Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #177

 

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #177

April 2025

Well, it's always nice to be a little way in front, and like the last issue this one is really a bit earlier than expected. But, as it's ready to go, and I don't see any rational reason to hold on to it, when I could get it into the mail and out to you (before the postage prices go up again on April 7th!). So, overseas issues have gone out today, and UK issues will go out early next week - most probably on Monday.

Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #177

In this issue we start in February 1973, and the final three weeks of the Traffic, Free & John Martyn tour of America. This is really the last 17 days in the life of Free as a working unit. Things here in the US seem to be unravelling somewhat. Paul Rodgers manages to knacker his ankle, and Free have to miss two shows. Then Wendell decides he wants more money to do the extra shows that are being added (some places now have two shows a day, due to ticket demand), and Rabbit opts to destroy a dressing room, to add along with the hotel room he wrecked during a sword fight with Chris Wood earlier in the tour!

In New York, Wendell has his favourite guitar stolen, along with some others, from the gear trailer, and he's getting tired of the pranks that are being played on him by others. It's all becoming a bit of a mess, not helped by the fact that they just haven't pulled together to crack it on-stage every night. It's been a long tour. There's been a lot of drunken partying, and everyone is ready to go home. They just haven't realised yet that Free is over. 'Heartbreaker' and 'Wishing Well' are doing fine, but this isn't the same group that made those recordings!

In other news, as Free go quiet after their return to the UK, Andy Fraser has decided to jump overboard, and abandon Sharks literally as their debut album comes out. Meanwhile Paul Kossoff is pulled up by the police on Hammersmith Broadway, and gets busted for 'driving under the influence of drink or drugs', eventually finding himself in court. Paul Rodgers meanwhile is being named as the replacement for Ian Gillan in Deep Purple...

Really, you just couldn't make this up! FAS #177 covers it all, blow by blow. 48 pages dealing with the end of the tour, the end of Free, Fraser splitting Sharks, and Kossoff appearing in court, while Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke keep quiet. Complete with reviews, press articles, interviews, tickets, gig adverts, chart positions and photographs. Phew! Dig in, and hang on, as it's a very bumpy ride.

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It is cheaper to buy directly here (from the FAS itself) than it will be on Ebay, where there are other fees involved for both UK and overseas buyers. ALL payments are via Paypal, so it's all very easy and secure.

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Drop me a mail giving your location and a Paypal money request will be sent to you. It's cheaper than buying them on Ebay where the fees add 12.5% + 30p making this issue £8 in the UK

A subscription for three issues (UK) is £18 (£19.10 via Paypal)

A subscription for three issues  overseas is £26 (via Paypal).