All things FREE. Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser, Simon Kirke et all
Alexis Korner, Peter Thorup & Friends Germany, December 16, 1971 Full unedited performance (47 Minutes). No visual 'effects' added There was a 16 minute edit shown on TV at some point, using just three of the songs (*). I think the show was called 'Sounds – A Session With Alexis Korner' . This had added 'post-perfomance' visual effects. 'Oh Lord, Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb On Me' (5…
Thanks to Angus for pointing this one out. Mike talking about his time with Koss and BSC starts around 20 munites into the Podcast. You can check out all the episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@RockinMalariaPodcast This includes the one below. Interesting stuff from people who were there. The video sharing is disabled on this channel, but click the link in the video box to go straight the…
Always nice to see Free mentioned, particularly when it's high profile. So, at Jack White's Chicago Radius show, on July 23rd, he brought out Chris Robinson from the Black Crowes and they performed 'I'm A Mover' . This can be found on the 'NME', 'Louder' and... the 'Rolling Stone' websites. Seeing it on 'RS' was a surprise. It's a wonder anyone there even knows who Free are! It's also on the usual…
I'd almost forgotten about this, but as the episode with this clip in it has just been on the 'U&Dave' channel (Series 6: Episode 4), I thought I'd put it up in case anyone hasn't seen it. We've mentioned Bob Mortimer a few times. For those outside of the UK, he was one half of a somewhat surreal nonsensical comedy duo with Vic Reeves (Jim Moir). Jim can now be found on TV painting, and he's very…
Birthdays for dead people... It's always a bit tricky, but as someone once said, 'people aren't truly dead until you stop saying their names' ... I agree, and bearing that in mind I'm happy to put Andy in your head, on what would have been his birthday, and in doing so help keep his memory alive. There are a number of albums by Alexis Korner that feature Andy Fraser, and indeed Paul Rodgers. They…
John “Rabbit” Bundrick Mr. Big Boss Man Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital Label: Suburban Records Release: 2026 Release date: June 5, 2026 John “Rabbit” Bundrick is a highly respected American rock keyboardist, pianist, and organist whose distinctive sound has left a lasting mark on rock, blues, and reggae music Best known for his expressive Hammond organ playing and soulful piano style, Bundrick…
Paul Kossoff on Bob Marley's 'Natty Dread' album... It's not as unlikely a proposition as you might think... I know I've mentioned Koss and Bob Marley before. I first became aware they knew each other when Eddie Baird told me he once went around to the Mews, and Marley was there. Bob was around at Island, and the Basing Street Studio, so that's not a surprise they had met. Remember, Rabbit also…
Premieres May 8, 2026 FREE performing 'Ride On A Pony' live at Beat Club in 1970. Full Video now up for viewing
Congratulations to Steve Ingless, who wins the brand new and unplayed Japanese 'Walk In My Shadow / The Hunter' single. Completely unmarked with it's inner sheet (lyrics on the back) and blue inner sleeve, inside it's original clear protective plastic cover. Very nice indeed! Normal 0 Q: On which record label was 'Tons Of Sobs' originally released in Japan, as catalogue No. FOX-7009, in 1969? A:…
Just a week left to get your entries in for the Japanese single competition. A brand new copy of the 'Walk In My Shadow / The Hunter' 7" up for grabs to all subscribers. The question is on the introduction page of the magazine (Page 2) and it's a pretty easy one to work out, especially as it's actually been featured in the past magazines!! The winner will be revealed here on April 2nd, and the…
Just a quick note to thank everyone for the messages incoming, regards the final FAS issue. I have to admit it's been a little overwhelming, but I'm trying to get through them, and answer everyone. I am aware many of you have subscribed for decades (some right back to the t-shirt that started it all). Among all the emails was one from my friend Dave Lewis, Led Zeppelin historian par-excellence,…
