Deniz | 1969 | cello | Dragonfly (1970)"Forever" (1970)A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – three tracksLive at the BBC, Vol. One: In Session (2010) – two tracks |
| Lindsay L. Cooper | 1970 (died 2001) | cello (January – March)double bass (March – April) | none |
| Rick Wakeman | 1970–1971 | keyboardssynthesiserspianoharpsichord | all Strawbs releases from Dragonfly (1970) to "Let's Keep the Devil Outside" (1972)Nomadness (1975) – one trackRecollection (2006)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)Live at the BBC, Vol. One: In Session and Vol. Two: In Concert (2010)40th Anniversary Celebration Vol 1: Strawberry Fayre (2010) – two tracksPrognostic (2014) – two tracks |
| Richard Hudson | 1970–19731983–2001 | drumspercussionsitaracoustic guitarvocals | all Strawbs releases from Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios (1970) to Bursting at the Seams (1973)Don't Say Goodbye (1987)Ringing Down the Years (1991)Greatest Hits Live! (1992)Strawbs in Concert (1995)The Complete Strawbs (2000)Blue Angel (2003) – two tracksRecollection (2006)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)Live at the BBC, Vol. One: In Session and Vol. Two: In Concert (2010) |
| John Ford | 1970–19731983–19851999–2001 | bassguitarvocals | all Strawbs releases from Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios (1970) to Bursting at the Seams (1973)Strawbs in Concert (1995)The Complete Strawbs (2000)Recollection (2006)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)Lay Down with the Strawbs (2008)Live at the BBC, Vol. One: In Session and Vol. Two: In Concert (2010) |
| Derek "Blue" Weaver | 1971–19731983–19841993–2001 | keyboardsprogramming | Grave New World (1972)"Here It Comes" (1972)Bursting at the Seams (1974)Strawbs in Concert (1995)The Complete Strawbs (2000)Blue Angel (2003)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)Live at the BBC, Vol. One: In Session and Vol. Two: In Concert (2010)40th Anniversary Celebration Vol. 1: Strawberry Fayre (2010) – two tracks |
| Rod Coombes | 1973–19772004–2010 | drumspercussionacoustic guitarvocals | all Strawbs releases from Hero and Heroine (1974) to Burning for You (1977), and from Strawbs in Concert (1995) to 40th Anniversary Celebration Vol. 1: Strawberry Fayre (2010) – three tracks (except Recollection and Live at the BBC, Vol. One: In Session)Prognostic (2014) – one track |
| John Hawken | 1973–19752004–2008 (died 2024) | keyboardssynthesisers | Hero and Heroine (1974)Ghosts (1975)Strawbs in Concert (1995)Live in Tokyo 75 (2003)Déjà Fou (2004)Live at Nearfest (2005)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)Lay Down with the Strawbs (2008)The Broken Hearted Bride (2008)Live at the BBC, Vol. Two: In Concert (2010)Prognostic (2014) – one track |
| John Mealing | 1975–1977 | keyboardssynthesisers | all Strawbs releases from Nomadness (1975) to Deadlines (1978)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)NY '75 (2007) |
| Robert Kirby | 1975–1977 (died 2009) | keyboardswoodwindautoharpvocals | Deep Cuts (1976)Burning for You (1977)Deadlines (1978)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)NY '75 (2007) |
| Andy Richards | 1977–1980 | keyboards | "The King" (1979)Heartbreak Hill (1995)Blue Angel (2003) – one trackA Taste of Strawbs (2006) – two tracks40th Anniversary Celebration Vol. 1: Strawberry Fayre (2010) – two tracksPrognostic (2014) |
| Brian Willoughby | 1978–19801983–2001 | lead guitar | "The King" (1979)Don't Say Goodbye (1987)Ringing Down the Years (1991)Greatest Hits Live! (1992)The Complete Strawbs (2000)Blue Angel (2003)A Taste of Strawbs (2006)40th Anniversary Celebration Vol. 1: Strawberry Fayre (2010) – two tracks |
| John Knightsbridge | 1980 | lead guitar | none |
| Bimbo Acock | 1980 | saxophoneflute | none |
| Chris Parren | 1984–1992 | keyboards | Don't Say Goodbye (1987)Ringing Down the Years (1991)Greatest Hits Live! (1992)A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – one track |
| Rod Demick | 1985–1999 | bassharmonicavocals | Don't Say Goodbye (1987)Ringing Down the Years (1991)Greatest Hits Live! (1992)The Complete Strawbs (2000) – three tracksBlue Angel (2004)A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – two tracks |
| Don Airey | 1992–1993 (initially as a touring substitute) | keyboards | A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – two tracks |
| Oliver Wakeman | 2009–2010 | keyboards | Dancing to the Devil's Beat (2009)40th Anniversary Celebration Vol. 1: Strawberry Fayre (2010) – three tracks |
