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

[@nickbryan8555]

I was listening to this when it first came out in 1970. I'm still listening to it today in April of 2021. Enough said.

[@torfrida6663]

Me too. Those were the days of immortal music.

[@hrhrae1959]

I first heard it in 1973, in India. We always got music a little later. But I've been listening to it ever since.

[@billyhong5071]

Sam!

[@jamescourt4703]

Same as. I was 16 when I first heard this gem. Now 52 years later it sounds just as good.

[@richardyoung7415]

I WAS A 16 YEAR OLD TEENAGER WHEN THIS CAME OUT I,M A 69 YEAR OLD TEENAGER STILL LISTENING A GEM . PEACE TO YOU ALL MY FRIEND'S. 🙏✌️😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@richardc2496]

Andy Fraser’s bass playing is always overlooked and is top,top class!!!

[@waltersobera6361]

As a song writer as well.

[@woody816]

No its not, anyone with one ear can hear his bass absolutely kills it in most free songs. Remember he was only 15 aswell. What a FUCKING band

[@1960gal]

Actually I've been listening to loads of Free (especially their live stuff) on here over the past few months. Repeatedly. I think I've been really listening to Andy's bass more so since listening to 'Mr Big'....absolutely brilliant. I love his stance. Loved Free since l was about 12. I really liked bluesy rock and blurs guitarists. l was a massive Faces fan from the age of 11 (first 3ver gig l went to aged 13). Nothing odd in that? Well it was a bit, cos most of my girlfriends were into The Osmonds and David Cassidy!😊 Paul Rodgers' voice: sublime. (lol...this audience looks like its made up all my newly-qualified teachers at my S.E London Comprehensive in 1972!!😂😂)

[@nataliereed4757]

Top notch bass player in my opinion. Those bass lines in this one and Mr Big are killer!

[@jadrankabelancic1957]

2023. Still love them... ❤️👌 I'm 66..Nice regards from Croatia ❤️

[@claudiosabio60]

Também tenho 67 anos e ainda é a minha banda preferida desde meus 16 anos

[@portcullis5622]

​@@claudiosabio60Mine too, since I discovered them nearly 45 years ago.

[@56marysia]

I was deprived most of my life since I am 56 and just discovered Free. They are trully equals Led Zeppelin. And Pauls Kossoff guitar riffs gives me chill.

[@DhirenJ2009]

Likewise 👍🏻👍🏻

[@markhunter8554]

Imagine Robert Plant admitting that Free was the equal of Led Zeppelin. 😊

[@donjohn2695]

Free was better than Zeppelin

[@raniedoyle9846]

They are better than led Zeppelin

[@neillbaxter9613]

Led Zeppelin if they took a minimalistic approach

[@sandranix9615]

Fab collage of early Paul Rodgers genius voice

[@RonnieOBrien-t8f]

Im 66 this year and have never heard any music that could touch the quality of Free and never will cheers. Ronnie O 👌

[@eddieobrien1411]

Free did Rock,with SOUL

[@fransvanprooye1446]

Paul Rodgers? The best of the best!

[@yvoheaton6402]

They are the ultimate band in every respect. Was so very fortunate to see them play at Eel Pie Island and the Marquee when right at the top of their game. Rodgers has more soul in his voice than almost anyone. Koss brings a tone from his playing that no-one can match. Kirke lays such a simple but solid beat. It drives everyting. As for Fraser, untouchable. Put altogether and you have musical magic!

[@keithmilburn4866]

One of the best blues rock bands ever

[@cricketbat09]

Free were one of the best bands ever.

[@turboplazz]

the best band ever.

[@dankowalski6925]

No doubt

[@donjohn2695]

Greatest blues rock band ever

[@manonymous4737]

I first heard about Paul Kossoff in 1986 from his father, who used to go around schools in England and give a talk/performance/play about his son and how heroin killed him. I have been a huge fan ever since.

[@sharontalley2155]

Paul Rodgers has the best voice and most passion than anyone else in the business. Best- looking guy on the planet. He gives everything he's got to every performance. Love this guy.

[@dianafab4096]

I Agree 100%! Paul Is Simply The Best! The Voice Of Rock&Roll! 💘 Paul Rodgers!

