The Strawbs

Born in London’s 1960s folk scene, the Strawbs started out picking bluegrass tunes before discovering how electrifying acoustic guitars could be. Early on, they featured a then-unknown Sandy Denny, whose stint with the band led her straight into the arms of Fairport Convention—a crossover that has become part of folk-rock lore.

Another gem from their revolving door of talent: Rick Wakeman. Before he became the cape-wearing keyboard wizard of Yes, he dazzled audiences on the Strawbs’ 1970 live classic Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios—a recording many fans still treat as the moment Wakeman “arrived.”

Though their golden folk-rock years sit comfortably in the ‘60s and ‘70s, the Strawbs have never hung up their guitars. Led by the indomitable Dave Cousins, they keep touring, preferably with acoustics in hand—proof that some legends choose to age on stage.