Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #180

 

Free Appreciation Society
Magazine Issue #180

October 2025

 

The first of three issues dealing with the end of Free, and all the concluding release history (that is of real interest) up to the present day.

Here we look at the final dissolution of the group in late 1973, the announcement of 'The Free Story' release, and all the variations thereof. This issue also includes the release of 'First Water' by Sharks as Andy Fraser jumps ship, and the debut solo albums by Paul Kossoff and John 'Rabbit' Bundrick, while Tetsu moves on to join (The) Faces. Stray Dog also get referenced. In the meantime, slowly and quietly Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke move on to their new project with Mick Ralphs, that will be announced in 1974 as Bad Company.

Lots of press included for all these original releases, and a really close look at all the different versions of 'The Free Story' issues worldwide. With and without 'Limited Edition' numbers. With and without the inner booklet. With and without the inner sleeves. With and without the Toby version of 'Travelling Man'! The UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada and Malaysian releases are included with full information on re-issues, and any changes made in different release territories. You will be surprised by how complicated, and varied, the history of 'The Free Story' set really is!

There's a competition for all FAS subscribers in this issue to win copies of the German 2LP and Australian 2CD 'Free Story' sets. You'll find the details and question on page 2 (the intro page). Closing date for entries, via email or letter, is October 31st. Only one entry per person please, and pick which of the two prizes you prefer. First out of the hat will get their choice. Second will get the other item. Remember to include your full name and address. The winner will be announced here on November 1st, when the prizes will then be mailed out to them. Best of luck. 

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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. Casual buyer? Want the magazine cheaper? Get a subscription! A subscription is the cheapest way to get the FAS magazine. For subscription information email: fasarticle@aol.com

You can buy this individual issue from the email address above. Total is £7.50 via Paypal for the UK, a three issue subscription is £19.10

Overseas it's £26 (via Paypal). Buying from the FAS directly should save you on customs charges, and fees, now levelled directly via Ebay, which will not be added here as items will be sent as 'letters'.

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 up making this issue almost £8 in the UK, and way more overseas as they now add taxes to the total. So;

UK single issue £7.50 (Paypal)

Overseas single issue £9.80 (Paypal)

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

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

Happy Birthday Koss

Paul would have been 75 today, and these birthdays and anniversaries seem to come around fast these days. It's sad that he's not here to celebrate his birthday with friends and family, but we can mark the day for him by just spending a little time playing some of his music. While we do that, he lives through the musical legacy he left.

In 2019 I posted the audio from an unreleased single test pressing. I'm sure there are people that haven't been back far enough into the blog achive to hear it, so I've pulled that posting back up, and will put it here. The text explaination is below, followed by the audio.

 

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Below for your enjoyment is the unreleased single version of 'All The Girl's Are Crazy' from a single sided test pressing I have. The flipside ('Stealing My Way') also comes on its own 1-sided 7" test disc. That's as far as it ever got.

This was due to be released by Island Records, and on the back of the sleeve the WIPX-1389-2M number is indeed Island catalogue. This test pressing, mastered at Sterling Sound, was made on 20th May 1975 it appears. Of course Back Street Crawler went on to be signed to Atlantic/Atco and so this never came out. It's a different mix, somewhat rougher than the one on the 'Band Plays On' album, and it has a different vocal along with some alternate guitar. It's very nice, and you won't have heard this version anywhere else before. Koss is in fine form here, and there's some great playing. So turn it up and enjoy. 

 

Happy Birthday Paul. We miss you.

 

FAS #180 coming soon.

FAS #180 keeps us ahead of the game again. While it may be the October issue, these should be going out into the mail around the 15th of September. However, given the current state of Royal Mail (I seem to get post MAYBE twice a week now, in huge piles), it may be good to get this into the post a couple of weeks before it's actually due! No point holding on to this when it's done and ready to go. All the info will be up here the day the UK issues go into the mail.