‘Touched us all': Rock legend dies peacefully after battling a long illness at 85
The founder, guitarist, and singer of the English folk and progressive rock band, The Strawbs reportedly passed away yesterday.
News of his death was announced via Cousins' official Facebook page, citing his 'long illness'.
The statement read: '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.'
Fans have been encouraged to listen to their favourite songs by the rock legend, as well as what Cousins would refer to as a 'glass of vino collapso' (wine).
It added: 'We ask you to join in remembering a wonderful, talented man, whose life has touched us all.'
Cousins was born in 1940, and founded the band originally known as the Strawberry Hill Boys in 1964.
An obituary dedicated to the accomplished songwriter, band frontman and independent local radio entrepreneur read: '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.'
Cousins first met fellow Strawbs member, Tony Hooper, on his first day attending the Thames Valley Grammar School in Twickenham.
After school, he created a skiffle group with Hooper and two other friends call the Gin Bottle Four, before going off to the University of Leicester.
There, Cousins majored in Mathematics and Statistics, while being heavily involved in the student music scene.
Cousins then founded the University Folk Society, as well as being president of the Jazz Club that ran in the basement of the Students' Union's building.
The Gin Bottle Four eventually developed into the Strawberry Hill Boys, as cousins became renowned for his fast banjo-picking, inimitable vocal style, and haunting compositions.
The Strawbs moved from folk into progressive rock after first being signed to A & M records and releasing album All Our Own Work which was recorded in 1967.
The have since released 23 studio albums, with the latest in 2023.
Their best-known single was Part of the Union which reached number two in the UK Singles Charts in February 1973.
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