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{{short description|English keyboardist}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=June 2010}}
{{BLP sources|date=June 2010}}
{{Tone|date=December 2015}}
{{Tone|date=December 2015}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}

{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = John Hawken
|image=John_hawken_2008.jpg | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = John Hawken
| image = John_hawken_2008 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| birth_name = John Christopher Hawken
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1940|5|9}}
| birth_name = John Christopher Hawken
| alias =
| origin = [[Bournemouth]], England
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1940|5|9}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Keyboards}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Rhythm and Blues]]|[[Rock music|rock]]|[[progressive rock]]}}
| death_date =
| origin = [[Bournemouth]], England
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = 1960–present
| instrument = [[Piano]], [[keyboard instrument|keyboards]]
| genre = [[Rhythm and Blues]], [[Rock music|rock]], [[progressive rock]]
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[The Nashville Teens]]|[[Spooky Tooth]]|[[Third World War (band)|Third World War]]|[[Strawbs]]|[[Vinegar Joe (band)|Vinegar Joe]]|[[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]]|[[Illusion (band)|Illusion]]}}
| occupation = [[Musician]]
| years_active = 1960–present
| website =
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]
| associated_acts = [[The Nashville Teens]], [[Spooky Tooth]], [[Third World War (band)|Third World War]], [[Strawbs (band)|Strawbs]], [[Vinegar Joe (band)|Vinegar Joe]], [[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]] and [[Illusion (band)|Illusion]]
| website = https://web.archive.org/web/20051218101728/http://www.johnhawken.com/
| current_members =
| past_members =
}}
}}


'''John Christopher Hawken''' (born 9 May 1940 in [[Bournemouth]]) is an English [[keyboard instrument|keyboard]] player. He studied classical piano between the ages of four and eighteen at which point he succumbed to the lure of [[rock and roll]]. Hawken's first band was the [[Cruisers Rock Combo]] (1960 to 1962) but he is possibly best known for his contributions to various versions of [[The Nashville Teens]] (1962 to 1968). He was then a founding member of [[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]] in 1969.
'''John Christopher Hawken''' is an English [[keyboard player]], best known as a member of [[The Nashville Teens]], [[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]], and the [[Strawbs]]. He also played in [[Spooky Tooth]], [[Third World War (band)|Third World War]], [[Vinegar Joe (band)|Vinegar Joe]] and [[Illusion (UK band)|Illusion]], as well as being a [[session musician]].

He also played in [[Spooky Tooth]], [[Third World War (band)|Third World War]], [[Vinegar Joe (band)|Vinegar Joe]], [[Strawbs]] and [[Illusion (UK band)|Illusion]], as well as being a [[session musician]].


==Background==
==Background==
John was prompted to play piano by his mother Dorothy Constance Hawken who was formally trained as both a pianist and painter from an early age and passed on her passion for the arts to her oldest child. From a brief interview in 2005; "In 1960, I was living with my parents in Weybridge, Surrey, in the South of England when I joined my first rock band -- the Cruisers Rock Combo. The personnel consisted of Dave Maine (drums), Pete Harris (bass), Mick Dunford (lead guitar), myself on piano and three singers, Tony Gallagher, Kenny King and Chris Wing. We rehearsed (and occasionally played) at the Addlestone Youth Club (in the town next to mine)."
Hawken was born 9 May 1940 in [[Bournemouth]], England. He trained in classical piano from the age of 5 until 18, prompted by his mother Dorothy Constance Hawken, who was formally trained as both a pianist and painter from an early age. He took an interest in [[rock and roll]] and, in 1960, joined his first rock band – the Cruisers Rock Combo. The band included future Renaissance guitarist Michael Dunford.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to JohnHawken.com |url=http://johnhawken.com/welcome.html |website= |access-date=25 April 2022 |date=4 February 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204024719/http://johnhawken.com/welcome.html |archive-date=4 February 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Nashville Teens==
==Nashville Teens==
At the same time, Ray Phillips and Arthur Sharp were the singers in [[The Nashville Teens]] (who also rehearsed and played around the Addlestone area). Phillips and Sharp split with their band at about the same time the Cruisers split from their singers, and the new Nashville Teens were born. A little later, Roger Groome joined on drums, John Allen on lead guitar and Terry Crowe became the third singer. This line-up turned professional in 1963 and went to Germany (as many English bands did at that time) to play in the clubs (including [[Hamburg]]'s [[Star-Club]]).
In 1962, The Cruisers Rock Combo were joined by singers Ray Phillips and Arthur Sharp to form [[The Nashville Teens]]. John Allen soon joined on lead guitar after Dunford's departure, and Terry Crowe joined as a third singer. This line-up turned professional in 1963 and went to Germany to play in the clubs (including [[Hamburg]]'s [[Star-Club]]).


