Fans across the Globe to Celebrate The Strawbs’ 50th Anniversary at the Strand Theater, Lakewood, This April
Fans from across the globe will be traveling to the historic Strand Theater, Lakewood, N.J., April 26-28, 2019, for the weekend-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Strawbs, considered iconic progressive rock legends. Fans will enjoy exclusive musical performances, a Food Truck Fiesta, dinner, and a Strawbs’ Farewell Brunch.
“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.”
Ray Coles, co-producer of Strawbs’ 50th Anniversary Weekend, noted that musical performances will 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 Strawbs’ current line-up includes 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.
Confirmed special guests include Producer Tony Visconti, Renaissance vocalist Annie Haslam, electronic music pioneer Larry 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.
Tickets are still available for Friday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 27 at 1:00 p.m. Single-day and two-day tickets are available at www.strand.org. VIP Tickets are sold out. For additional information, contact Ray Coles at 732.691.9989 or by email raycoles@teknetinc.com or visit www.strawbs50.com
*Dave Cousins, Strawbs’ lead vocalist and principal songwriter, has been described by the influential All Music Guide as “the most talented Dylan-influenced songwriter to come out of England.” Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the band’s 1974 release Hero & Heroine among the Top 50 Progressive Rock Albums of All Time. Music legend Tony Visconti, best known for his work with David Bowie and The Moody Blues, places Strawbs’ Dragonfly among the top albums he’s ever produced.