Free
Formed by teenagers in 1968 — named by Alexis Korner himself — Free built a spare, groove-heavy blues-rock sound around Paul Rodgers's voice and Paul Kossoff's guitar, then wrote "All Right Now," one of the most-played songs in radio history.
Musical Influence
Free's stripped-back, space-conscious blues-rock — a deliberate reaction against the era's tendency toward instrumental excess — became a direct template for Bad Company and much of 1970s hard rock, while "All Right Now" remains one of the most licensed and broadcast rock songs ever recorded (Kilde: Wikipedia).
Influences
Formative experiences
- •19 April 1968: First show at the Nag's Head pub, Battersea; all four members are teenagers. (Kilde: Wikipedia)
- •1969: Debut album "Tons of Sobs" released. (Kilde: Wikipedia)
- •1970: "Fire and Water" and "All Right Now" break the band internationally. (Kilde: Wikipedia)
- •1971: Band splits amid tension between Fraser and Rodgers. (Kilde: Wikipedia)
- •1972: Reunites to support Kossoff; Fraser leaves again mid-year. (Kilde: Wikipedia)
- •1973: "Heartbreaker" released; band dissolves permanently. (Kilde: Wikipedia)
Stories & Anecdotes
"The band's name was chosen by Alexis Korner, the founding father of British blues who also recommended bassist Andy Fraser to the group. (Kilde: Wikipedia)"
"Andy Fraser wrote "All Right Now" in a dressing room immediately after a badly received performance, specifically because he wanted the band to have a song the audience could actually dance to. (Kilde: Wikipedia)"
"All four members of Free's classic lineup were teenagers at the band's first show — Andy Fraser was just fifteen years old. (Kilde: Wikipedia)"
""All Right Now" went on to become a No. 1 hit in more than twenty countries and one of the most-broadcast songs in radio history. (Kilde: Wikipedia)"
Collaborators
Lead vocalist; later co-founded Bad Company.
Lead guitarist; his declining health drove the band's final split.
Bassist, co-wrote "All Right Now"; recommended to the band by Alexis Korner.
Drummer; later co-founded Bad Company with Rodgers.
Named the band and recommended Andy Fraser to it.
Watch & Listen
Free — All Right Now — Isle of Wight Festival '70
Re-Done by ME
Watch & Listen
Discography
| Year | Title | Producer | Studio | Label | Chart | Sales | Musicians | YouTube | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Tons of Sobs | Guy Stevens | — | Island | — | — | Paul Rodgers (Vocals), Andy Fraser (Bass), Simon Kirke (Drums) | Debut album, recorded when the band members were still teenagers. | |
| 1969 | Free | Free | — | Island | — | — | — | Self-titled second album, modest commercial success. | |
| 1970 | Fire and Water | Free | — | Island | — | — | — | Breakthrough album, reached No. 2 UK / No. 17 US; includes "All Right Now." | |
| 1970 | Highway | Free | — | Island | — | — | — | Follow-up to "Fire and Water"; performed poorly commercially (UK No. 41, US No. 190). | |
| 1972 | Free at Last | Free | — | Island | — | — | — | Released after the band's 1971 breakup and early-1972 reformation. | |
| 1973 | Heartbreaker | — | — | Island | — | — | Tetsu Yamauchi (Bass), John "Rabbit" Bundrick (Keyboards) | Final studio album, with Tetsu Yamauchi (bass) and John "Rabbit" Bundrick (keyboards) replacing Andy Fraser. |
Famous songs
External links
Booking / Contact
Free disbanded in 1973 and does not tour; guitarist Paul Kossoff died in 1976, bassist Andy Fraser died 16 March 2015. Surviving members Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke continue as Bad Company (see badcompany.com for their current tour dates). No current Free booking contact exists.
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