In 1964 (now minus Terry Crowe and with Barry Jenkins on drums) The Nashville Teens signed a management contract and recorded "[[Tobacco Road (song)|Tobacco Road]]", at the same time touring with [[Chuck Berry]] and [[Carl Perkins]] on their first tour of England. "I was delighted to be playing piano for both of them, in addition to playing the Nashville Teens set",<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to JohnHawken.com |url=http://johnhawken.com/welcome.html |website= |access-date=25 April 2022 |date=4 February 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204024719/http://johnhawken.com/welcome.html |archive-date=4 February 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> said Hawken. The band went to the US in late 1964 to play the "Murray the K" Christmas show at the Fox Theater in [[Brooklyn]] and subsequently toured extensively in England and Europe.
==Touring==
In 1964 (now minus Terry Crowe and with Barry Jenkins on drums) The Nashville Teens signed a management contract and recorded "[[Tobacco Road (song)|Tobacco Road]]," at the same time touring with [[Chuck Berry]] and [[Carl Perkins]] on their first tour of England. "I was delighted to be playing piano for both of them, in addition to playing the Nashville Teens set", said Hawken. They went to the US in late 1964 to play the "Murray the K" Christmas show at the Fox Theater in [[Brooklyn]] and subsequently toured extensively in England and Europe.


Peter Harris left the group in 1966 and was replaced on bass by Neil Korner, formerly of [[The New Vaudeville Band]]. Neil and John Hawken also worked together from time to time in a popular London pick-up band, Frankie Reid & The Powerhouse, which also featured [[Dana Gillespie]] on vocals and occasionally, the saxophone section from [[Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers|Cliff Bennett's Rebel Rousers]], plus John Knightsbridge on guitar (later of Illusion).
Peter Harris left the group in 1966 and was replaced on bass by Neil Korner, formerly of [[The New Vaudeville Band]]. Neil and John Hawken also worked together from time to time in a popular London pick-up band, Frankie Reid & The Powerhouse, which also featured [[Dana Gillespie]] on vocals and occasionally, the saxophone section from [[Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers|Cliff Bennett's Rebel Rousers]], plus John Knightsbridge on guitar (later of Illusion).{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}


Although subsequent records failed to equal the success of "Tobacco Road," the band worked steadily until Hawken moved on late in 1968.
Although subsequent records failed to equal the success of "Tobacco Road", the band worked steadily until Hawken moved on late in 1968.


