FREE - "Be My Friend" - their best-ever version - live

[Stormonto57]

Paul Rodgers, mwah !!!!!!

[Waldi111979]

lucky those who seen Free back then. I cant describe who deep and mature are their songs. such a young lads (18-17 y.o.). amazing song and truely beautiful solo by Koss. back then music was fantastic and people full of love. good times gone...

[playfyte]

One of my all time favorite songs. Seems like, lately, I feel this way all the time. Strange, how the more you care about people as the years go by, people seem to care less and less about others. Still, a song like this reaffirms my faith. Anyway my love to all.

[MrNordertitoff]

@Blasty 109 Dude I was there too and Free blew Deep purple off the stage. The greatest blues guitarist that ever was IMHO

[asia190983]

it's sooooooo great :) i like it :)

[wotreally]

Paul Kossoff - RIP

[ch3rrysunbur5t]

Fuck... Kossof is cosmic, he played so little yet said so much more....

[blasty109]

AWWWW GEEEEZUS WHat a Great version a Real panty wetting performance !!! Friends say I do a pretty fair job at singing this But I am merely a festered pimple on the ass of Paul Rodger's talent !!!! I am So happy that I got to see Free live @ Randwick Racecourse in Sydney early in 71 ... Great feel !!!!

[incarnazione]

You are right.... nice one... thanks

[iwillbecreeping]

YES THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS.PAULS VOICE, AT THIS STAGE IS INSPIRATIONAL, HE ALMOST GOES INTO DESCANT . TRULY AMAZING.VOCAL TRAINED CLASSICAL SINGERS SHOULD TAKE NOTICE. I WONDER IF PAUL WOULD CONSIDER GIVING A MASTER CLASS

[iwillbecreeping]

YES THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS.PAULS VOICE, AT THIS STAGE IS INSPIRATIONAL, HE ALMOST GOES INTO DESCANT . TRULY AMAZING.VOCAL TRAINED CLASSICAL SINGERS SHOULD TAKE NOTICE. I WONDER IF PAUL WOULD CONSIDER GIVING A MASTER CLASS TO THEM.

[iwillbecreeping]

ITS LATE AND I AM LISTENING TO THE MOST INCREDIBLE VOCAL PERFORMANCES EVER..

I WAS BOUGHT UP WITH CLASSICAL SINGERS.BUT PAUL GIVES THE THREE TENORS A LESSON OF HOW TO SING I JUST HOPE THEY LISTEN TO HIM.I WONDER IF THEY DO?

[viperpreload]

Back in 1970 i was 11 years old and starting to think i knew stuff. I loved this band, and thought their music was fantastic, its great to look back at this video and see i had some stuff bang on. Back then a friend came back from the shops and told us he had gone into an independent record shop and asked the man if they had any "Free" records, to be gruffly told "we sell em ere", i still giggle today when I remember my friends’ youthful indignation at the man’s apparent ignorance. Oh delight!

[keithrose4227]

this song takes the panties off, play this for your girl!

[keithrose4227]

I feel like I had a deprived childhood because I didnt hear this band until i was 24

[professoricon]

@keithrose4227:

I know what you mean, in that I should have made the effort to see Free live when I could, although I did see Bad Company in 1974.

I also feel that way about never seeing The Clash live, when a short trip into London would have been so easy for me.

[RicardoMadGello]

@professoricon many songs best saved for later days... :)

[fromthe306]

2:48 WOW is Rodgers is just killin' it!!! awesome voice

[nkenyaYorick]

Right at the moment Paul releases his stress off of his voice, we see his genius brightly shines... This video is so much full of such shinings that we feel like being in a starry nights. Thanks for uploading this

[rbkpetroleo]

Simply great!

[canis65536]

By God, the guy's voice never ceases to amaze me. I do believe you are quite right, this is probably his finest work.

[impcirca1988]

Nice. Thanks.

[MickeyLove01]

All Right Now footage from TOTP

[robharding1957]

the whole package is complete,,the beatles,,,had it,, and so have this band,,

[mlarison85]

5 people don't have friends...

[eunsworth77]

i love free,, its like they wrote their music just for me

[clikityclak]

The only annoying thing about this song is Rodgers and his "Yeah!" " Oh yeah!" when Paul is trying to solo..

