Free - Honky Tonk Women

[Tornfreedom]

Winter 1974, I'm sure my mates had an album called / by "Kossoff Kirke Tetsu and Rabbit". Is it extremely rare now?/ Is any of it on Youtube?. I also heard that Tetsu got so pissed (drunk) at times, they had to prop him up between 2 stacks of speakers.

I do so remember David Kossoff, Pauls' Father, as he did many radio talks on religion, and also remember him talking about Paul when I was still at school, which ended Summer '73, and I had the idea that Paul had died back then, for many years.

[forsheda]

This was just the remnants of Free touring Japan due to contractual arrangement. Kossoff was unable to make many of the Heartbreaker sessions and was replaced by a friend of rabbits called Snuffy. Hearbreaker is almost unrecognisable from the Free of Tons of Sobs although a very powerful album. The end finally came when Rodgers and Rabbit came to blows over leadership of Free

[ccbloody]

Is that Tetsu on bass,so where is Paul Kossoff?

[emperorsdragon]

I think this tour was a contractual obligation that the band could not renege on. Fraser had left the band and Koss was chained by his destructive habit.

On a side note, what ever made

Rabbit think he could sing?

[lozzerman]

seen free at cheltenham town hall re free at last,rodgers was propping up koss to stop him falling over. very sad.

[daijiro2008]

Koss died he was not kicked out

[BRADD500]

Koss left free to start a new band called Back street crawler, and Andy Fraser formed a band called the Sharks

[GOODY61]

@daijiro2008 You should read up on the history before you start making incorrect declarations about Kossoff's status in Free. Kossoff was actually removed from the official band lineup in 73 during the recording of "Heartbreaker" and listed as a studio musician instead of a band member. Free then disbanded after the album was released and they finished the Japan tour. Bad Company formed in 74 and Kossoff did not pass away until 1976.

[GOODY61]

@dmhughdie Yep, I'm generally familiar with your statements regarding Richardson finishing the last tour but I thought the Japan tour occurred in early 73 after the album release date and then Richardson joined Free on the US tour. The main point I was making to daijiro was that Kossoff was really out of the band before Free disbanded. He is stating Kossoff died sometime in 72/73 before Free disbanded and he is completely in the dark about Kossoff forming BSC and dying in 76.

[dmhughdie]

@GOODY61 The Japanese tour comprised only two concerts, Tokyo (22 July) & Osaka (24), both supporting ELP. These were the first shows with Tetsu & Rabbit after Andy Frazer's departure, and prior rehearsals were very limited. Free then played two dates (29/30 July) in Budapest, Hungary (also without Kossoff). I agree with your statements regarding Kossoff's departure, post-Free career & subsequent demise in '76. He certainly didn't die in 72/73. Just trying to set the historical record straight.

[GOODY61]

@dmhughdie You have the exact details where my information was general in nature, so kudos to you. My main point to the the person I was respnding to is the facts regarding Kossoff's death and the Free breakup.

[dmhughdie]

@GOODY61 I'm not trying to disparage your comments about Koss or criticise you at all. In fact, I do agree with you. All this activity with Free happened a long time ago and it's understandable that some of the detail gets confused, as we have seen. I'm merely offering specific information about the events relating to this video clip so that viewers can be properly informed. I'm not trying to impress anyone with my knowledge, I'm simply offering some detail about the Japanese dates. Can't hurt.

[121126]

to me this sounds great a real different sound from FREE .REMEBER THE SHOW MUST GO ON

[owenpetard]

I think the Free MkII band (with Rodgers, Kirke, Kossoff, Tetsu & Rabbit) could have been brilliant. Just listen to the Heartbreaker album. Here, with Rodgers trying to fill in on guitar and sing, it's not the same and when they later axed Koss and brought in Richardson, it was all over.

[whobeatle]

This lineup is interesting (the most hyperactive you'll ever see Rabbit Bunderick. :) ) This is a good band, but they are a step down from the original four members. Rodgers is a really good guitarist, but he seems shackled to the mic stand here, trying to play guitar and sing live for Free. Koss is missed here, and so is Fraser. Tetsu is a good bassist, but Fraser was incredible.

[nachodaddy]

Yeah, thanx for postin' this, but, it is sad. Free is, was, & will be Kirke, Fraser, Kossoff, & Rodgers, period. Any othr line-up was & will be lame, & that's being kind.

[ebecenti]

@nachodaddy Totally agree!

[cricketbat08]

I read before on youtube that Paul Kossoff had been unable to play due to substance abuse. Paul rodgers tried hard to replace him on guitar, but it's not the same, is it?

[punkhayhay88]

really? i heard kossoff could play the guitar that night because he had a head injurie,.....i think he fell over some chords on the ground or something

[Zimbib270]

This is not "Free" as we know it not sure what they are called but recognise Tetsu & Rabbit(dumb names) also simon kirke & Paul Rogers ((on guitar) did not know he could)), not sure others?

[lolzordz666]

Nice but I see that once again there's no lead guitar to speak of, with Rodgers few chords being no substitute. I assume that poor Koss was off his face again as at Newcastle upon Tyne in 1972/3, where they didn't even have the keys and continued as a trio with Rodgers on acoustic guitar after Koss was dragged off stage.

[thismonkeyisnuts]

This was very interesting thanks. Marred only slightly by the guy on the keys whose mic was way too loud.

[jpdb56]

Is there any more of this stuff from Japan? Brill..I bet the guy who did the 'complete' Free dvd last year is sick as a parrot. I never saw Free, but have all their recorded material.

John

[bluesplottboy]

Paul was an accomplished guitarist - I saw him play in the three piece band called "Peace" when he handled all the guitar and vocals.

[Mattiasgbg]

I <3 Frozenfish

[KeithTheKing]

They were opening for Emerson Lake and Palmer. Guitarist Kossoff cancelled last minute due to illness, so PR played the guitar parts. That's Rabbit Bundrick (currently of The Who) on keyboards, singing harmony on the choruses. Tetsu Yamauchi (with a future a few years later in Rod Stewart and The Faces' band) on bass.

[mnbv990]

Never thought this stuff existed!

[iagobroxado]

first time i see some of Paul R. guitar era on Free. great find

[richardcomo]

FF, I demand that you reveal your sources, you little beauty!!!

[jakemyson]

Keep them coming! Fantastic!!