==Renaissance==
==Renaissance==
In late 1968 former [[The Yardbirds|Yardbird]] [[Chris Dreja]], John Hawken and steel player [[B. J. Cole|Brian (B.J.) Cole]] were going to form a country rock band, to be managed by Peter Grant and produced by [[Mickey Most]], but they never got beyond the rehearsal stage. Dreja, aware that his former Yardbirds colleagues [[Jim McCarty]] and [[Keith Relf]] were putting together a new band, suggested Hawken as a possible member. In early 1969 Hawken got a telephone call from McCarty asking if he was interested in the new project. Hawken turned up at McCartys' house in [[Thames Ditton]], along with bass player [[Louis Cennamo]], Dreja and Cole. Cole and Dreja subsequently dropped out of the project: Cole went on to become a session musician heard on many recordings in the 1970s.
In late 1968 former [[The Yardbirds|Yardbird]] [[Chris Dreja]], John Hawken and [[Pedal steel guitar|pedal steel guitarist]] [[B. J. Cole|Brian (B.J.) Cole]] were going to form a country-rock band, to be managed by [[Peter Grant (music manager)|Peter Grant]] and produced by [[Mickey Most]], but they never got beyond the rehearsal stage. Dreja, aware that his former Yardbirds colleagues [[Jim McCarty]] and [[Keith Relf]] were putting together a new band, suggested Hawken as a possible member. In early 1969 Hawken got a telephone call from McCarty asking if he was interested in the new project. Hawken turned up at McCarty's house in [[Thames Ditton]], along with bass player [[Louis Cennamo]], Dreja and Cole. Cole and Dreja subsequently dropped out of the project.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leroy |first1=Aymeric |title=From Renaissance to Illusion —A Profile of the Relf / McCarty Renaissance |url=http://www.expose.org/index.php/articles/display/from-renaissance-to-illusion-a-profile-of-the-relf-mccarty-renaissance.html |website=Exposé Online |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref>


A short time later [[Jane Relf]] joined on vocals and Renaissance was born, with a line-up of Keith and Jane Relf, McCarty, Hawken and Cennamo. Live gigs included a tour of the US and work in Europe. This line-up recorded two albums, produced by another former Yardbird, [[Paul Samwell-Smith]]. Circumstances brought changes in the band, with Keith Relf, McCarty and Cennamo departing, followed soon after by Jane Relf. Hawken helped recruit replacements and, by the summer of 1970, the line-up consisted of himself with Neil Korner (the Teens' second bass player) on bass guitar, Michael Dunford (Cruisers and Teens) on guitar, Terry Crowe (from the early Teens) and Annemarie "Binky" Cullum as vocalists and Terry Slade on drums.
A short time later [[Jane Relf]] joined on vocals and Renaissance was born, with a line-up of Keith and Jane Relf, McCarty, Hawken and Cennamo. The band's [[Renaissance (Renaissance album)|self-titled debut album]] was released in October 1969, followed by an American tour in early 1970. During the recording of the band's second album, Keith Relf, McCarty, and Cennamo departed. Hawken formed a new lineup of the band with former Nashville Teens members Terry Crowe, Michael Dunford, and Neil Korner, as well as session drummer Terry Slade. After a European tour, Jane Relf left to be replaced by American singer Binky Cullom.


Hawken was contacted by [[Spooky Tooth]] (an English rock band) in October 1970 with an offer to join the band. Hawken accepted, helping his successor in Renaissance, John Tout, to integrate with the band before leaving.
Hawken was ready for a change when Spooky Tooth contacted him in October 1970 for a three-month tour of Europe on the strength of their hit record "I Am the Walrus" from their ''Last Puff'' album. But before he left Renaissance he helped his successor, John Tout, to integrate with the band. Tout, together with Michael Dunford, formed the nucleus of a more stable line-up, with vocalist [[Annie Haslam]], bass player Jon Camp and drummer Terry Sullivan, that went on to record many albums.


==Third World War==
==After Renaissance==
Hawken joined Spooky Tooth for a three-month European tour in support of their album ''[[The Last Puff]]''. After the tour was complete, Spooky Tooth disbanded.
In 1971, Hawken joined Third World War. Their [[singer-songwriter]] was Terry Stamp. The group recorded one album (the band's second release). The group also included John Knightsbridge (lead guitar) and Craig Collinge (drums). Hawken has recently started collaborating with Stamp and Avery. After a brief spell with [[Vinegar Joe (band)|Vinegar Joe]], whom he left in September 1972, Hawken joined Strawbs in 1973.<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book