[professoricon]

@clikityclak

That can sometimes be annoying, but Paul is the best at that there is - I've never heard better.

Listen to my video of him doing a practice run-through of 'Guardian of the Universe'.

Or even on this video when he says

"Baby Baby Baby, that's all I gotta say ... so I'll say it again ... Baby Baby Baby "

[clikityclak]

@professoricon

Only really listion to free because of Simon and Koss

[rf5431]

Thank god for Free for giving us some of the best vocals and guitar playing ever. When you listen to some of the crap these days you just thank goodness for bands like Free, Zepplin etc, etc.

[lukemanify]

Paul is the best white voice for me. Just to hear this is something ...

[2bluefor1]

Yeah,Paul is very talented,probabaly only James Dewar could compare-mabye James was influenced by Paul or vice -versa...this is a very stirring version of this song,I'll have to find this on cd,add it to the collection.....Thanks....

[lukemanify]

@2bluefor1 Dewar on some of Trower's best works is great.

[Ms70sFlowerchild]

Awesome sound!!!

[LaurentziuRo]

GREAT music !

[Funkerman2008]

LIKE LIKE LIKE 

[MegaAvenger2010]

best band,best music,

n1 in the world

[rbkpetroleo]

How I love this music!

[wei461101]

SONG FOR ...JOE...AND...PENG.....MISSED ......

[acerb45666555]

sweeet!

[redbette]

baeutiful - I am far from religious but Paul Rodgers has a voice that is a gift from God.

[emittscool]

love this song...great bass guitar

[mlarison85]

No matter how many times I listen to this version I still get goosebumps.

[fesimper]

free is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stevewilks99]

just a brilliant track and great band

[doable1]

Paul Rodgers is the most under rated rock singer ever!!

[donzdonz]

I think that Pauk Kossof's solo is better on the LP "Free Live" - still loads of feeling though, please don't think I'm criticising !

[professoricon]

@donzdonz:

You could be right about the guitar solo, but the best thing about this version is PR voice.  It is truly inspirational.

[ledzrock]

@professoricon i agree on this one!

[ledzrock]

@professoricon i agree with you. Vocals is here really thought the bone. And the LP version of Free Live has a better guitar solo

[applebena]

My favourite Free song, just beautiful....thanks for posting

[MrWeyhey69]

brilliant !!! but lets forget about the firm and queen oh and later stuff by bad company

[tammysyl]

I s the singer Paul Rodgers? Sorry I just got to know this band!lol!

[professoricon]

@tammysyl:

Yes - it is the magnificent Paul Rodgers, later of Bad Company, The Firm, and Queen.

[tammysyl]

@professoricon Thanks professoricon... PR is a good singer!

[14spokin]

@professoricon

When listing bands Rogers was involved with, you must mention McGregors to round out the bunch

[Tornfreedom]

@professoricon And Paul Rodgers was in a band called Peace (Andy Fraser had a band called Toby) between Free and Bad Co; and I saw them both on the Same Bill, after pushing a Pram 30 miles for Charity (the only way to get into the gig). At Hornsea Floral Hall, circa 1970-1???.

[MrENGLISHBULL]

Greatest Live Band Of All Time......  :-)

[SUNSHINESBETER]

yummy! ... i could eat this :-) simply delicious.

[mlarison85]

He has so much passion in his voice around the 3:30 mark. He is the best singer in rock history!

[moimoiac]

Thanks for share it!

[BacTgirl]

Is "BBC Sessions" the same as the "Live at the BBC" CD? I rediscovered Bad Co. after seeing their Hard Rock Live concert on Paladia. Couldn't get enough of that VOICE so I moved on to FREE. Bad Co. is good but FREE is phenominal!! I want ALL of their recordings. I have Fire and Water and Heartbreaker. How many albums did they make? Thanks so much for sharing the videos.

[professoricon]

@BacTgirl:

I have three CD versions of the Free sessions at the BBC, but all three naturaly include the same core recordings, although the production is slightly different and the track listings are slightly different:

- Free Live at the BBC: official 2006 release, 2 CDs, CD1 = 20 tracks (some of which are different takes of the same track), and CD2 = 'In Concert' live radio broadcast recordings, 11 tracks fron two radio concerts dated 15/1/70 and 2/7/70.

