John Hawken - Keyboardist for Strawbs dead at 84

JOHN HAWKEN PASSES - DAVE COUSINS WRITES It is with deep sadness that I must tell you that John Hawken passed away peacefully with his family at his side at 2pm US Eastern Standard Time today (15 May). John Hawken joined Strawbs in late 1973. His contribution to the Strawbs legacy was immense and with John on board Strawbs played consistently to the band’s biggest audiences. The breakthrough for Strawbs in the US and Canada was the 1974 album ‘Hero and Heroine’. The following 1975 album ‘Ghosts’ charted even higher in the Billboard charts. John’s keyboard work contributed greatly to our success. John was renowned for his sensitive touch on the piano, most notably on ‘The Winter Long’ from ‘Autumn’. John became highly adept on Mellotron and Moog synthesizer, defining the backbone of the Strawbs sound. John, I will miss you so much. Not only for your playing, but also for your sense of humour, which brought tears to my eyes every time we met up. Gone, but never to be forgotten. Much love.

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dr wu said:

RIP
Nice keys on the first two early Renaissance lps....from 69 and 71....and on Hero and Heroine with Strawbs two of my favorites from them.
I also have Illusion-Out of the Mist which he helped reform in 1977.

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