Free were one of the best English rock bands of all time. They started out in London, United Kingdom in 1968 being fronted by none other than legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers. The founding line-up of the band also consisted of legendary guitarist Paul Kossoff, bassist and pianist Andy Fraser as well as drummer and percussionist Simon Kirke. The band is widely known for their hits ‘All Right Now’ and ‘Wishing Well’, both released during the early 1970s.
Free in 1970 in Amsterdam, Netherlands (seated at a table with legendary English vocalist, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood). From left to right, the band members of Free were: Paul Kossoff (guitar), Andy Fraser (bass guitar), Simon Kirke (drums and percussion), and Paul Rodgers (lead vocals). Next to Paul Rodgers, Steve Winwood is seated. Photograph credits: Rob Mieremet (ANEFO). Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Free was initially musically active from 1968 to 1971 and then once more, briefly, between 1972 and 1973. Their overall sound was a mixture of hard rock, blues rock, and classic rock. They achieved a commercial breakthrough with their third studio album entitled Fire and Water which was released back in 1970 (the LP, i.e. long play, which included their first well known hit ‘All Right Now’ which is a staple of British classic rock to this very day and will, very likely, be the same in the future as well). Their other major hit, ‘Wishing Well, was released on their last studio album called ‘Heartbreaker’ from 1973.
Throughout their relatively short career, the British blues rock group managed to release 6 studio albums and one live album, with subsequent releases completing their discography well into the 2000s and 2010s.
Rolling Stone magazine named them ‘British hard rock pioneers’. After they disbanded in 1973, vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummers and percussionist Simon Kirke went on to form yet another great British rock band, namely Bad Company. To this date, despite their relatively short musical career, Free still remain one of the most significant classic rock bands of the 1970s.
Their 6 studio albums are as follows:
- Tons of Sobs (1969)
- Free (1969)
- Fire and Water (1970)
- Highway (1970)
- Free at Last (1972)
- Heartbreaker (1973)
Below you can listen to my three all time most favourite songs from their discography. I truly hope you’ll like listening to them as much as I have (since my early teenage years onwards)! All the best, take care, and rock on!
- Free on www.wikipedia.org (in English)
- The discography of the band on www.wikipedia.org (in English)
- The official website of the band on www.freebandofficial.com