Paul Kossoff September 14, 1950 - March 19, 1976 50 years. It sounds like a long time, because it is a long time. Having put a tribute to Paul in the current issue, with some superb new and previously unpublished photographs from his brother, Simon, I don't feel the need to write the same thing again here. I think one of the best things I wrote about Paul's career, was the first thing I ever…
Andy Fraser July 3, 1952 - March 16, 2015 March is never much fun when it comes to writing about Free. Within 8 days there's Andy Fraser's death, then Paul Kossoff's, and then David Kossoff, his dad, and my friend. There are also some personal memories for me to deal with too, so a bit of a minefield really. It is remarkable that it's 11 years since Andy died. Where the time has gone, I can't say.…
Free Appreciation Society Magazine Issue #182 March 2026 Okay, so I'm just back from the Post Office, where I've dropped the final sack of FAS magazines. World ('Far Far Away') and Europe ('Far Away'), have already gone. Now the UK issues are also in the mail. As I said previously, it would be nice to think I could get these to drop onto UK doormats on March 19th, to remind you it's 'Paul's Day' ,…
Okay, just a quick update to let you know the new (and final) issue is in, and in fact the 'Far Far Away' issues are in the post (USA, Canada, Japan, Australia etc), as these always take a long long time to arrive. Issues for Europe will go out early next week in an attempt to get them to everyone at about the same time. It would be nice to think I could time the issue so it drops on your carpet…
Hi Everyone, Thought I'd better pop my head up and let you know the final FAS is pretty much done. I'm just sorting out the final tweaks to the contrast of things, so they can be read. It's always tricky getting the balance, and as the press stuff gets older it gets faded and yellowed, which isn't helpful! Anyway, with any luck this will be going to the printers in its final form next week, and it…
21 October 1946 - 4 December 2025 I was dismayed over the weekend to learn that former Free and Faces bassist Tetsu Yamauchi has died. He was 79. He played a vital part in the forming of 'Kossoff Kirke Tetsu Rabbit' , and was a solid foundation in the final days of Free, and on the 'Heartbreaker' album. He then went on to fill the gap left by Ronnie Lane when he quit (The) Faces. He filled two…
Addendum #1 Normal 0 (FAS #181 - Page 6) 'Little Bit Of Love' Alternative Mix Available only on the 'Completely Free' compilation LP
Normal 0 Free Appreciation Society Magazine Issue #181 December 2025 And so to the penultimate issue of the FAS magazine, and there's still a lot to cover. This time it's the more interesting compilations that have been released over the years following 'The Free Story' . That includes 'Free & Easy, Rough & Ready', and 'Completely Free' for the UK, 'Best Of Free' on A&M Records in the USA, and…
I've just collected FAS #181 from the printers, so I'll be packing this up over the weekend, and then getting the 'Far Far Away' issues out early next week, followed by the 'Far Away' , and then the 'Not So Far Away' . Funnily enough some of the issues for Europe are now actually in the post for less time than the UK issues. So where those located in this country can take up to five days to…
Okay, many thanks to Simon Kirke for picking the winners out of the 'hat' , and Phil Rice wins the Australian 2CD set, while Ged Wigglesworth secures the German 2LP version of 'The Free Story' . Congratulations to them. I'll get these into the post on Monday or Tuesday for you. The answer to the question; Which country announced a 75,000 'limited' and numbered edition of 'The Free Story' ? It was…
WHO REALLY NEEDS THIS? There are some things that happen that really make very little sense to me. The idea that I might want an album of cover versions by any particular artist or group is one of them. I can understand why someone might want to cover a song on their album, like Five Finger Death Punch covered 'Bad Company' a few years ago (2009), and they played it 'live' too. It's on YouTube.…
Okay, only a week left to go if you want to enter the competition that was set inside issue #180. This is open to all subscribers, and the draw will take place next Friday (31st Oct) with prizes being mailed to the winners on the following Monday (3rd November). First out of the hat gets the choice of either the German 2LP vinyl 'Free Story' set, that includes the Toby version of 'Travelling Man'…