| first= John
In 1971, Hawken joined [[Third World War (band)|Third World War]], with whom he recorded one album (the band's second release). The group also included John Knightsbridge on lead guitar, who would later join Hawken in Illusion.<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book |last=Tobler |first=John |title=NME Rock 'N' Roll Years |publisher=Reed International Books Ltd |location=London |edition=1st |year=1992 |page=242 |id=CN 5585}}</ref>
| last= Tobler

| year= 1992
Hawken also worked as a session musician, playing on Spooky Tooth bandmate [[Luther Grosvenor]]'s solo album, as well as projects by [[Claire Hamill]] and [[The Sutherland Brothers]].
| title= NME Rock 'N' Roll Years
| edition= 1st
| publisher= Reed International Books Ltd
| location= London
| page= 242
| id= CN 5585}}</ref>


==Strawbs==
==Strawbs==
After a brief spell with [[Vinegar Joe (band)|Vinegar Joe]], whom he left in September 1972, Hawken joined the Strawbs in 1973. At his audition, [[Dave Cousins]] introduced Hawken to the [[mellotron]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Baughn |first=Amanda |title=A YOUNG PERSON'S INTRODUCTION TO "THE STRAWBS" |url=https://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/features/jh_ab.asp |website=www.strawbsweb.co.uk |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> During Hawken's tenure with the band they released two albums, ''[[Hero and Heroine]]'' and ''[[Ghosts (Strawbs album)|Ghosts]]''. Tours included the US, Japan and Europe. In late 1975, Hawken left the band after disagreements over the more commercial direction that the other members wanted to go in.<ref>{{cite book |last=Romano |first=Will |title=Mountains Come Out of the Sky: The Illustrated History of Prog Rock |date=2010 |publisher=Backbeat}}</ref>
At his audition for the [[Strawbs]], [[Dave Cousins]] introduced Hawken to the [[mellotron]]. The band consisted of Cousins (singer/songwriter), [[Dave Lambert (British musician)|Dave Lambert]] (guitar), [[Chas Cronk]] (bass), [[Rod Coombes]] (drums) and Hawken on keyboards. Tours included the US, Japan and Europe. During Hawken's tenure with the band (1973–1975) they released two albums, ''Hero and Heroine'' and ''Ghosts''.


==Illusion==
==Illusion==
In 1977, the original Renaissance re-formed with Jim McCarty, Keith and Jane Relf, Louis Cennamo and Hawken. Unable, for legal reasons, to use the name Renaissance, they chose "Illusion" - which had been the title of their second album as Renaissance.
In 1976, Hawken and the other original Renaissance members began to work on a reunion. After Keith Relf's death, the band was re-shuffled, bringing in John Knightsbridge on lead guitar and Eddie McNeill on drums, with McCarty sharing vocals with Jane Relf and also playing rhythm guitar. Unable, for legal reasons, to use the name Renaissance, they chose "Illusion" – which had been the title of their second album as Renaissance. The group recorded two albums, ''Out of the Mist'' and ''Illusion'', before disbanding in 1979. In 1990, a further album of unreleased material was released under the name ''Enchanted Caress''.

Keith Relf was electrocuted at home while working on their music. The band was re-shuffled, bringing in John Knightsbridge (lead guitar) and Eddie McNeill (drums), with McCarty sharing vocals with Jane Relf and also playing rhythm guitar. The group recorded two albums ''Out of the Mist'' and ''Illusion'' before disbanding in 1979. A further album of unreleased material appeared many years later under the name ''Enchanted Caress''.


==United States==
==United States==
On October 29th, 1979, the Hawken family moved to the United States from the UK, and Hawken began playing with 'The Rocketmen' in [[New Jersey]].
On 29 October 1979, John, his wife Alexandra and their sons Barnaby and Jody moved to the United States from the UK, and Hawken went into a temporary retirement from music.


