Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2015 21:04:14 GMT -5
Free Bassist, Andy Fraser, has died at the age of 62.
Andy was an integral part of Free. Not only was he an inspirational bassist but one of the main writers for the band. He co-created many, many great songs including Free's biggest hit, 'Alright, Now'. For all Free fans, this is a sad day. He will be truly missed.
Free Live at Granada TV studios in England. It's about 25 minutes long but well worth watching. As most of us know, Free was a favorite of Skynyrd. This is one reason why.
Thanks to RVZfan for the PM about Andy.
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Post by Lynyrd Skynyrd Smokes on Mar 17, 2015 21:47:54 GMT -5
Sad news but he'd had health issues for many years, he was diagnosed as HIV+ several decades back, even so 62 is still "young". Very talented guy. Amazing to think he was only 16 when Free released their debut album, and 17 when 'All Right Now' (which he co-wrote) came out, that's some going. Maybe they were not acknowledged so much on the other side of the pond back in the day, but over here Free were (and still are) a much loved and fondly remembered band, and definitely one of the very best to come out of the UK from that time-frame. R.I.P.
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Post by MDfan aka The MD Well Man on Mar 18, 2015 5:01:00 GMT -5
Sad to here this Alright Now is one of my favorite songs
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Post by BlueMonday on Mar 18, 2015 8:24:51 GMT -5
Very sad news indeed! I didn't realize he was so young when he co-wrote that hit song! Wow! Free definitely never got the recognition they deserved on this side of the pond. You're right about that LSS. We're starting to lose more and more of those musicians from the 60s and 70s, and that will only accelerate in the years to come
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2015 8:35:09 GMT -5
Not only are these musicians dying, there dying young. Most of them seem to be in their fifties and early sixties. There not even old men yet. It's downright scary. Gary's health problems scare me too. I don't want to see him end up a statistic, too. Gary at a 100. Now that's worth celebrating.
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Forum Lord
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Post by Forum Lord on Mar 18, 2015 9:24:01 GMT -5
Andy Fraser, Free Bass Player & 'All Right Now' Co-Writer, Dead at 62By Colin Stutz | March 17, 2015 8:25 PM EDT Andy Fraser, the bassist of the English rock band Free, has died at the age of 62 at his home in California. A cause of death was not immediately announced, but Fraser had been fighting cancer and AIDS, Ultimate Classic Rock reports. "Andrew McLan Fraser passed away on Monday at his home in California," says an official statement via Classic Rock magazine. "He leaves behind his daughters Hannah and Jasmine Fraser, and their mother Ri, his sister Gail, brothers Gavin and Alex, and many friends and associates in the industry. "A survivor of both cancer and AIDS, Andy was a strong social activist and defender of individual human rights." Fraser was born in London in 1952 and co-founded Free at the age of 15. He had previously played with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Free was only active for a short time, from 1968-1973, but in that time released two Top 10 U.K. albums and had a massive hit with the song "All Right Now," which Fraser co-wrote. His career carried on, including the band Sharks and several solo albums, as well as writeing for artists such as Robert Palmer, Joe Cocker and Rod Stewart. Fraser was diagnosed with HIV and a form of cancer called Kaposi's Sarcoma in the In the 1980s. In recent years, Fraser had been involved with the Rock Against Trafficking charity.
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geoffb
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Post by geoffb on Mar 18, 2015 19:11:40 GMT -5
I am a big fan. Through his recordings, Andy has taught me a lot about the bass. RIP and well done.
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Post by TailGator DISCREDITED LIAR on Apr 2, 2015 12:06:41 GMT -5
Second that, geoffb. He was a virtuoso at such an early age, the predecessor to Jaco I always thought. I spent a lot of time dissecting his bass lines, and he was very much an influence on me. RIP, another one for that great big band up above....
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heathinvader
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Post by heathinvader on Apr 2, 2015 21:34:41 GMT -5
I'm a growing fan of both FREE and BAD COMPANY. I'm very sad to hear about the bass guitarist's death shortly after my having become a fan. In his memory, here's "Alright Now" performed live at the Isle Of Wight 1970 (Side-note, but Jimi Hendrix, THE DOORS, THE WHO, Bob Serger, and CACTUS featuring Rusty Day all performed at that gig as well).
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geoffb
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Post by geoffb on Apr 3, 2015 12:33:45 GMT -5
There's a band out of LA called Rival Sons that reminds me of Bad company combined with Zeppelin. Seen 'em once last year in Buffalo and they are coming through again next month. Probably going again.
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geoffb
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Post by geoffb on Apr 4, 2015 15:57:29 GMT -5
Maybe this will work
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Post by ronnievanzantfan on Apr 4, 2015 16:30:10 GMT -5
I'm a growing fan of both FREE and BAD COMPANY. I'm very sad to hear about the bass guitarist's death shortly after my having become a fan. In his memory, here's "Alright Now" performed live at the Isle Of Wight 1970 (Side-note, but Jimi Hendrix, THE DOORS, THE WHO, Bob Serger, and CACTUS featuring Rusty Day all performed at that gig as well). Kris Kristofferson played there too!
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