Free
Free was a British rock band that formed in London in 1968. The band consisted of four members: Paul Rodgers on vocals, Simon Kirke on drums, Andy Fraser on bass guitar, and Paul Kossoff on guitar. Free was known for their blues-rock sound, which was influenced by artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Cream.
Free released their debut album, "Tons of Sobs," in 1968. The album received critical acclaim and helped establish the band as a major force in the British music scene. Free's most successful album was "Fire and Water," which was released in 1970 and featured the hit single "All Right Now." The song reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Despite their success, Free was plagued by internal tensions and drug problems. The band broke up in 1973, with members going on to pursue solo projects and collaborations with other musicians. Tragically, Paul Kossoff died in 1976 at the age of 25 from complications related to drug abuse.
Free's influence can be heard in the music of many artists who followed them, including Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, and Guns N' Roses. They are considered one of the pioneers of the blues-rock genre and their music continues to be popular with fans of classic rock.
Free I (1968 - 1971)
-
Paul Rodgers - vocals - b.
December 12, 1949, Middlesbrough, England - formerly with Peace.
-
Paul Kossoff - guitar - b. September 14, 1950, London, England;
d. March 19, 1976, New York City, New York - formerly with Black Cat
Bones.
-
Andy Fraser - bass - b. August 7, 1952, London, England - formerly
with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.
-
Simon Kirke - drums - b. July 28, 1949, Shrewsbury, England - formerly
with Black Cat Bones.
Albums:
-
"Tons
of Sobs" (1969)
-
"Free"
(1969)
-
"Fire
and Water" (1970) - Single: "All Right Now" (1970)
-
"Highway"
(1970)
-
"Free
Live!" (1971)
Group disbands. Andy Fraser and Paul
Rodgers go solo. Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke
join Tetsu Yamauchi and Rabbit Bundrick to form Kossoff,
Kirke, Tetsu and Rabbit.
Free II (Reformed) (1972
- 1973)
-
Paul Rodgers - vocals
-
Paul Kossoff - guitar
-
Andy Fraser - bass
-
Simon Kirke - drums
Albums:
-
"Free
At Last" (1972)
Andy Fraser forms the Andy Fraser Band, and later forms Sharks
(with guitarist
Chris Spedding). Paul Kossoff forms
Back
Street Crawler.
Free III (1973 - early
1973)
-
Paul Rodgers - vocals
-
Simon Kirke - drums
-
Tetsu Yamauchi - bass - b. October 21, 1947, Fukuoka, Japan.
-
John "Rabbit" Bundrick - keyboards - b. Texas, USA.
-
Paul Kossoff - guitar - Helped with some of the guitar work on "Heartbreaker".
-
Wendell Richardson - guitar - formerly with Osibisa.
Albums:
-
"Heartbreaker"
(1973) - group disbands
Group disbands. Paul Rodgers
and Simon Kirke form Bad Company.
Tetsu Yamauchi joins Rod Stewart's
Faces.
John
"Rabbit" Bundrick was a tour member for
The Who
from 1978-1982. Paul Rodgers
later joins The Firm, performs with
Willie
and the Poor Boys, and later joins The Law (with Kenny
Jones).
Compilations:
-
"The
Free Story" (1973/1998)
-
"Best
of Free" (1975)
-
"Completely Free" (1983)
-
"Molten
Gold: The Anthology" (2 CDs) (1993)
Hartman Recommends:
Free's 1970 album "Fire
and Water" (containing the hit "All Right Now") is a
great album, and I recommend it without reservation. If you're wanting
a little more, check out the 1993 compilation "Molten
Gold: The Anthology".
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Date Revised: May 6, 2000 |