In 2001, the surviving members of the original Renaissance - Jim McCarty, Jane Relf, Louis Cennamo and John Hawken - recorded and released ''Through the Fire'' under the band name 'Renaissance Illusion'.
In 2001, the surviving members of the original Renaissance – Jim McCarty, Jane Relf, Louis Cennamo and John Hawken – recorded and released the album ''Through the Fire'' under the band name 'Renaissance Illusion'.


In 2004 the ''Hero and Heroine'' Strawbs line-up reunited, and undertook a number of tours both in the US and Europe, recording a new album ''Deja Fou''.
In 2004 the ''Hero and Heroine'' Strawbs line-up reunited, and undertook a number of tours both in the US and Europe, recording two new albums: ''[[Deja Fou]]'' and ''[[The Broken Hearted Bride]]''.


On 26 June 2008, Hawken announced his retirement from touring.
==Retirement==
On 26 June 2008, Hawken announced his retirement from Strawbs.


In October 2011 Hawken came out of retirement to perform with [[Jim McCarty]] and [[Jann Klose]] at Hugh's Room and This Ain't Hollywood, [[Ontario]] for two [[Chamber Pop]] Summits.
In October 2011, Hawken came out of retirement to perform with Jim McCarty and [[Jann Klose]] at Hugh's Room and This Ain't Hollywood, [[Ontario]], for two [[Chamber Pop]] Summits. In 2019, he joined the Strawbs for their 50th anniversary show.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cuervo |first=Judi |title=JOHN HAWKEN: Playing Both Sides at Strawbs 50th Anniversary Weekend with Judi Cuervo |url=https://strawbs50.com/john-hawken-playing-both-sides-at-strawbs-50th-anniversary-weekend-with-judi-cuervo/ |website=Strawbs 50th Anniversary |access-date=25 April 2022 |date=29 January 2019}}</ref>

==A near-death experience==
Fellow Nashville Teen Ray Phillips related a tale from the band's involvement with manager [[Don Arden]]. Arden was notoriously reluctant to part with money owed to his clients, and Hawken decided that things had gone too far. According to Phillips, John had arranged to collect £120 from Arden’s Carnaby Street office, but was given a cheque for only £20. Hawken, indignant, demanded the full sum, but Arden leapt from his chair, seized Hawken by the throat, pinned him against the wall and screamed: ‘I have the strength of 10 men in these hands’. The pressure of Arden’s fingers on his neck persuaded Hawken that this was no idle boast. Within seconds, Arden had dragged Hawken towards his second floor window and said: ‘You’re going over, John, you’re going over’. Hawken managed to free himself from Arden’s grip and fled from the office, having learned the hard way that Arden demanded respect.<ref>Garth Cartwright [https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries/story/0,,2133861,00.html Obituary of Don Arden,] ''The Guardian'', 25 July 2007. Retrieved on 25 July 2007.</ref>


==Screen appearances==
==Screen appearances==
Hawken appeared briefly in the [[David Essex]] [[film]], ''[[That'll Be The Day (film)|That'll Be The Day]]'' (1973) as the keyboard player in the band led by Stormy Tempest ([[Billy Fury]]), which also featured [[Keith Moon]] on drums.
Hawken appeared briefly in the [[David Essex]] film ''[[That'll Be the Day (film)|That'll Be the Day]]'' (1973) as the keyboard player in the band led by Stormy Tempest ([[Billy Fury]]), which also featured [[Keith Moon]] on drums.


