Andy Fraser talks to Terry Rawlings

Legendary Free Bass player and songwriter took time off from his UK tour to talk to Terry about the start of Free

[@robharding5345]

Andy Fraser, Honest as the day is long ! in his last days he was doing some sterling work on behalf of abused children, What a lovely man ! god bless you.

[@stephenagnew670]

What a great bass player one of my all time favourites free were brilliant brilliant brilliant what a band

[@portcullis5622]

Great songwriter and bassist. 'Fire and Water' album was released 50 years ago this week. One of the finest rock albums of all time. Beautiful songwriting and incredible to think that Andy Fraser was still a teenager at the time! I will never tire of those songs.

[@AnalogOpher]

This is Andy Fraser. Some say the greatest rock bass player ever. He wrote "All Right Now". He's a rock God.

[@ronaldmoskovitz6630]

He also wrote "Every Kind of People" for Robert Palmer

[@controlroomlandry271]

Didn't Paul Rodgers write that song?

[@portcullis5622]

@@controlroomlandry271 It was a Fraser/Rodgers composition.

[@TheLynnl]

Definitely the best bass player ever. I wouldn't call him or any other person god though. There's only one of those.

[@stuartdandybenchillboy]

If you ever want to hear how a bass guitar SHOULD be played, then listen to Andy Fraser play it like a lead guitar on Mr Big. Outstanding and the best that I have ever heard OR seen live. Flea? Go take a jump!

[@bobgreen8142]

Like all the instrumentalists in Free, Andy had a style that played to the music and left plenty of space for the song to breathe. A lot of almost Funk-like staccato playing and that EB3 had a lot to do with it.

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

in my opinion one of the 5 best bass players ever born...listen to "Mr Big" and "Love Is All Around". Rest in peace Andy.

[@chrisshaw6451]

I saw Free 3 times back in the 70's, FANTASTIC, my all time favourite band. I just wish that Koss could have beaten his demon, and who knows how far that band might have gone, I loved them. Andy was the anchor for them all, so much responsibility for a young bass player, but he still produced some of the finest bass lines ever to grace a stage or recording. RIP both of them, I hope they know how they're missed, wherever they are in the universe?

[@FMHammyJ]

Im sad that I only learned of his passing a short while ago......one of the best r&b and rock bassists, ever, and a great songwriter as well...RIP Mr. Fraser....

[@ArchieFatcackie]

Saw him play twice at the Sunderland Locarno in “69 and “70. They were absolutely fantastic. What a great bass player he was and they were so young and Andy was the youngest.

[@subicbrat]

I love an interviewer who actually lets the interviewee speak. Good job; I wish more interviewers kept it sparse like that.

[@suvariboy]

RIP Andy. We'll miss you!! In a 2005 interview, Fraser revealed what he considered to be his greatest achievement: "Coming to terms with being gay - not only personally, but publicly. Being able to share that with my daughters, which has enabled the most open, loving relationship imaginable. Family acceptance is important to everyone, and now having their incredible talents supporting, and working on my behalf really feels like a winner. Essentially being seen, and shown through their eyes, I couldn’t look any better."

[@jamestcallahanphotographer]

God Bless Andy, such a beautiful guy and artist...and the best Rock bass player ever. Just saw his daughter Jasmine’s FB post today, July 4, 2020. Very moving...he would have been 68 yesterday. He was the champion of so many people and causes...truly inspiring. Much love, Andy. ❤️

[@celtXfibre]

R.I.P andy, one of the true greats!

[@joanneiles5562]

I love him so

[@graemeyetts3465]

Sadly I saw him once. It was a tiny community theatre in N London featuring local unknown talent. Chris Spedding was the guest. Andy shared the stage with grace and humour and it was a beautiful evening.

[@dislikesquare8749]

Magical!!!!

[@philiphancock1641]

Where was the theatre btw and what year?

[@graemeyetts3465]

@philiphancock1641 The Bull Arts Centre,Barnet. Approx 2013/14

[@parkst.frankfranklin3986]

Andy's playing was outstanding. I saw Free at The Lyceum maybe twice. They were the best and coolest band around at that time.

[@alfching2499]

Saw Free twice at a all night gig at the Lyceum they came on first and blew me away then a few weeks Later at Cooks Ferry Inn Edmonton.They amazed me from the Lyceum,they were Original in a blues based way,still love them

[@Steve-wx9gl]

Never forget the greatest rock band rest Andy Fraser and thankyou

[@mickcorbett6724]

Excellent intelligent, interview. Like an earlier poster said, the interviewer lets Andy have his say, which is incredible. RIP Andy💗

[@beantownhero617]

God Bless Andy and Paul

[@jonsilence]

NO BASS PLAYER at any time EVER played like the great Andy Fraser. Love the magic marker 'stache & beard! :)

[@cgavin1]

A great interview. Andy Fraser blew my mind here when he talked about Kos doubting himself and not feeling worthy of the comparisons to legends like Hendrix. My perception of him was that he was technically perfect in a way I could never be. His tiny little hands shuffle like a giant and he never missed a half beat. Just blows my mind to think Kos was ever anything but a god/genius in his own mind as well.