[@moose6676]

Paul Rodgers got to be the best Rock singer ever. Brilliant tune.

[@dianafab4096]

Paul Is The Simply The Best! The Voice Of Rock&Roll! I Think Paul Is Way Better Than Robert Plant!

[@dianafab4096]

@cuchulainn3474 Both Are Great Vocalists! I Prefer Paul Rodgers Over Robert Plant! Yes Paul Sings The Blue's! Also Multi Talented! Plays Instruments! Thank GOD They Are Still Around Making Music! Long Live Rock&Roll!

[@donjohn2695]

I agree with you 100%

[@caesarsmith4711]

Maybe next to Steve Marriot and Ian Gillan

[@govtom4]

Agreeing 100% from here in Texas. Cheers, bro.

[@frankstecker5675]

Free the best Rock Band all time..

[@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!

[@alexvagias5295]

Where did you see them-England?

[@KKTR3]

It’s incredible

[@mojobag01]

The perfect rock ballad. Fraser was an extraordinary songwriter as well as being a sublime bassist. You had so much talent Andy. Goodbye.

[@maddie8734]

Words can’t describe how much I love Paul Rodgers. His voice and beauty is mesmerizing

[@briansward08]

Could sing the phone book.

[@deborahrobertson8606]

You're not alone! I remember watching them on TOTP when I was a little girl. Knew instantly that they had IT!!

[@donjohn2695]

The greatest rock vocalist EVER Mr Paul Rodgers

[@mebloke69]

paul kossoff is a lighthouse for those who need beauty of music

[@alanmcclelland5245]

This is what the word 'groove ' stands for.

[@rosemarysmith7900]

I am 75 years old. Tons of Sobs the best album ever. I had this when it first came out

[@FredSluiter]

I'm 80 totally agree with you ! Can't can't enough of that album !

[@stevewalters6853]

I’m 67 and just told my family “ All Right Now “ was the song that took me down the rock rabbit hole my whole life Free started it all.

[@karlforston]

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

[@martinclayton7260]

Try listening to Terry Reid, his voice is somewhere between Steve Marriott, Paul Rogers, and Rod Stewart.

[@ln8300]

John fogerty as well

[@davidhawthorne8325]

Saw them on the Isle of Wight 1970 great memory.

[@johnfloyd4166]

A soulful band..never again will we we see this....

[@ozzywilliams8903]

Rodgers best singer in the last 60 years that i have heard a few close seconds but he is still doing it now what a legend

[@professor-productions]

IMHO: Only Stevie Wonder might be better (that I have heard), but his catalogue of great (blues/soul) recordings is much smaller.

[@kellyhopkins5576]

Everything about this song is so damn good.

[@obbor4]

The ultimate "less is more" attack to music. Just played enough to keep the feeling, and mood, alive eternally. No musical wanking allowed. This is how you make music that you won't be embarrassed to still listen to until the very end...

[@The.extra_chromosome]

obbor4 he deserved the title slowhand

[@stuanhay]

Couldn't have said it better, Obbor4:-)

[@yvore1]

OBBOR,, WHAT A FANTASTIC COMMENT !!!! CHEERS MATE!!

[@TheNaKio]

... till the very end.

[@briangriffin6972]

I had the privilege of seeing these live, Amazing how their music doesn't seem to have aged!!!

[@rockhead69]

Spectacular...one of the greatest bands ever...Paul's voice is unique and Kossoff's guitar playing packs as much feel as Page's.

[@ЛюбовьЭренгард]

Как жаль, что я их только сейчас открыла для себя. Гениальная группа!

[@professor-productions]

Как жаль, что я их только сейчас открыла для себя. Гениальная группа!

[@ruthtaylor5253]

So was I ..it’s now 2023…uk best band

[@stevetarrant4805]

Always puts a lump in my throat, when I see Paul kossoff .

[@johnfloyd4166]

Just 25 years old...gutted...rip Paul

[@pauljones8218]

so sad that the drugs won rip paul

[@lornz5374]

what a voice..

[@bambis46]

Jesus I MISS bands and singing like this!

