Along with CREAM and LED ZEPPELIN, FREE stands as one of the most influential bands of the late 1960's British blues boom. Formed in London during the spring of 1968, Free's original lineup included drummer Simon Kirke, bassist Andy Fraser, lead vocalist Paul Rodgers and guitarist Paul Kossoff. Kirke and Kossoff were heavily influenced by American blues artists and, as teenagers, joined in R&B band called Black Cat Bones. Despite their youth, Kirke and Kossoff were seasoned musicians with a strong and growing reputation among the London blues scene. "Kossoff," explains Kirke, "while only 17, was a serious student of music."
Kossoff's background had been classical and he had studied for years. But he also loved all of those great soul and blues records from America. Veteran producer Mike Vernon best known for his work with John Mayall enlisted Black Cat Bones to back Champion Jack Dupreee on the legendary pianists ..When you feel the feeling Album for Blue Horizon. Apart from their celebrated session with Dupree, Kirke and Kossoff grew restless and disbanded the group.
While scouting for a vocalist to front their new band, Kossoff and Kirke visited the Fickle Pickle, an R&B club in London's Finsbury Park. It was here that the two first heard Paul Rodgers, a young vocalist then performing with Brown Sugar. Kirke and Kossoff were immediately impressed with Rodger?s expressive voice and charismatic style, and recruited him for their group. "Paul owed a great deal to Otis Redding," recalls Kirke, "his voice had power and presence. We knew that he was - and still is - unique."
With Rodgers in the fold, Kossoff and Kirke, to round out their new ensemble, turned to one of their mentors, British blues legend Alexis Korner. "Korner was a big help to us," says Kirke simply. "Kossoff had been very friendly with him and Alexis recommended Andy Fraser to us. Though Andy was only 15, he had played with John Mayall?s Bluesbreakers, which really won our respect.When we first saw him play, he was sitting in with Alexis Band, wearing these flared trousers and ruffled shirts with rough collars."
"We thought, bloody hell, who is this little punk! But when he started playing we knew that he was really quite good. Impressed with Fraser?s abilities, Korner helped arrange an set up at the Nag?s Head Pub in Battersea," remembers Kirke. "It was great, a very fertile meeting. In fact, at that initial get together, we wrote six blues based songs. About five or six hours in, Alexis came down and stood in the wings watching. He not only gave us his seal of approval, he also gave us our the name: FREE."
Bad Company is our "Featured Artist" on Classic Artists Today, syndicated radio show, all week! We'll be joined by Simon Kirke (Free/Bad Company) and play a "classic" and "new" tune from the guys! For show times and how to tune-in, check us out at classicartiststoday.com
I play guitar in my band redpersona. See what you make of my tribute to free playing Mr Big live on sunday 23rd at the whitemare rock festval in cumbria.
Kossoff is my guitar hero and is always underrated, even not rated at all. All these programs on the BBC recently about blues and not one mention of free or kossoff, makes me puke.
I was listening to the deluxe version of Fire and Water earlier, I wonder if they will do the rest as such. I have all the Island remaster single discs with bonus tracks plus Songs of Yesterday box. I like it, but some of the BBC sessions.... Thanks for the add!
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