[@davidwolfe9391]

When Andy speaks it's always truth... I like when he talks about Koss... To say Koss struggled with chord shapes is kinda to be expected from a guitarist as young as he was at the time. I would say that because Koss formulated his own unique chord shapes by sound, he came up with some of the best voiced chords and progressions of that era. two greats - Huge influence - lives on...

[@dislikesquare8749]

Insightfully stated about Kossoff's "chord shapes." You may find it of interest that vocalists from both Montrose and Journey did stints with LA based band SWAN whose guitarist was heavily Kossoff influenced. Here's the best example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnjCfHiAoapontk

[@davidwolfe9391]

@@dislikesquare8749 I listened to your link. diffinitly hear the influence you speak of. Even though the recording is likely just a pair of room condenser mics, it captures the band having a fine fine moment. Music with space between the notes - Thanks for sharing.

[@dislikesquare8749]

@@davidwolfe9391: Thank you David, you have some great ears and matching sensibilities! Indeed, as you put it so perfectly, "Music with space between the notes." Cheers, and long live the memory of the great Paul Kossoff.

[@Renhjarta]

Love hearing Andy talking about Koss! R.I.P Andy and Koss!

[@220773]

This man has been battling cancer and probably something equally appalling for 30 years... aye, 30, you've heard me well... cancer came and went, came and went, and if it's true he was battling something else, well, his body would then lose immune defences as time went by. Yet he lived on. And kept doing what he felt he was here for. Untile the very last day. Bless him.

[@skummtoons6686]

OMG 😢 so sad. Happens to the best people.

[@onlyjoetee]

He died of AIDS from being gay!

[@portcullis5622]

@@onlyjoetee No he didn't actually.

[@jamestcallahanphotographer]

Gianmaria Framarin ❤️❤️❤️

[@jillsmcfarland2001]

Naive

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

Rest in peace Andy. Great player. X

[@JustK009]

Andy Frasier = DAMN LEGEND!!!

[@barbfrmsf]

May he rest in peace thanks for sharing your talent with us

[@leemark63]

Had the ability to create a melody on the 4 string like very few other.

[@andyman0231]

RIP Andy hope your jamming with Koss up in heaven

[@onlyjoetee]

Heaven is Gods house for his obedient children what makes you think those 2 are there??

[@beyondonethousand]

onlyjoetee Exactly put. Read the Bible people and stop inducting anybody you like or please into His kingdom. Make certain you go there yourself.

[@annmcdonald6180]

@@onlyjoetee an all forgiving.god

[@daveyest]

@@annmcdonald6180 Well said Ann. I agree.

[@Alanoffer]

His playing in free was a big influence on me

[@bassman1ism]

Free at the Argus butterfly,Petetrlee in the 70s.Great night that was.Thanks for that. ARTHUR GRANVILLE.

[@Spamhero]

RIP Andy.The musical link between bass and lead was a triumph on it's own.

[@MyMuzikVideos578]

Andy, you are one of my heroes and a huge influence on my playing. May you find peace and love in the next world. I will see you there some day. Much love...

[@MarvDawk]

a true bad ass - epic bass hero and musician.....RIP.

[@sonnyblu6299]

Andy was a great person also... as he was a musician.

[@underworldent4817]

a great talent , wonderful music.

[@pascaljeanne8002]

andy fraser was a real genius ! just kisten to his bass lines man ! so original !

[@mojojojojuniper6122]

Darlin Andy RIP Xx your hat and style always inspired me during my youth. Ride a Pony❤🐎

[@Safabox]

Rest in Peace, Andy... :(

[@themanfromutopia1]

R.I.P Andy...so sad.X

[@portcullis5622]

I discovered Free in 1980 when in my mid-teens after buying 'The Free Story' compilation, and 35 years later they are still my favourite band, so I feel that I have grown up with their music even though they were before my time. I have just found out that Andy Fraser had passed away a few days ago. So sad. Great bass player and songwriter, and more importantly, he always came across as a genuinely decent person.

[@bojansson8719]

Genuinely decent person - i like that!

