ABOUT
Free was an English hard/blues rock band renowned for their many live performances that became famous during the early 1970s. Best known for the rousing "All Right Now" (1970), which made the U.S. and U.K. Top 5 and topped the charts in many other countries worldwide, other hits include "Stealer" (1970) and "Wishing Well" (1973), the latter of which made the U.K. Top 10.
Formed in London in 1968 while all the members were still in their teens, the original lineup consisted of Andy Fraser (bass guitar, keyboards, piano, rhythm guitar), Simon Kirke (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Paul Kossoff (lead guitar), and lead singer Paul Rodgers (keyboards, piano, guitars), with some personnel changes beginning in 1972. The success of "All Right Now" helped win them a slot at the historic 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, the largest musical event at that time with an audience larger than that of Woodstock. In the early 1970s, Free become one of the best-selling British blues rock groups, and by the time they split in 1973, they had sold over 20 million records worldwide and had performed at more than 700 arenas and festivals. A longtime staple of classic rock radio, "All Right Now" entered ASCAP's One Million airplay singles club in 1989 and won a Million Air award from BMI London in 2006 for 3 million air plays in the U.S.
LINKS
- The BBC remembers Free bassist Andy Fraser.
- Premier Guitar remembers Free lead guitarist Paul Kossoff.
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SONGS
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Free
- All Right Now 1970
(This song later also became a hit for Lea Roberts (1975), Rod Stewart (1985), and Pepsi & Shirlie (1988).)
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