Members include Ron Chesterman (group member, 1967-69), bass; Rod Coombes (group member, 1973-77), bass, guitar, drums, vocals; Dave Cousins, vocals, guitar, dulcimer, bass, banjo, recorder; Chas Cronk (group member, 1973-80), bass, synthesizer, vocals; Claire Deniz (group member, 1969), cello; Sandy Denny (left group, 1968), guitar, vocals; John Ford (group member, 1970-73), bass, guitar, vocals; John Hawken (group member, 1973-75), keyboards; Tony Hooper (left group, 1972), guitar, autoharp, vocals; Richard Hudson (group member, 1970-73), drums, sitar, tablas, vocals; Dave Lambert (joined group, 1972), guitar, vocals; Rick Wakeman (group member, 1970-71), keyboards; Blue Weaver (group member, 1971-73), keyboards. Addresses: Record company--A&M Records, 2220 Colorado Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90404, (310) 208-6547.
Like many of their counterparts in 1967, the Strawbs began as a folk-rock unit, grounded in traditional English music. Unlike the others, Dave Cousins and an ever-changing lineup morphed into a premier progressive rock band. While groups like Fairport Convention and Pentangle stuck to their roots, the Strawbs added keyboards and expanded their sound. "The music," writes Polly Vedder in MusicHound Rock, "ranges from a consciously ancient sound to straight-ahead rock 'n' roll--variously intimate, folky or grand." Cousins's songwriting and vocals provided a constant thread throughout the band's career as the Strawbs created progressive rock milestones like Grave New World and Bursting at the Seams.
(musicianguide.com/biographies/1608003309/Strawbs.html)