John Hawken - Keyboardist for Strawbs dead at 84

[recgord27]

John Hawken - Keyboard player, best known for his work with Nashville Teens, Renaissance and Strawbs has died at age 84 (9 May 1940 – 15 May 2024).

From the Strawbs site -

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.

Strawbs - Winter

Renaissance - Kings and Queens

R.I.P. John Hawken

 

[Magic]

 

[Nai Noswad]

So sad, I never realised he was that age!
Tremendous worker in the world of music.... going right back to the early 60s. Slowly these musicians from our era are all slipping away.
Rock on mate.
RIP.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

I never would have known much about the Strawbs without you, rec, so thanks for that.

And RIP to an essential part of this amazing band.

 

[dr wu]

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.

 

[Pilgrim]

I'm starting to get up everyday and wonder who we lost in the music world. It's nice to see teenagers at concerts that are preformed by great musicians, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, and no autotune!!! Oh, and they can play an instruments.

 

[recgord27]

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.

That's a nice album. Surprising content with beautiful piano by John. Thanks @dr wu