== Discography ==
== Discography ==


=== The Nashville Teens ===
{{Empty section|date=March 2017}}
* 1964: ''Tobacco Road''

== The Nashville Teens ==
* 1964 : ''Tobacco Road''
* 1964 : ''The Nashville Teens'' 4 song single

== Renaissance ==
* 1969 : ''Renaissance''
* 1971 : ''Illusion''
* 1992 : ''First & Illusion''
* 2002 : ''Live + Direct''
* 2008 : ''Jane Relf & Renaissance : Jane's Renaissance, The Complete Jane Relf Collection: 1969-1995'' - 2 CD
* 2010 : ''Kings & Queens''
* 2012 : ''Past Orbits Of Dust''


== Third World War ==
=== Renaissance ===
* 1969: [[Renaissance (Renaissance album)|Renaissance]]
* 1973 : ''Third World War II''
* 1971: [[Illusion (Renaissance album)|Illusion]]
* 2005 : ''The First Album & Third World War II''


== Strawbs ==
=== Third World War ===
* 1974 : ''Hero & Heroine''
* 1972: ''Third World War II''
* 1974 : ''Ghosts''
* 1995 : ''In Concert''
* 2002 : ''Prince & Princess Radio Show''
* 2003 : ''Live In Tokyo 75 / Grave New World The Movie'' - DVD
* 2004 : ''Déjà Fou''
* 2005 : ''Live at NearFest 2004''
* 2006 : ''A taste of Strawbs''
* 2008 : ''The Broken Hearted Bride''
* 2010 : ''Live At The BBC Vol. Two: In Concert''
* 2014 : ''Prognostic''


== Illusion ==
=== Strawbs ===
* 1977 : ''Out of the mist''
* 1974 : [[Hero and Heroine]]
* 1975 : [[Ghosts (Strawbs album)|Ghosts]]
* 1978 : ''Illusion''
* 1995 : [[Strawbs in Concert]]
* 1990 : ''Enchanted Caress''
* 1993 : ''Madonna Blue''
* 2004 : [[Déjà Fou]]
* 2005 : [[Live at Nearfest]]
* 1994 : ''Out of he mist & Illusion''
* 2008 : [[Lay Down with the Strawbs]]
* 1999 : ''Illusion'' - Réédition en nombre limité
* 2008 : [[The Broken Hearted Bride]]
* 1999 : ''Out of the mist'' - Réédition en nombre limité
* 2020 : Live In Concert
* 2004 : ''Innocents & Illusions''


== Renaissance Illusion ==
=== Illusion ===
* 2001 : ''Through the fire''
* 1977: ''Out of the mist''
* 1978: ''Illusion''
* 1990: ''Enchanted Caress'' (Recorded in 1979, released in 1990)
* 2001: ''Through the fire'' (Under the name "Renaissance Illusion")


== Collaborations ==
=== Collaborations ===
* 1971 : ''Under Open Skies'' by Luther Grosvenor
* 1971: [[Luther Grosvenor]] - ''Under Open Skies''
* 1972 : ''One House Left Standing'' by Clare Hamill
* 1971: [[Claire Hamill]] - ''One House Left Standing''
* 1973 : ''Lifeboat'' by Sutherland Brothers
* 1972: [[The Sutherland Brothers]] - ''Lifeboat''
* 2007 : ''Meet The Smithereens!'' by The Smithereens
* 2007: The Smithereens - ''Meet The Smithereens!''
* 2018: [[Jim McCarty]] - ''Walking In The Wild Land''
* 2009 : ''B-Sides The Beatles / Meet The Smithereens'' by The Smithereens
* 2014 : ''Frontman'' by Jim McCarty


==References==
==References==
Line 147: Line 107:


==External links==
==External links==
*https://web.archive.org/web/20051218101728/http://www.johnhawken.com/ Official website
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051218101728/http://www.johnhawken.com/ Official website] (archived)
*http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/ Strawbs website
*[http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/ Strawbs website]
*http://www.nlightsweb.com/ Northern Lights Renaissance website
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080101030734/http://www.nlightsweb.com/ Northern Lights Renaissance website]
*{{IMDb name|name=John Hawken|id=1169032}}
*{{IMDb name|name=John Hawken|id=1169032}}
*https://www.discogs.com/fr/artist/912730-John-Hawken
*[https://www.discogs.com/fr/artist/912730-John-Hawken Discogs.com entry]