[professoricon]

@BacTgirl:

- Free BBC Sessions (1968-1970): unofficial, single CD, 18 tracks, many of these are on the above, but slightly different production(s).

- Free Live and Unbroadcast BBC Tapes: unofficial, 2 CDs, CD1 = 18 tracks, CD2 = 17 tracks. Many of these are included on the above CDs, although the production(s) are slightly different .

[caraborera]

Fantastic job professoricon!

Great music, liked your video

[goarock1]

There are no more bands like this. Hey I'v seen Free a couple of times and so hippy that I did. The words in this are so good.

[SUNSHINESBETER]

unsurpassed, classic free..feel the feelin. rip koss x

[cricketbat08]

FREE #FTW

[aaszx1]

Andy Fraser was most important person in Free, not Rogers and Kossoff, he composed most of free songs and this one too.

[professoricon]

@aaszx1:

Possibly not. Andy Fraser was one quarter of a great, great band.

Paul Rodgers wrote some and co-wrote many other of the songs.

Free were also about the dynamism in the music - not just the songs.

They were also about the great voice and the great guitar and the great drums.

[mitchellringham]

@professoricon

I agree, you need all slices of a cake for it to be a complete cake. 8-)

[mitchellringham]

@professoricon

I agree, you need all ingredients to make a cake, you take away any crucial ingrediants and no-one will enjoy it.

[jguem]

Be my friend ** always :-)

[dio1953]

Free Forever.War  echt eine geile Band.Diese Music stirbt nie sondern lebt immer weiter.R.I.P of Paul Kossoff

[professoricon]

@dio1953:

es gibt nur einen

[latawie]

One of my favorite Free tunes...lyrics have spoken loudly to me over the years...a great band...Thanks so much for your effort and posting...

[averilleX]

Yeah, Free at the top of their game. Rodgers voice never better. Anyone know Dan Johnson off XFactor? His voice reminds me of Rodgers.

Seriously!!

[bowbridge1]

just been to see rodgers at sheffield,his voice is not as strong as it was //maybe he is getting old.like the rest of us.still 'the voice '

[EarCandyJar]

@bowbridge1 "his voice is not as strong as it was"

how ironic to read your comment, since as I am/was listening to a few early Free tunes, I was thinking that today's PR, seems to have lost that "X-factor", that mild raspyness one can hear in the "early works". I was just contemplating posting something along these lines when I read your comment.

Sadly, nothing lasts forever ...:-(

[professoricon]

@EarCandyJar - and - @bowbridge1:

Pau lost that raspy edge a few years ago when apparently he gave up smoking. His voice became smoother, but it was just as emotional and bluesy. I have not heard him live in the last three years so I do not know if his voice has changed again.

[Strokecity1]

Fantastic! Thanks!

[hdansin]

Koss's first note in the solo penetrated my soul

[ruffdiamondz]

Nicely done. Thanks for all these great videos.

[joetoronto]

ckiepper: Whether he would have, who knows, but I'll tell you this, he would have been exactly what BC needed, a real lead guitarist.

Ralphs was an awesome rhythm guitarist, couldn't really play lead though.

When you ask "would it have ever been made if PK lived", what is "IT"?

[HuntersChaseTheBand]

i think he means "whould bad co have formed if PK was still alive?"

[joetoronto]

Ah, well Kossoff much preferred the blues and Rogers preferred R & R, this was one of the reasons for the split.

So even if Kossoff was straight enough to perform at the time, I doubt he would have joined BC, but who really knows for sure.

[dkhogs]

I like a lot of Mick's solos. They fit the music which is relatively simple in the first place. Koss would have made it over the top though.

[professoricon]

@dkhogs:

"Koss would have made it over the top" ???

I think that you do not now Koss's work very well.

No lead guitarist ever played less.

[TennisUK11]

@professoricon Quite right! Never played a note that wasn't needed. Everything he did was not pretentious just great playing. Kossoff was unique!

[ckiepper]

Ok Ill jump in, think of it Paul K. died just 6 months into his 26th year. (Opinion here folks)

Clapton & Page in my view never really developed into guitar players they might have.

Question here would P. K. have joind Bad Co. ? Would it have ever been made if pk lived?

[blindboybenton]

How about another question..

