OK, this is starting to bug me, as I've just spent time online looking up, ostensibly, the longest-running continuously active rock bands. And not one of a dozen or more supposedly authoritative sources mentions Hawkwind. Not one. There ae plenty of mentions for the Stones, obviously, although it's also possible to argue they weren't "continuously active" for the period from 1983-88. You'll also find mention of the Beach Boys (who haven't made an original record since 2012, and just that one in 28 years). The Searchers get plenty of mentions, even though their last album was 1988 (!), while various sources also highlight The Who (virtually no output in the past 20 years) and even Deep Purple, both of whom disappeared for long periods. Both Genesis (at least 2 periods of stasis) and ZZ Top (no album since 2012) are also often listed.
So what will it take for anyone to take a real, in-depth look at the question and decide that the ONLY continuously active band since 1969 is HW, and that Dave and Co. should be allowed to take this singular honour to their graves?
you could argue that the sonic assassins and hawklords were different bands but that is me being pedantic lol