{{Strawbs}}
{{Strawbs}}
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[[Category:English keyboardists]]
[[Category:English keyboardists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Bournemouth]]
[[Category:Musicians from Bournemouth]]
[[Category:English expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:English expatriate musicians in the United States]]
[[Category:Strawbs members]]
[[Category:Strawbs members]]
[[Category:Renaissance (band) members]]

Latest revision as of 10:36, 16 April 2024

John Hawken
Background information
Birth nameJohn Christopher Hawken
Born (1940-05-09) 9 May 1940 (age 83)
OriginBournemouth, England
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)
  • Keyboards
Years active1960–present
LabelsA&M
Formerly of

John Christopher Hawken is an English keyboard player, best known as a member of The Nashville Teens, Renaissance, and the Strawbs. He also played in Spooky Tooth, Third World War, Vinegar Joe and Illusion, as well as being a session musician.

Background[edit]

Hawken was born 9 May 1940 in Bournemouth, England. He trained in classical piano from the age of 5 until 18, prompted by his mother Dorothy Constance Hawken, who was formally trained as both a pianist and painter from an early age. He took an interest in rock and roll and, in 1960, joined his first rock band – the Cruisers Rock Combo. The band included future Renaissance guitarist Michael Dunford.[1]

Nashville Teens[edit]

In 1962, The Cruisers Rock Combo were joined by singers Ray Phillips and Arthur Sharp to form The Nashville Teens. John Allen soon joined on lead guitar after Dunford's departure, and Terry Crowe joined as a third singer. This line-up turned professional in 1963 and went to Germany to play in the clubs (including Hamburg's Star-Club).

In 1964 (now minus Terry Crowe and with Barry Jenkins on drums) The Nashville Teens signed a management contract and recorded "Tobacco Road", at the same time touring with Chuck Berry and Carl Perkins on their first tour of England. "I was delighted to be playing piano for both of them, in addition to playing the Nashville Teens set",[2] said Hawken. The band went to the US in late 1964 to play the "Murray the K" Christmas show at the Fox Theater in Brooklyn and subsequently toured extensively in England and Europe.

Peter Harris left the group in 1966 and was replaced on bass by Neil Korner, formerly of The New Vaudeville Band. Neil and John Hawken also worked together from time to time in a popular London pick-up band, Frankie Reid & The Powerhouse, which also featured Dana Gillespie on vocals and occasionally, the saxophone section from Cliff Bennett's Rebel Rousers, plus John Knightsbridge on guitar (later of Illusion).[citation needed]

Although subsequent records failed to equal the success of "Tobacco Road", the band worked steadily until Hawken moved on late in 1968.

Renaissance[edit]

In late 1968 former Yardbird Chris Dreja, John Hawken and pedal steel guitarist Brian (B.J.) Cole were going to form a country-rock band, to be managed by Peter Grant and produced by Mickey Most, but they never got beyond the rehearsal stage. Dreja, aware that his former Yardbirds colleagues Jim McCarty and Keith Relf were putting together a new band, suggested Hawken as a possible member. In early 1969 Hawken got a telephone call from McCarty asking if he was interested in the new project. Hawken turned up at McCarty's house in Thames Ditton, along with bass player Louis Cennamo, Dreja and Cole. Cole and Dreja subsequently dropped out of the project.[3]

A short time later Jane Relf joined on vocals and Renaissance was born, with a line-up of Keith and Jane Relf, McCarty, Hawken and Cennamo. The band's self-titled debut album was released in October 1969, followed by an American tour in early 1970. During the recording of the band's second album, Keith Relf, McCarty, and Cennamo departed. Hawken formed a new lineup of the band with former Nashville Teens members Terry Crowe, Michael Dunford, and Neil Korner, as well as session drummer Terry Slade. After a European tour, Jane Relf left to be replaced by American singer Binky Cullom.

Hawken was contacted by Spooky Tooth (an English rock band) in October 1970 with an offer to join the band. Hawken accepted, helping his successor in Renaissance, John Tout, to integrate with the band before leaving.