What would Paul be like today if he was still alive. I hope that he would been able to reform Free is he was..

[wei461101]

THANKS professoricon.

[dudestr5552]

This is a great song. I have their DVD "Free Forever" which is a good DVD. I think Paul Kossoff is the most underrated blues-rock guitarist out of the 70s, or possibly ever. I don't quite compare him to Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, but Koss is certainly amongst my top-five favorite guitarists.

Andy Fraser was amazing on bass as well.

[maguskh]

Don't be so humble about Koss, dude.

Koss is not smaller or inferior to Page !

And the people who watch Free-videos surely love him much more than the arrogant zep-man.

And yes: this is a great song and a cool version of it - as well as Free is one of the finest bands in rock history ...

[JeffKnight]

A true classic.

[infinitebadger]

Great version. I was lucky enough to see them live twice back in the day. The two Pauls always get a lot of praise but Andy's bass playing gave them something very special and Simon numbered John Bonham amongst his fans. This was my "breakup song" when I split from my first true love and I couldn't bear to listen to it for 15 years!

[nachodaddy]

@infinitebadger

Aah, sane comments on here are so refreshing. Fraser & Kirke smoked!

[musikLmind]

hey! nice! love these old bands... Im a singer song/writer in 3 languages playing 16 musikal instruments...not realy into youtube life yet, but be patient & sub me. lol So PEACE & thanks for posting that. ADD ME

[bowbridge1]

got tickets 4 bad co in shefield wood like to meet u guys .please reply

[donottawaguitar]

nice and slow

[theholmes]

bigrider2806 - wow! I would, excuse my crassness, probably give my left bollock to be transported back in time to see that show (or any Free concert from 1970, for that matter; the year when they were at their collctive best, imo). Did you realise that night that something special and legendary was taking place? Or did it seem like "just another gig"? I would be grateful if you could share some more memories. :wink:

[bigrider2806]

@theholmes they where truly amazing. the whole thing was magical. Paul's playing ripped at the heart. i never guessed they would have been huge cause of the heavy blues in there music but i knew straight away i was in front of guinness !

[bowbridge1]

once again i listen to the best male voice in england.the more i hear the better he gets .anyone disagree.talk to me professoricon ??>

[professoricon]

Yeah - I disagree - best voice in the world at least (not just England).

:)

[bowbridge1]

how did u get this ???

[professoricon]

Originally it was on their (live) CD 'BBC Sessions'.

It has also now been reeleased as a bonus track from the remastered CD "Highway".

[dudestr5552]

@professoricon Is this the "Be My Friend - Take Two" off of "Live at the BBC"?

[professoricon]

It is, and it is also on the remastered CD "Highway" as a bonus track.

[bigrider2806]

saw them at sunderland when free live was recorded. an amazing night. rip pauul you left us to soon. your father was so proud of you !

[samsaricillusions]

Quite simply the best band ever.

They had it all, outstanding vocals, musicianship and emotion.

Most of all they made it work through bloody hard work and loads of time on the road playing gigs up and down the country.

The greatest....!!!!

[LarsInnala]

thanks, I have never heard this version - very good - slow and rough at the same time..

[mebloke69]

you´re wrong,this band is not underrated.

read comments and almost 40 years after their career they get new listeners,fans and only top notch comments,not to mention hear a sound of their music in a bar,restaurants,disco.........­!!!

[mlarison85]

Best band ever. Simply underrated. I should ask why isn't Paul in the RRHOF with any of his bands or solo? More talent that most of the people in there. Sex Pistols? lmfao.

[fbono19]

never heard this version of the song, and I agree... probably is the best one

They were simply amazing... I got some of the reissue cd with bonus tracks and never play a song twice the same... Koss got a big heart he plays few notes and everyone worth

[professoricon]

This version is now a bonus track from the remastered CD "Highway". I first heard it on an "unofficial" CD of the BBC Sessions, but the BBC sessions are now on an official release.

[geshtasb]

Professoricorn,

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. I am a big fan of Free but I didn't know this song...started off like Moonshine...

Nostalgic and beautiful

God bless.

Cyrus (a Persian fan!)

[geshtasb]

Sorry my comment was for your "Free me" video...

