STOP PRESS: FRED WEDLOCK DIES

I have just received the very sad news from Dave Cousins, that Fred Wedlock died today following a heart attack.

Those of us who attended the 40th anniversary really enjoyed Fred's role as compere, and the set of his own material he gave us on Sunday morning, including his classic hit "The Oldest Swinger In Town".

A huge comic talent, and an all round thoroughly nice guy, I know those fans who were at the show and those who have seen Fred in the past during his long and successful career, would want to pass on their condolences to Fred's family.

Dave Cousins writes:

At the end of January I did a gig with Ian Cutler in Trowbridge at the Village Pump. Before we went on Fred Wedlock did a few songs.

After the show we went and had a curry next door, just like the old days. Fred was in great form and we reminisced about the fact that we first met in Bath at the Lansdown Club over 40 years ago.

Last week I had the sad news that Fred had died from a heart seizure. No-one had a bigger heart than Fred so it must have been a serious one.

In the early 1980s I became Programme Controller of Radio Tees. Fred gave me a copy of his new album and asked if I could give it a spin. I got the morning show presenter to play 'The Oldest Swinger In Town'. It was the first time it was ever played on radio anywhere. The reaction was immediate – people phoning in asking where they could buy it. I called his manager. A few weeks later it came out as a single and hit the charts. By way of thanks, Fred presented me with a silver disc celebrating 250,000 sales, a bottle of whisky, and a bottle of gin.

The disc hangs proudly on my office wall. The contents of the bottles hang proudly round my waistline.

Thanks Fred. God bless.

STOP PRESS: STRAWBS INDUCTED INTO PROGRESSIVE ROCK HALL OF FAME

News just in that our heroes have been inducted into The Progressive Rock Hall of Fame. They're in good company - other inductees this year are Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Moody Blues, Frank Zappa and Blood, Sweat & Tears !!

ACOUSTIC STRAWBS/ COUSINS & CUTLER
UK DATES JAN/FEB 2010

As the Acoustic tour approaches its close, we have some pictures in from well known folk-rock photographer Chris Bates, taken at the well attended, extremely well received show at London's Borderline club on 25 Feb. For more pics from Chris and reviews from a number of the gigs, check out the tour page.

Please send your reviews and photos to:

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CRY NO MORE ALBUM - SAT 13 MARCH GIG / TEMPTATION

Two "new" CNM albums available from Roy Hill - review just in from Lindsay Sorrell of one of them - Temptation, a collection of unreleased Cry No More material from the late 1980s.

Check out the Cry No More reviews page.

After a triumphant showing at the Turks Head on 5 March, a second Annual Farewell Gig has been scheduled for Sat 13 March at the Royal Oak in Isleworth - FREE ENTRY - showtime 9.00pm (tbc).

STRAWBS SHEET MUSIC

At last, some commercially available Strawbs sheet music (piano, vocal and guitar). Check out www.musicroom.com, where you'll find ten songs from Music Sales, with hopefully more to come:

You can view and prinnt the first page of each song.

OTHER LIVE NEWS

BULLY WEE Tour dates are as follows: 19th January - Ringwood Folk Club 21st January - The Brook Theatre, Chatham 22nd January - Topsham Folk Club, Exeter 23rd January - The Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham 24th January - Hitchin Folk Club, Herts 25th January - Nettlebed Folk Club, Henley On Thames 26th January - Dartford Folk Club.

HUD And there's a whole bunch of other gigs featuring our friend Mr Hudson on the drums with a variety of bands (the Good Old Boys, the Beaky Band, Repertoire Dogs, the Ali Mac Band and the Ginny Brown Band). For details check out the other gigs page

STRAWBS 40th ANNIVERSARY - 12/13 SEP 2009
THE LIVE ROOM, TWICKENHAM STADIUM

AFTER THE BALL IS OVER .....

Where to begin ... what a comprehensively wonderful occasion: two whole days of Strawbs' music and contributions from the Strawbs' extended family rushed by in a whirlwind of delight. Fantastic performances and splendid good company reported by all. A selection of reviews now posted. Also various galleries of pictures on the photo galleries page - click here - and below a shot from me of the closing extravaganza, Electric Strawbs, aided and abetted by members of the Royal Artillery Band, playing "River/Down By The Sea" and a deeply emotional"Where Silent Shadows Fall" from the new album.

Send your reviews, comments and photographs to

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MEMENTOS

For those who weren't able to attend, there will be some remaining t-shirts, programmes, posters and fabric bags available shortly from Witchwood Records. Details to follow.

DANCING TO THE DEVIL'S BEAT - SAMPLE EXTRACTS FROM ALBUM

Plenty of reviews and comments about the new album now posted on the site, check out the reviews page. Send your reviews and comments to

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Also, check out tthe sample MP3 extracts from the new album to whet your appetite on the download page

Release date now confimed for both these titles as 24th August.

You can no longer order the pre-release album/DVD package - these titles will now available separately

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