After Renaissance[edit]

Hawken joined Spooky Tooth for a three-month European tour in support of their album The Last Puff. After the tour was complete, Spooky Tooth disbanded.

In 1971, Hawken joined Third World War, with whom he recorded one album (the band's second release). The group also included John Knightsbridge on lead guitar, who would later join Hawken in Illusion.[4]

Hawken also worked as a session musician, playing on Spooky Tooth bandmate Luther Grosvenor's solo album, as well as projects by Claire Hamill and The Sutherland Brothers.

Strawbs[edit]

After a brief spell with Vinegar Joe, whom he left in September 1972, Hawken joined the Strawbs in 1973. At his audition, Dave Cousins introduced Hawken to the mellotron.[5] During Hawken's tenure with the band they released two albums, Hero and Heroine and Ghosts. Tours included the US, Japan and Europe. In late 1975, Hawken left the band after disagreements over the more commercial direction that the other members wanted to go in.[6]

Illusion[edit]

In 1976, Hawken and the other original Renaissance members began to work on a reunion. After Keith Relf's death, the band was re-shuffled, bringing in John Knightsbridge on lead guitar and Eddie McNeill on drums, with McCarty sharing vocals with Jane Relf and also playing rhythm guitar. Unable, for legal reasons, to use the name Renaissance, they chose "Illusion" – which had been the title of their second album as Renaissance. The group recorded two albums, Out of the Mist and Illusion, before disbanding in 1979. In 1990, a further album of unreleased material was released under the name Enchanted Caress.

United States[edit]

On 29 October 1979, John, his wife Alexandra and their sons Barnaby and Jody moved to the United States from the UK, and Hawken went into a temporary retirement from music.

In 2001, the surviving members of the original Renaissance – Jim McCarty, Jane Relf, Louis Cennamo and John Hawken – recorded and released the album Through the Fire under the band name 'Renaissance Illusion'.

In 2004 the Hero and Heroine Strawbs line-up reunited, and undertook a number of tours both in the US and Europe, recording two new albums: Deja Fou and The Broken Hearted Bride.

On 26 June 2008, Hawken announced his retirement from touring.

In October 2011, Hawken came out of retirement to perform with Jim McCarty and Jann Klose at Hugh's Room and This Ain't Hollywood, Ontario, for two Chamber Pop Summits. In 2019, he joined the Strawbs for their 50th anniversary show.[7]

Screen appearances[edit]

Hawken appeared briefly in the David Essex film That'll Be the Day (1973) as the keyboard player in the band led by Stormy Tempest (Billy Fury), which also featured Keith Moon on drums.

Discography[edit]

The Nashville Teens[edit]

  • 1964: Tobacco Road

Renaissance[edit]

Third World War[edit]

  • 1972: Third World War II

Strawbs[edit]

Illusion[edit]

  • 1977: Out of the mist
  • 1978: Illusion
  • 1990: Enchanted Caress (Recorded in 1979, released in 1990)
  • 2001: Through the fire (Under the name "Renaissance Illusion")

Collaborations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Welcome to JohnHawken.com". 4 February 2005. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Welcome to JohnHawken.com". 4 February 2005. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  3. ^ Leroy, Aymeric. "From Renaissance to Illusion —A Profile of the Relf / McCarty Renaissance". Exposé Online. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  4. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 242. CN 5585.
  5. ^ Baughn, Amanda. "A YOUNG PERSON'S INTRODUCTION TO "THE STRAWBS"". www.strawbsweb.co.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  6. ^ Romano, Will (2010). Mountains Come Out of the Sky: The Illustrated History of Prog Rock. Backbeat.
  7. ^ Cuervo, Judi (29 January 2019). "JOHN HAWKEN: Playing Both Sides at Strawbs 50th Anniversary Weekend with Judi Cuervo". Strawbs 50th Anniversary. Retrieved 25 April 2022.

External links[edit]

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