| John Young | 2010–2012 | keyboardsvocals | Hero & Heroine in Ascencia (2011) |
| Adam Wakeman | 2012–2015 | keyboards | The Complete Strawbs (2000) |
| Adam Falkner | 2012–2014 | drumspercussion | none |

## Lineups

| Period | Members | Releases |
| Early 1963 – June 1964 (as the Strawberry Hill Boys) | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Arthur Phillips – mandolin, vocals | none |
| June 1964 – autumn 1966 (as the Strawberry Hill Boys) | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion John Berry – double bass, vocals | A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 1 track |
| Autumn 1966 – May 1967 (as the Strawberry Hill Boys) | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Ron Chesterman – double bass | Preserves Uncanned (1990) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 3 tracks Of a Time (2012) |
| May – November 1967 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Sandy Denny – vocals, guitar Ron Chesterman – double bass | Strawberry Sampler Number 1 (1969) All Our Own Work (1973) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 2 tracks |
| December 1967 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Sonja Kristina – vocals, guitar Ron Chesterman – double bass | none |
| December 1967 – August 1969 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Ron Chesterman – double bass | Strawbs (1969) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 5 tracks Live at the BBC, Vol. One (2010) – 3 tracks |
| August – December 1969 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Ron Chesterman – double bass Claire Deniz – cello | Dragonfly (1970) "Forever" (1970) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 3 tracks Live at the BBC, Vol. One (2010) – 2 tracks |
| January – March 1970 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Ron Chesterman – double bass Lindsay L. Cooper – cello | none |
| Early – late March 1970 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Ron Chesterman – double bass Lindsay L. Cooper – cello Rick Wakeman – keyboards, synthesisers | none |
| March – April 1970 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Lindsay L. Cooper – double bass Rick Wakeman – keyboards, synthesisers | none |
| May 1970 – August 1971 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion John Ford – bass, guitar, vocals Rick Wakeman – keyboards, synthesisers Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios (1970) From the Witchwood (1971) "Let's Keep the Devil Outside" (1972) Recollection (2006) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 5 tracks Live at the BBC, Vol. One (2010) – 4 tracks Live at the BBC, Vol. Two (2010) – 11 tracks |
| August 1971 – August 1972 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion John Ford – bass, guitar, vocals Blue Weaver – keyboards, programming Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | Grave New World (1972) "Here It Comes" (1972) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 3 tracks Live at the BBC, Vol. One (2010) – 7 tracks |
| September 1972 – May 1973 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals John Ford – bass, guitar, vocals Blue Weaver – keyboards, programming Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | Bursting at the Seams (1973) Strawbs in Concert (1995) – 11 tracks Live at the BBC, Vol. One (2010) – 3 tracks Live at the BBC, Vol. Two (2010) – 11 tracks |
| July 1973 – May 1975 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals John Hawken – keyboards, synthesisers Rod Coombes – drums, percussion, vocals | Hero and Heroine (1974) Ghosts (1975) Strawbs in Concert (1995) – 5 tracks Live in Tokyo 75 (2003) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 4 tracks Live at the BBC, Vol. Two (2010) – 9 tracks |
| Summer 1975 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Rod Coombes – drums, percussion, vocals | Nomadness (1975) |
| Summer 1975 – summer 1977 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Rod Coombes – drums, percussion, vocals John Mealing – keyboards, synthesisers Robert Kirby – keyboards, vocals | Deep Cuts (1976) Burning for You (1977) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 5 tracks NY '75 (2007) |
| Summer – December 1977 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion John Mealing – keyboards, synthesisers Robert Kirby – keyboards, vocals | Deadlines (1978) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 2 tracks |
