DER BRITISCHE SÄNGER, SONGWRITER, MUSIKER UND KOMPONIST DAVE COUSINS (STRAWBS) IST GESTORBEN

Der am 7. Januar 1940 in Hounslow (Middlesex) geborene britische Sänger und Songwriter Dave Cousins (Bild) ist am 13. Juli 2025 in Canterbury gestorben. Er beherrschte zahlreiche Saiteninstrumente wie Gitarre, Banjo und Dulcimer. Dave Cousins war der Begründer und langjährige Bandleader der Progressive-Rock-Gruppe Strawbs, für die er einen Grossteil der Songs textete und komponierte. (*) In seiner langen Laufbahn von Folk bis Rock und zurück arbeitete er u.a. mit Brian Willoughby, Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk, Sandy Denny, Roger Glover, Jon Hiseman und Rick Wakeman zusammen.

David Cousins, 2008 - Foto: Lrheath, BB Kings NYC with the Straws - Lizenz: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en - Datei: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DaveCousins08.jpg

Bild: David Cousins, 2008 – Foto: Lrheath, BB Kings NYC with the Strawbs – Lizenz: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en – Datei: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DaveCousins08.jpg

DAVID JOSEPH COUSINS 1940-2025

It is with profound sadness that we have to announce the passing of David Joseph Cousins at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury, peacefully following a long illness, today, Sunday 13 July 2025.

We will all wish to celebrate the life of this incredible singer-songwriter, relation, colleague and / or special friend at this time.

We, therefore, ask you to enjoy listening to your favourite Cousins song as the sun goes down, in whatever part of the world you are, enjoying what he would refer to as a glass of «vino collapso» (wine)…

As more information becomes available, you will be informed on his and Strawbs’ Facebook pages and on Strawbsweb (www.strawbsweb.co.uk).

Meanwhile, we ask you to join in remembering a wonderful, talented man, whose life has touched us all.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10006655252737489&set=a.101700096566437

David Cousins, accomplished songwriter

Born into a working-class family in West London, David had a unique, varied and distinguished career. He was one of the most distinctive singer-songwriters to emerge from the British scene in the 1960s before becoming a pioneer of independent local radio in the 1980s and 1990s. After twenty years in the radio business, musical composition and performance once again became his main focus. His contribution to British songwriting is immense. He has left us with a rich, deep and varied body of finely crafted songs and recordings. However, in David’s own words, from Hanging in the Gallery, one of his most exceptional songs, “He is silent now, will sing no more.”

https://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/2025-07-13-obituary-david-cousins-accomplished-songwriter-long-time-leader-of-the-strawbs-and

Cousins’ band moved from folk into progressive rock; they were first signed to A&M Records after All Out Own Work was recorded and released in 1967. In 1969, they released a self-titled project produced by Gus Dudgeon.

They have released 23 studio albums in total, the latest in 2023. Strawbs’ best-known single was ‘Part of the Union’, which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in February 1973. ‘Lay Down’, their progressive rock hit from the same LP, is also one of their most popular.

Cousins’ voice is known to many for another reason. He appeared on Def Leppard‘s 1980 debut, Oh Through The Night, and speaks at the beginning of the song ‘When the Walls Came Tumblin’ Down’.

Cousins has faced several health issues in recent years, including a major cancer operation. The musician quit touring in 2021; Strawbs performed their final show at Fairport Convention’s Cropredy Festival on August 11th, 2023.

Rachael Pimblett

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/dave-cousins-strawbs-singer-and-guitarist-dead-at-age-80

Audios / Videos:

David Cousins – Doctor of Music