Free--All Right Now (1970)

     The group Free came together in April of 1968, with all four band members being under the age of 20. Bass player Andy Frasier was only 15, guitarist Paul Kossoff 17, and lead singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke coming in at 18. Despite this, all four members had experience in other bands. After six months, the group produced it's first album, "Tons of Sobs" which actually saw some action in the US charts, but none in the UK.
     Their third release however, "Fire and Water" was an excellent album, containing, "All Right Now", but a solid recording besides. It looked as though the band was primed for word wide success. It was not to be however as the group broke up in 1971 after a a follow up album that wasn't nearly as good, and a grueling tour. There was a period of time after following other projects, the original group again reformed and recorded another album, but Frasier left the band for good, and Kossoff was very inconsistent because of his ongoing struggle with heroin addiction.
     Kossoff would later form the group "Back Street Crawler" until his death from a drug induced heart attack. Frasier would be in several bands with limited success. Rodgers and Kirke would later form Bad Company who would dominate US radio in the late 70s.

  

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Bad Company---Can't Get Enough (1974)

     You don't hear the word, "supergroup" thrown about much anymore, but at one time it was thought to be a hope that if you bring guys from successful groups and put them together that it will automatically produce great music (or even less likely good chemistry...i.e. see Blind Faith). Most put together like that don't last for long for lack of a spark. Which just goes to show that what makes up a  good group is more than just good musicians. There are a few exceptions to the rule, and Bad Company is one of those.

     Lead singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke had just left the band Free, and along with Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell recorded their debut album in 1974. Rodgers gritty vocals and Ralphs blues based licks solidified their sound quickly and it rapidly moved up the charts. "Can't Get Enough" was the groups most popular single, but the album itself, along with it's follow up, "Straight Shooter" could be seen as classic albums of the 70's 

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Free--All Right Now (1970)

     The group Free was made up of four VERY young musicians. At the time of their first gig together in 1968, Bass player Andy Fraser was 15 (and already been a member of John Mayall & the Bluebreakers!!), lead guitar player Paul Kossoff was 17 and singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke were 18. In today's Disney tainted world of pop music, that might not seem like a big thing, but these guys were playing heavy blues music in pubs and clubs around England. Kossoff was already gaining a reputation as a fine guitar player and Paul Rodgers even at that time was labeled as "the voice".
      They garnered a strong following in Britain with a pair of straight ahead blues albums. Their 1970 release, "Fire and Water", was in a more straightforward rock direction and it paid dividends with, "All Right Now" reaching No. 1 in the UK and No. 4 in the US. In late 1970, "Stealer" cracked the top 50, but that was to be all that was heard from the group in the stateside pop charts.
       Increasing tensions between Rodgers and Fraser plus the extra burden of Kossoff's increasing drug use caused the band to break up in 1973, with Rodgers and Kirke to form Bad Company, Fraser formed the group Sharks, and Kossoff started Back Street Crawler. Kossoff died of drug related heart failure in 1976, Fraser recorded and wrote up until about 5 years ago when ill health has curtailed much of his activity. Of course, Rodgers has had a prolific career fronting several different bands and is now touring with Queen. The clip here is a rare black and white from Australia....enjoy.

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