| December 1977 – May 1978 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Andy Richards – keyboards Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion | Heartbreak Hill (1995) – 1 track |
| May – December 1978 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Andy Richards – keyboards Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion | Heartbreak Hill (1995) – remaining tracks A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 2 tracks |
| December 1978 – June 1980 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Brian Willoughby – lead guitar Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Andy Richards – keyboards Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion | "The King" (1979) |
| June – July 1980 | Roy Hill – lead vocals, guitar Brian Willoughby – lead guitar John Knightsbridge – lead guitar Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Andy Richards – keyboards Bimbo Acock – saxophone, flute Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion | none |
| Band inactive July 1980 – July 1983 |||
| July 1983 – late 1984 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Brian Willoughby – lead guitar John Ford – bass, guitar, vocals Blue Weaver – keyboards, programming Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 4 tracks |
| Late 1984 – summer 1985 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Brian Willoughby – lead guitar John Ford – bass, guitar, vocals Chris Parren – keyboards Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | none |
| Summer 1985 – September 1992 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Brian Willoughby – lead guitar Rod Demick – bass, harmonica, vocals Chris Parren – keyboards Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | Don't Say Goodbye (1987) Ringing Down the Years (1991) Greatest Hits Live! (1992) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 1 track |
| September 1992 – summer 1993 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Tony Hooper – vocals, guitar, percussion Brian Willoughby – lead guitar Rod Demick – bass, harmonica, vocals Don Airey – keyboards Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 1 track |
| Summer 1993 – early 1999 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Brian Willoughby – lead guitar Rod Demick – bass, harmonica, vocals Blue Weaver – keyboards, programming Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | The Complete Strawbs (2000) (also features various former lineups of the band) |
| Early 1999 – June 2001 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Brian Willoughby – lead guitar John Ford – bass, guitar, vocals Blue Weaver – keyboards, programming Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | none |
| Band inactive June 2001 – May 2004 Blue Angel recorded during this period by various former members |||
| May 2004 – June 2008 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals John Hawken – keyboards, synthesisers Rod Coombes – drums, percussion, vocals | Déjà Fou (2004) Live at Nearfest (2005) A Taste of Strawbs (2006) – 4 tracks Lay Down with the Strawbs (2008) The Broken Hearted Bride (2008) |
| July 2004 (temporary touring lineup) | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Brian Willoughby – lead guitar John Ford – bass, guitar, vocals Blue Weaver – keyboards, programming Richard Hudson – drums, sitar, vocals | none |
| Early 2009 – September 2010 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Oliver Wakeman – keyboards Rod Coombes – drums, percussion, vocals | Dancing to the Devil's Beat (2009) 40th Anniversary Celebration Vol. 1: Strawberry Fayre (2010) |
| September 2010 – late 2012 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals John Young – keyboards, vocals Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion | Hero & Heroine in Ascencia (2011) |
| Late 2012 – early 2014 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Adam Wakeman – keyboards Adam Falkner – drums, percussion | none |
| Early 2014 – late 2015 | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Adam Wakeman – keyboards Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion | none |
| Late 2015 – present | Dave Cousins – vocals, guitar, banjo Dave Lambert – lead guitar, vocals Chas Cronk – bass, guitar, vocals Dave Bainbridge – keyboards, guitar Tony Fernandez – drums, percussion | Live in Gettysburg (2017) The Ferryman's Curse (2017) Settlement (2021) |