[@KKTR3]

Portcullis your story is almost my story total First song I heard was wishing well-Summer 1982-free and easy rough and ready LP. First song I got in to was bodhi First real album gatefold double album German pop chronicle -later sort of German version of free story January February 1983 discovered accidentally Paul Kossoff was dead

[@Smithy67]

This is so fantastic........ thanks so much

[@RisingSon011]

andy and john paul jones are two whitë Englishmen with as much soul as any missisippi bluesman

[@paulbuxton1326]

Great bass man 🤟🎶

[@peppercat8718]

RIP Andy 🎸🎶

[@keithwaites9991]

Also a great pianist

[@drgnslyr1962]

RIP Andy

[@saltybildo4415]

Good stuff

[@euanelliott3613]

An absolute legend, he wrote Every Kinda People recorded by Robert Palmer. I have a theory the first verse of Wishing Well was about Kossoff, the second about Fraser.

[@sheilaswegler4859]

He did write the song, but I understand the legendary Bob Babbitt played it on the album. (The original, which I find to be the best. Babbitt played with Motown's studio band, the Funk Brothers, as they called themselves. He played on many artist's songs, from Sinatra to Hendrix. Check out the song Scorpio. Especially after the bongo part. After a couple of minutes in, the instrumental song is all about Babbitt's bass.

[@euanelliott3613]

@@sheilaswegler4859 Thank you for writing. I'll check it out. Best wishes to you.

[@user-lv4it3pk9u]

Forever.....

[@divarachelenvy]

R I P x

[@Matthew_Eitzman]

His TV show “Fraser” was a great ‘90’s show.

[@steffanhoffmann]

I'm from Kensington and Chelsea in London originally. Andy from nearby. Paddington. Andy articulate here but he's slightly out of it. Having been diagnosed with HIV, he was later diagnosed with Kaposi's sarcoma, a form of cancer that had been very rare until the onset of the AIDS epidemic. This timeline was called into question by Fraser's subsequent revelation that he was gay. About 2 years after this interview he died aged 62. Fraser died on 16 March 2015 at his home in California of a heart attack caused by atherosclerosis. He was survived by his daughters Hannah and Jasmine, and ex-wife Henrietta.

[@glesgason]

I am adding to my comment of great bass players,lets not forget that the scots added a third drone to the bagpipe which was a bass drone and the it was known as the great highland pipe

[@glesgason]

there were so many great bass players ,alot of scots was he? he has a scots name

[@skummtoons6686]

Nice, good info. As I am a Scot! " Buchan"

[@portcullis5622]

I seem to remember reading that his mother was Guyanese and his father (who left him when he was young) was Scottish.

[@brianmulvihill7066]

What song is used in the opening?

[@tonyobadinage6647]

It's called "Ridin' on the L&N" by Nine Below Zero from their "Live at The Marquee" album.... a cracking album.

[@erikjonez]

Looks like The Beaverwood Club.

[@danehart2783]

in the top 2 , cream bass vocals take it for some , andy singing thin , but playing bass . his bass line was copied for 35 years easy

[@dommccaffry3802]

Kossoff let his bandmates down

[@keithwaites9991]

Rocks version of James Jamerson

[@dannyinaus]

fix the audio

[@edwardscherry3004]

It Suck’s getting old. Andy is proof.

[@jimhere1]

It sucks being an asshole. You are proof.

[@dommccaffry3802]

As the leader ??????

[@williamobbish8298]

specialized back tire

[@user-og2uu3ec4t]

Жаль , тоже походу сторчался...

[@qazzell]

It looks like he owned a bungalow

[@70goldtop]

How do you live a rock musician lifestyle and have children and than turn gay? I'll never understand that one.

[@d.dedrick7991]

He probably always was gay, but because of societal & familial expectations tried to live the traditional male role, a lot of CLOSETED men do, for as long as they can, anyway...

[@vc23]

What are you saying? If you’re gay you can’t have a rock musicians lifestyle? He didn’t “turn” gay, he was always gay and he knew it but times were very different then

[@jillsmcfarland2001]

50 years ago "closet "

[@onlyjoetee]

SAME way ppl become criminals,they listen to Satan...

[@cherryedwards3]

Andy was a young gay hottie in the deep deceptive closet for most all of his good years life .....(what a waste) .....but ended up being a desperate all out flaming everyone look at me gay man musician at the end. Sad.

[@seacow313]

why does terry try to look like brian jones? it's not cool

[@onlyjoetee]

This man decided to leave his wife and children and become a homosexual,and he paid a heavy price for it....

[@portcullis5622]

I don't think that is something you "decide". That makes it sound like a career choice! It is surely more about how a person feels and being honest to themselves and their family.

[@bobgreen8142]

Fuck me StainlesSteel are you just trolling or is that an ignorant statement of epic proportions?

[@carlosdeno]

I was aware of the heavy metal kids, what I didn’t know however was that you can actually get your haircut at Dewhurst butchers, with a knife and fork.