[Michiganman2cali]

The Dude is 60. Maybe he can only handle 1hr shows. He could be like Mick Jagger. Put on a long show and sound like shit after 2 songs

[impala327]

Rodgers kicks it, the snare of Kirke is juicy, Fraser fonks it up and poor Koss wails...

[karlforston]

Paul Rodgers and Stevie Marriot. Simply the best singers I have ever heard.

[scottd38]

all the old vids are pretty cool

[Bronzecaster67]

Thanks a lot ! This is my fave of Free songs , although i´ve never heard this one before. And Your right ; they were really in their prime here . Peaking . Koss as well ! Thanks for sharing !

[cleveroonie]

david coverdale must have been heavily influenced by free - check out "aint no love in the heart of the city" - whitesnake

[Blondi26]

Awesome...best version ever:)!!!

[handofate]

my best perfomance was a Croydon fest....

[ViolaFromBelgium]

Free c'est Fameux

[free1970iow]

number 1 song from number 1 band. good version

[preshy50]

I feel more stoned each time I listen to this. Amazing!!

[babsant123]

wow just looking at this old video, you were and still are just fab Mr Rodgers see you on Nov 6th cant wait. and as for koss well what can you say so so missed big hugs xx

[preshy50]

Going to Hammersmith too. Can't wait!

[morrellocherry1]

So what did u think? I was there too.

[preshy50]

I couldn't go, heavy cold. But I'm told he came on late and only sang for an hour

[Pussycatfeathers]

i think maybe he was ill too but like paul he wouldnt have wanted to let the fans down, i can only imagine this was the reason for the delay and the short show?

[professoricon]

I saw PR in Manchester (2006), the same tour as the DVD "Paul Rodgers Live In Glasgow", and that was also a short one hour show if I recall correctly. The other thing I don't like is when he doesn't sing the big hits, but waits for the audience to sing. He aso did this with Queen at Hyde Park. They also included too many songs sung by Roger Taylor/Brian May. It would have been perfection to hear him singing John Lennon's 'Imagine', but instead Brian and Roger sung three quarters of it.

[professoricon]

But otherwise, there is no-one better (and few can even match hiim).

[morrellocherry1]

The man is a legend and can do no wrong in my eyes.The show was bout hour and a half and worth every penny spent to get there. He was amazing. JUst announced tour dates for April I,m booking for that too.

[thuggish30000]

love.

[MireilleT]

Dear Paul Kossoff,

You died 30 years ago but I'm still thinking of you. I think of you every day. You made your guitar become part of you.

You are not forgotten!

- Mireille

[preshy50]

OMG, shivers or what? PR gorgeous even with the beard

[petalwing026]

Thanks for this gem...listening to PR on a Saturday night is the best!

[Skyman46]

Great song and the band as always is great however I don't think this is Rodgers best he doesn't sound as soulful as he usually does...just my humble opinion, love these guys and Paul Kossoff is one my favorite guitarists may he rest in peace.

[tartynut]

this must be one of Frees best work ever, love this song , saw them live in the early 70s and they were amazing , thank you for this masterpeice

[professoricon]

Koss called it their best song.

[wombleorc]

top stuff,deff one of the best versions i have heard,

nice work

[kossoff77]

great band

[madshadows830]

Other than The Beatles,Kinks and Small Faces.......Which were all 60's anyways.....The greatest band to come out of the 70's....even though formed in''68 lol.

[shazcat23]

xoxox

[GregoryEdmonds]

Good tune.

[SIRledzeppelin]

love this song always have!

[mairena99]

G'wan FREE! the purest & rawest rock sounding band ever.. thanks for posting this!

[SUNSHINESBETER]

FREE FOREVER.!!!!

[FedirSchys]

So raw...so beautiful.

[mlpnov]

So beautiful... thanks for posting this.

[theodorus45]

Love the Free sound,great band!

[Dieseldog6]

The best band ever.

[poperock7]

Just beautiful.......

[cazulu3]

The solo on the live cd is cool. The tone used is sweet.

[YingYangadang]

I can`t but say im in love with this band!!

And Sir Paul, has the most outstanding voice!

And they got that.. that SOUND!

[professoricon]

Check out my other videos for more of the same.

[SIRledzeppelin]

hey professoricon have you checked out fell to ground from swampfreaks?

[heedsdoon]

fell to ground by swampfreaks sounds like it could be a free song.