[@pete7364]

Agree today's musicians don't hold a candle to bands like Free, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, Cream, Hendrix etc .............the list is endless

[@pete7364]

How I wish for late 60's early 70's music scene

[@eily_b]

Listen to Greta van Fleet or Kaleo. Young Rock bands. :)

[@dervaig99]

Saw them around 1970 in Green's Playhouse in Glasgow. Sutherland Bros as support. 45 minutes late on stage, when they came, everyone was on their feet. Then on the seats, then on the armrests - at the end of the concert, we were standing with one foot on the back of our own seat and the other on the back of the seat in front, and everyone supported each other. I have seen the Who, Zeppelin, the Stones, etc. - this was the best live concert I have ever seen.

[@blake7067]

dervaig99 Free were better than Zeppelin??

[@twomindz79]

How times in England changed in a few years. The Doors toured in SEpt. 1968 and the crowd were seated with their minds blown. The 1970's brought the crowd participation.

[@jonsouthgen]

@@blake7067 ..This concert was epic.Saw Led Zep at the same venue two years later,Stairway and all. Believe me Rodgers and Kossoff blue the roof off. Absolutely magnificent.Seen a few hundred gigs since ..none better.

[@blake7067]

jonsouthgen ah yea Rogers etc were the business..great stuff!

[@gregperry8181]

dervaig99 Hi , the most underrated band of that era. I went to see them in Philly 1073 with Traffic. They announced that a band member broke his arm on the subway. I thinkMr. Kossoff probably broke the record for heroine consumption.

[@JC33Adoni]

I was a kid when Free were around, they simply for me were and are the greatest band in the world, 50 odd years later I still feel the same, I miss real music, real musicians, I know there are great artists out there but they don't make them like this anymore.

[@freddyeltigre2327]

I'm 80 but Koss still puts goose bumps down my legs, Free a group that rocks your very soul! R.I.P. Koss and Andy !

[@mycill100]

Without doubt one of their finest song ,what a voice,what a guitar player Paul Kossoff was got to one of the best of all time,Andy Fraser's bass was outstanding,Simon Kirke just just banged out that beat .I was privileged enough to have seen them in 1972 at Liverpool stadium quality band.

[@waltconrad4798]

2023 and still rocking

[@haroldwalton932]

Voice (as in what a great one.)....not a cliched "rock" performance in sight!

[@patrickdoake6022]

Get where i belong, i love you so another 2 great ballads, many others too, freed my mind and my soul, still do ☮️

[@sarahworth3515]

Every version of every song always amazes me. His voice is sublime. But all band members were incredible. And what a name for a band - Free were the best and I don’t see that changing 😍

[@dbrutiger8232]

I love this song until the very end

[@joeybenoit6269]

Paul Rodgers got it! To the Bone to the Bone! Rock has never seen a lead vocalist like Paul!!! Fact!

[@rainertrebbin-vf7nt]

❤Free❤

[@vintagetone22]

I love the 70s.the best era for music.lately i visited the place were paul kossoff lived in and the wall he took the picture of tge album back street crawler.this man was one of the greatest ever lived.2023 and im still listening to free.👍👍⚘🌷🌷🤟🤟🤟🤟🙏🤟🙏🤟❤❤

[@dankowalski6925]

Paul has never sung this song the same twice. Actually I don’t think he’s ever sang a song the same twice. He’s a special dude. They all are and were

[@markymarco2570]

Sometimes it's so good that I forget to hit the like button.

[@chipdippelstein]

Thanks for the reminder!

[@markymarco2570]

Sure thing!

[@kelvinkiat9814]

Damnnnnnnnn right brother

[@zepgirl6489]

That voice.......gives me goosebumps every time I hear Paul sing! Such passion and soul in every lyric, note, chord and beat!

[@mlarison85]

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

[@familyhaynie5010]

SOUL OVERLOAD!!!! it gives me chills

[@stonkersteve]

So many bands have tried and all failed to capture the rawness and class in every department. Brilliant.

[@Rickyrocksrecords]

Free forever

[@joeybenoit6269]

This is as deep and raw as it could be! They dug down deep! And came up with gold!

[@Blueforlifefry]

If I was granted one wish as to what blues singer Id like to sound like, there'd be no contest, Paul Rodgers everytime...

