(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- British rock legends Strawbs will mark their 50th anniversary with a three-day event filled with exclusive musical performances that feature the current band, special guests, and many of the artists who have contributed to the band’s sound over its five-decade history. The event will take place at The Strand Theater in Lakewood, New Jersey, from April 26 through April 28, 2019, and will be hosted by Strawbs’ current line-up: founding member David Cousins, along with long-standing band members Chas Cronk, Dave Lambert, and Tony Fernandez, and the band’s latest addition, Dave Bainbridge.
“In 2009, we celebrated our 40th year with a weekend party in Twickenham, England,” says Cousins. “Now, we’re bringing the party across the pond so that more of our North American fans can be part of the celebration. I expect it will be a raucous celebration of every era of our music, along with a lot of socializing and maybe the odd pint of beer.”
Confirmed special guests include: Producer Tony Visconti, Renaissance vocalist Annie Haslam, electronic music pioneerLarry Fast, Strawbs/Bee Gees keyboardist Blue Weaver, author/musician Wesley Stace, Hooters front man Eric Bazilian, Strawbs/Nashville Teens/Renaissance/Spooky Tooth keyboardist John Hawken, Strawbs/Hudson Ford bassist John Ford, Strawbs guitarist Brian Willoughby performing in his folk duo with Cathryn Craig, and a special tribute set featuring Richard Barone, Pete Donnelly, Sophie B Hawkins, Dag Juhlin, David Lewis, David Nagler, Bridget St. John & Tammy Faye Starlite. The UN Singers, the 40 member United Nations Choir, will join the band for the grand finale on Saturday.
With five decades of colorful history behind them, Strawbs evolved from 1960s British Folk Movement roots to a powerful and enduring force in progressive rock music. Led by the charismatic Dave Cousins, who has been called the most talented Dylan-influenced songwriter to come out of England, Strawbs dynamic performances, marked by impassioned vocals, tight harmonies, and precise instrumentation are exciting, lush and timeless.
Scroll down for a look at the schedule for each day.
Friday, April 26, 2019 starting at 6:00pm
Classic Strawbs with the Terra Nova Orchestra. Selected Strawbs masterpieces are performed against the lush and symphonic backdrop of the 30-piece Terra Nova Orchestra. Highlights include Tony Visconti conducting his new orchestral arrangements of Sandy Denny’s “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” & Strawbs first single “Oh How She Changed” Special guests: Tony Visconti, Annie Haslam, Brian Willoughby, Cathryn Craig, Eric Bazilian, Blue Weaver, John Hawken and Larry Fast.
A Modern Collection of Antiques & Curios - Top artists pay tribute to Strawbs, each with his or her own interpretation of a rare Strawbs treasure. Hosted by Wesley Stace featuring Richard Barone, Pete Donnelly, Sophie B. Hawkins, Dag Juhlin, David Lewis, Bridget St. John & Tammy Faye Starlite, backed by the English UK.
Dave Bainbridge’s Celestial Fire - Strawbs’ newest member ignites with a set of Celestial Fire scores that showcase his musical mastery.
Dave Lambert’s Fire - With the dynamic guitar that helped define Strawbs’ sound, Dave Lambert takes us on a musical journey… from “Father’s Name is Dad” to his most recent fan favorites with longtime bandmates John Hawken, Chas Cronk & Tony Fernandez.
Saturday, April 27, 2019 starting at 1:00pm
Brian Willoughby and Cathryn Craig - Exquisite guitar, stunning vocals, and a dash of Southern charm.
John Ford Band - John brings us moving, witty and exciting selections from his own catalog, along with some of his greatest contributions to Strawbs history.
Acoustic Strawbs with Annie Haslam - The Renaissance woman lends her five-octave vocal range to a set that celebrates Sandy Denny and songs from “All Our Own Work”.
Grave New World – The Whole Album Live for the first time - A special theatrical presentation of Strawbs’ seminal album “Grave New World”. Wesley Stace will perform a new narration, written by David Cousins especially for this performance.
Larry Fast and David Cousins - The man who helped create electronic music joins David Cousins for an electrifying performance.
Strawbs 50 Years On - The grand finale! Strawbs’ current line-up and special guests celebrate half a century with the band’s latest and greatest! Featuring the UN Singers, the 40 member United Nations Choir.
And more!
Sunday, April 29, 2019 starting at 10:00am - VIP Ticket Holders Only - Farewell Brunch at the Ramada Inn, Toms River NJ
Single-Day and Two-Day Tickets are available at www.strand.org. VIP Tickets are sold out. The Strand Theater is located at 400 Clifton Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey.
With Cousins at the forefront (vocals, guitar, dulcimer and banjo), Chas Cronk on bass, Dave Lambert (lead guitar and vocals), and Tony Fernandez on drums, today’s Strawbs look very similar to those who brought us some of our favorite classic rock albums, including the iconic "Hero & Heroine", ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2015 as one of the top 50 progressive rock albums of all time. New to this veteran Strawbs line-up (a line-up that has through the band’s existence included music legends Sandy Denny, Rick Wakeman and Blue Weaver), is Dave Bainbridge, a keyboard virtuoso who has mesmerized audiences across Europe and North America while performing with his Celtic folk/rock band Iona.
