Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #182

 Free Appreciation Society Magazine

Issue #182

March 2026

Okay, so I'm just back from the Post Office, where I've dropped the final sack of FAS magazines. World ('Far Far Away') and Europe ('Far Away'), have already gone. Now the UK issues are also in the mail. As I said previously, it would be nice to think I could get these to drop onto UK doormats on March 19th, to remind you it's 'Paul's Day', so maybe encourage you to spend a little time reflecting on him, and playing some of his music. It's a good thing to remember people. However, as I've not had any post since Saturday, and when it does come there will be a pile of it. I'm one of the people who can confirm my mail gets held back at the sorting office frequently. Some people may get their magazine tomorrow, some likely won't get it until well into next week, so I thought I'd better just get them moving, and hope you all get yours before next Thursday. There's also a competition in this issue too, and I want to make sure you have time to get your entries in for that.

So, here we are. The final hardcopy FAS issue. This rounds up the Free story all the way to where we are now. It includes some information on unfinished and abandoned projects, and a general overview on what could happen to the Free music catalogue in the future. There is press from just after the group split up, a mass of previously unused gig adverts and photo's, the final updates to the long running 'diary' section.

Also included are corrections to some errors in previous issues, either typo, or where new information has come to light. There is, of course, a section for Paul Kossoff, as we pass the 50th anniversary of his untimely death. We now hit twice the period he lived for. Frightening to think about really. This includes new and previously unpublished, photographs from his brother, Simon. Finally, inserted is a letter to subscribers from Simon Kirke.

There is also a competition for subscribers, where you can win a copy of the Japanese re-issue of the first Free single there, 'Walk In My Shadow/The Hunter'. Entries should be in, via either email or post, by March 31st. One entry per person please. Winner will be announced here on the blog on April 2nd. 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).

I should point out that a three issue subscription will allow you to get any three issues currently, assuming I have them in 'stock'.  So #180, #181 and #182, or #179, #180. #181 etc.

Final Issue Coming...

Okay, just a quick update to let you know the new (and final) issue is in, and in fact the 'Far Far Away' issues are in the post (USA, Canada, Japan, Australia etc), as these always take a long long time to arrive. Issues for Europe will go out early next week in an attempt to get them to everyone at about the same time.

It would be nice to think I could time the issue so it drops on your carpet on March 19th, to remind you that it's 50 years since Koss passed... but with the current state of Royal Mail in the UK, I know some of you will get the issue the next day, and some of you not until the following week! So I'll get the UK ones out, on or before the 16th, and we'll just have to hope for the best. Once the UK issues are out, I'll put the usual 'new issue preamble' up here. All are packed now, so were ready to go. It feels a little bit odd not to be working on the next issue, but looking at #182, it's a good place to end. It may not be neatly tied with a bow, but everything is now up to date, and it feels 'complete'. So, not long now.

FREE - On the back of a fag packet... LITERALLY!

Hi Everyone,

Thought I'd better pop my head up and let you know the final FAS is pretty much done. I'm just sorting out the final tweaks to the contrast of things, so they can be read. It's always tricky getting the balance, and as the press stuff gets older it gets faded and yellowed, which isn't helpful! Anyway, with any luck this will be going to the printers in its final form next week, and it will be dropping through letterboxes in March, as planned.

 

 

 

 

 

I thought I'd also mention this set of autographs, currently going up for auction on February 24, 2026 (auction starts at 9am). LOT 241 is the set of FREE autographs shown, and yes, on the back of a Players No.6 fag packet. These all look perfectly genuine to me, but I did notice that 'expert' Roger Epperson spelt Fraser incorrectly (Frasier) on his rather worthless (in my opinion) 'Certificate Of Authenticity'. I can't say that filled me with confidence regards his authentication of anything! You should always be aware that there are lots of fake 'signed' things around. The usual 'Buyer Beware' applies. These look fine.

Anyway if you feel like parting with at least £500 (likely much more) you'll find the auction link below:

FREE Autographs On Auction 

Best of luck to you.

HNY 2026

 

Tetsu Yamauchi

21 October 1946 - 4 December 2025

I was dismayed over the weekend to learn that former Free and Faces bassist Tetsu Yamauchi has died. He was 79. He played a vital part in the forming of 'Kossoff Kirke Tetsu Rabbit', and was a solid foundation in the final days of Free, and on the 'Heartbreaker' album. He then went on to fill the gap left by Ronnie Lane when he quit (The) Faces. He filled two sets of very big boots. Andy Fraser, and then Ronnie Lane, fitting into both units perfectly.

Tetsu retired from the 'music business lifestyle' in the 1990s. We were very lucky that he agreed to be interviewed for 'Heavy Load', as he generally avoided speaking to the music press, and never had any interest in the reunions by (The) Faces. He moved to the Japanese countryside, and lived quietly, without a computer, or email, and played Jazz with friends, which he enjoyed.  A very sad loss.

FAS Magazine #181 Audio Addendum

 Addendum #1

(FAS #181 - Page 6)

'Little Bit Of Love' Alternative Mix

Available only on the 'Completely Free' compilation LP

Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #181

 

Free Appreciation Society Magazine

Issue #181

December 2025

 

And so to the penultimate issue of the FAS magazine, and there's still a lot to cover. This time it's the more interesting compilations that have been released over the years following 'The Free Story'. That includes 'Free & Easy, Rough & Ready', and 'Completely Free' for the UK, 'Best Of Free' on A&M Records in the USA, and 'Pop Chronik' in Germany rounding up the vinyl, before we look at the better CD collections, avoiding the trash you don't need to even consider. So the CD section includes 'Molten Gold: The Anthology', 'An Introduction To Free', the 'Songs Of Yesterday' boxed set, along with a few others.

You'll find surprises here on vinyl from Yugoslavia, Japan and Singapore, with alternative covers, and track listings! Also the  period press, reviews, adverts, and all the release information you'll need. This takes us up to 2012, and the announcement of the unreleased 'big box'. More on that in #182

There is a diary section here, which completes all the information I have regards the Basing Street Studios for Free, Sharks, Paul Kossoff, Andy Fraser, Rabbit and Bad Company. This includes recording information, dates, and what was recorded when. This fills in a number of gaps including the Fraser/Miller sessions, and the unreleased third Sharks album recordings with John Entwistle, that are NOT lost, as is often reported.

There's also an audio addendum on P6 that you'll find up here on the blog a couple of days after the UK issues are mailed, which was today.

Plenty of information to keep you busy over Christmas in a 48 page magazine. All issues are now in the post and on their way to subscribers.

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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

(Payment via Paypal only).

I should point out that a three issue subscription will allow you to get any three issues currently, assuming I have them in 'stock'.  So #180, #181 and #182, or #179, #180. #181 etc.