[@riffcodger]

Their IOW performance still haunts me. I was mesmerised by it. Fantastico

[@Steve-wx9gl]

a good vocalist I can listen to all day Rodgers I can listen to forever pure rock voice Free say it all

[@avalondreaming1433]

This band was just pure talent!

[@cazulu3]

Clarity of Kossoffs guitar in this version is great. Can't go past the Free Live CD version, the solo in that is superb.

[@yaz1197]

Russian guitar player Kossoff simply amazing! His minimalism is inimitable!

[@helenbarber5980]

I wonder if he spoke Russian ?

[@yaz1197]

@@helenbarber5980 His grandparents spoke Russian. Maybe the parents more or less knew Russian, but Paul himself most likely did not speak, I guess.

[@helenbarber5980]

@@yaz1197 Was his Mum Russian ,I'm guessing that she wasn't, that's what happened in my family - my Father was Polish and my Mum was Welsh so unfortunately my Father did'nt teach us his language

[@Codex7777]

"Russian" lol. I think the correct term you're reaching for is "British". :)

[@jamiewarriorwarlordmccallu5712]

could be free most underrated song, i love the rawness of this song,so sad and beautiful,we all need that special friend to give that helping hand,relief when we get it,sad when we don't,the vocals from paul rodgers so magic and the best rock frontman left alive,free the kings of blues rock.

[@parthoghosh5809]

Love them Guys❤am listening to this lovely song in 2023 n still loving it ❤ 😍 💕 💖

[@kevinrudisill1087]

I've heard a lot of good music in my 53 years on Earth. But there is something about these guys that make them special

[@Abkeda]

Auch! Can I love this sound anymore. Rock’n’ Blues. 🖖🏻🇺🇸❤️

[@eyarbroughzone]

I can't breath when I hear this song. It's too much.

[@matsiesmith2425]

+Ellen Yarbrough I understand.....so much passion and emotion!

[@Mikemackem]

+Ellen Yarbrough Only a woman would say that.

[@eyarbroughzone]

What makes you say that? It's scary...the wailing of the victims of war and what a voice.

[@freddyeltigre2327]

Free, one of the cleanest sounds along with Booker T & the MGs !

[@andrewgoldbergs4474]

Agreed..this is a sublime live to air version of a magnificent Andy Fraser song. Terrific band performance understating the magnificent vocals of Paul.

[@rd56rd56]

I made a list last week with friends of my 10 best albums ever......Tough since I bought so many in my life.....Wanna know my number 1 ? Free.....Fire and water from 1970. Their third album. This is my best album ever. What a band they were....R.I.P. Kossoff....

[@musicman7222]

Still sounds great after all these years,one of my all time favourites just great.

[@rcknalwys]

One of my favorites and a fabulous version.

[@iandann8788]

SAW THEM AT THE ROUND HOUSE ,LONG TIME AGO BUT STILL REMEMBER ,GREAT GIG

[@mixaliskokkinos1496]

I'm hear a little of Whitesnake on "Ain't no love in the.."Why not!There were pioneers of hard-blues rock after allVideo is from Mr Big.!Greetings from Greece

[@professor-productions]

Whitesnake were formed after Free ended ... of course they tried to emulate the best. Video is a compilation from Free footage ... including Mr Big.

[@rentner66]

everytime when i hear this song i remeber the first gigs with free- and i am 75 now and love them

[@315elmwood]

They don't make bands like this anymore and haven't in a long time. Music like this could have only been made and released in the 60's/early 70's. Such good memories. It fills me with so many emotions and there is so much passion here. The power of simplicity is so evident. I have to get this. Rodgers gets me everytime. Thanks for posting this.

[@dannyboyle7068]

What a great track!those guys were superb!

[@sayerma]

What a fucken song... The vocals are unstoppable, but the band is so tight. Amazing stuff.

[@bigcoolviking]

Some songs, not many, just melt your brain, wowwww.

[@vinylpride80]

What a great band 🇬🇧 🎼🎼🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@lindamcdonald360]

Paul Rogers amazing voice, its angelic 😊

[@dankowalski6925]

I be love every version I’ve ever heard of this. But I think you’re right. This may be the best

[@sewardsteve]

I saw them in the 70's and sadly they were not on form that night. This is amazing and helps delete the memory of one of my favourite bands unable to perform because of the evil of drugs.

