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Post by richardwoods on Mar 18, 2015 20:14:24 GMT
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Post by williammcgregor on Mar 20, 2015 12:23:28 GMT
R.I.P. Andy and thanks for the memories!
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Post by Patrick Coles on Mar 20, 2015 13:39:48 GMT
A wonderfully innovative Bass player - note how Paul Kossoff was happy to let Andy's distinctive bass open the solo on 'All Right Now' prior to his guitar solo, Andy was a magnificent bass guitarist whose 'sound' was so unforgettable
Sadly Andy, such a key member, later became almost the 'forgotten man' (not by us) of Free's classic era, the 16-year-old Fraser - who maybe due to his young age then felt the intense pressures of stardom all the more than his colleagues ? - was an amazingly 'mature' musician and powerful composer who co-wrote so many of the early classics with Paul Rogers ('All Right Now'- it's riff copied later by Steve Miller ! 'Woman', 'Fire and Water', 'Mr. Big', 'My Brother Jake', etc) and in truth the band, despite cutting later classic tracks of course minus him, was somehow never quite the same after Andy became first member to drop out, the original quartet had a unique chemistry that was just incredible
While Paul Rogers & Simon Kirke went on to further heights with Bad Company etc, and Paul Kossoff sadly was lost to us (& his so upset Dad) far too soon....Andy although later forming his 'Andy Fraser Band' and clearly so talented somehow never quite hit the same musical heights as in the original classic incarnation of Free, despite his clear musical talent and songwriting abilities.
I read an interview with him a few years ago in 'Record Collector' mag where he spoke of his contracting AIDS and I knew his health was going downhill - still comes as a shock as yet another of my 'musical heroes' of my (increasingly distant !) youth takes their leave from us...
hopefully Andy's influence on Rock & Blues will live on, his music (especially with Free) certainly will....RIP
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Post by Liam Joseph on Mar 20, 2015 14:30:12 GMT
The 70s musical heroes are dropping like flies, it's not fair! As Patrick said a great bass player whose playing gave Free a funky and syncopated feel that none of the other 'heavy' bands of the era had. RIP Andy.
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Kev Hunter
Member
The only difference between a rut and a groove is the depth
Posts: 625
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Post by Kev Hunter on Mar 20, 2015 22:07:36 GMT
As a mate of mine remarked, no doubt there'll be "Tons Of Sobs" at his funeral.
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