From Dave Cousins FB page:

JOHN HAWKEN PASSES

It is with deep sadness that I must tell you that John Hawken passed away peacefully with his family at his side at 2pm US Eastern Standard Time today.

John Hawken joined Strawbs in late 1973. His contribution to the Strawbs legacy was immense and with John on board Strawbs played consistently to the band’s biggest audiences. The breakthrough for Strawbs in the US and Canada was the 1974 album ‘Hero and Heroine’. The following 1975 album ‘Ghosts’ charted even higher in the Billboard charts. John’s keyboard work contributed greatly to our success.

John Hawken was renowned for his sensitive touch on the piano, most notably on ‘The Winter Long’ from ‘Autumn’. John became highly adept on Mellotron and Moog synthesizer, defining the backbone of the Strawbs sound.

John, I will miss you so much. Not only for your playing, but also for your sense of humour, which brought tears to my eyes every time we met up.

Gone, but never to be forgotten. Much love.