[@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!

[@roystonz2339]

Class, Sheer class. Wish we could turn back the clock.

[@2293465972156447385]

R I P! Andy fraser and Paul kossoff may your memories live on forever in your music. Best british blues band ever!!

[@mattheartlion]

Natalie Nitro Check out www.artistecard.com/smokestacklightnin another great British Blues Band in the making...

[@Wouter_Vuijk]

Natalie Nitro Of course a matter of taste, but I myself rate Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac a lot higher as a bluesband. Same regarding Savoy Brown, Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, etc. As much as I really love FREE, I wouldn't call them a straight out blues band. This song, for example, being one of my favorites of the band (!) has nothing to do with blues. Have a nice day.

[@2293465972156447385]

Indeed i would also give Peter Green a high standard in blues also his prodigy Danny Kerwin.

[@TheClemcaster]

+Wouter Vuijk It is, as you say, a matter of taste; it is also the case that all of the bands that you’ve listed may have begun as straight blues bands, but certainly did not end up being so.

[@SteveCounsel]

+Natalie Nitro I know it's splitting hairs and they did start as blues band but i have to agree with some of the other comments Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac were a real blues band and hold the British Blues crown with John Mayall's Blues Breakers a close second. By this time Free did Highway they were a full on rock n roll band one of the great rock n roll bands I might add! I think the musical root of this song has much more in common with soul music than blues really and some of the other tracks on the LP gave a nod at country, love it, really beautiful, wonderful performance great band who are seriously underrated

[@jasonkome9734]

8-26-24 what a masterpiece 👏

[@Natashahoneypot]

What I love about Proper live music is that, it is different every time it is performed.

[@uchewbeddi]

Simon Kirke's unmistakeable drumming - truly sublime . For me best drummer to watch ........EVER !!!!!!

[@chrisdavis5413]

Breathtaking Free come up now and again. What a great band they were.

[@vincenzosallusto1648]

Epic band ,,,,, the best year 70 80 s !! Rock old scool 🎸🎼😁🎵💉😵🎻🌴🏜🌴🎸

[@lastfairy2480]

RIP .. ANDY FRASER,,,

[@samanthacolquhoun5700]

One of the best bands of the so called British Blues bands of the late 1960's, there were many great bands but they did not have Paul Rodgers singing with Paul Kossoff, Andy Fraser & Simon Kirke, big infuence on my late teens & still moves me to tears, mourning sad morning etc. Still think 2nd album the best. Mind you the Beatles, Stones, Who & Kinks were pretty good too

[@sheilafoster6213]

You only need free in your life love them all 💞🎸💞

[@philjames1019]

Paul Rodgers is still a class vocalist, always has been. "Sir" Paul Kossoff was a genius who sadly left us far too early .... I shudder to think what he could have achieved. RIP Koss and Andy Fraser....

[@GreekRocker00]

Simon and Andy working on a blasting groove, hats off

[@ShirazRay]

Simply mind-blowing stuff!

[@mayegs49]

Una de Mis bandas preferidas.Por siempre Free❤️

[@doqxote]

only such a song as this comes from one who understands the true value of a person and is why Paul is so powerfully on form

[@breadfan1979]

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...

[@asukalan9928]

i like this song so much

[@brankagrkovic7562]

+Asuka Lan Me too

[@asukalan9928]

+Branka Grkovic it's awesome, deep and powerfull i love old music

[@hahahawuting]

Asuka Lan n

[@richardkennedy3846]

At boarding school I well remember the real joy of the wonderful Free's releases .... those REALLY 'were the days'! PS Rodgers is still as good as ever. Extraordinary. Rick jethrotullfloydfree

[@AlexGronstad]

This is one of my top favourites in the world. It's beautiful in every single way. Ashame Andy Fraser where caught in the 80s pop-music. He was one of the best. Free is one mind with all the greatest people. A big shame most people have heard All Right Now, but have no clue what Free are. RIP Paul Kossoff my ultimate guitar hero.