Tag Archives: All Right Now

Music Monday: May 19, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Lou Gramm turned 75 this month. Born Louis Andrew Grammatico on May 2, 1950 in Rochester, NY, he was the powerful and unmistakable voice of Foreigner for their most successful years-from 1976 to 1990-and rejoined them from 1992 to 2003. Their self-titled debut album was released in March 1977 to immediate success courtesy of the one-two punch of the first two singles, led by “Feels Like The First Time” which peaked at #4 in June 1977. All in all they had nine Top Ten hits and a #1 record 40 years ago-“I Want To Know What Love Is”-which was in the top spot for two consecutive weeks in February 1985.

In January 1987, Gramm released his debut solo record, Ready Or Not. Two more solo albums followed in 1989 and 2009. In 2024, he was inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame with Foreigner.

Top: Foreigner’s 1977 debut album. Middle: Lou Gramm circa 1979. Bottom: The singer circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

On of the greatest rock anthems in existence turned 55 last week. It was released on May 15, 1970 in the UK and performed by the band, Free. It is from their third album, Fire and Water, released a month later. The track features Paul Rodgers on an absolutely scorching lead vocal, an insane guitar performance by Paul Kossoff, an infectious beat courtesy of Simon Kirke on drums along with an unbelievably intense bassline by Andy Fraser, who co-wrote the track with Rodgers.

It marked a complete shift from 1960’s rock to the sound that would come to be known as classic rock because the song is just that powerful and spectacular. Free may have officially disbanded in 1973, but luckily for music Rodgers and Kirke went on to form Bad Company who will finally be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame later this year as part of the Class of 2025.

Free (L-R): Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In March of this year Michael Martin Murphy turned 80. In early 1975 when he was known as Michael Murphy (he added the middle name around 1980 to avoid confusion with an actor by the same name), the singer & songwriter released the first single from his fourth album, Blue Sky – Night Thunder. The track peaked at #3 forty years ago in June 1975. I always loved the song and was thrilled when it became such a point of interest for David Letterman in 2007 during his “Late Show” tenure.

That phenomenal show ended 10 years ago on May 20, 2015. There are a plethora of moments I adore from it, but Letterman’s conversations about this song with his bandleader, Paul Shaffer, especially the musing over the line “gonna leave sod busting behind”, are some of my absolute favorites. They were hilarious and memorable, especially since the song was a favorite of Dave’s. And in a fabulous moment of appreciation, respect and class, he had Murphey perform the song on “The Late Show” 18 years ago on May 22, 2007. I miss Dave so much.

Top: Paul Shaffer (L) and David Letterman on “The Late Show” circa 2014. Middle: Shaffer (L) and Letterman in an IG post from 2024. Bottom: Michael Martin Murphy circa 2012. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Foreigner: “Cold As Ice” (1977, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones).

Foreigner: “Head Games” (1979, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones).

Lou Gramm: “Midnight Blue” (1987, written by Lou Gramm and Bruce Turgon).

Free: “All Right Now” (1970, written by Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers).

Michael Martin Murphey: “Wildfire” (1975, written by Michael Murphey and Larry Cansler).

Michael Martin Murphey:  “Wildfire” as performed live on “The Late Show With David Letterman” on May 22, 2007 (originally released in 1975, written by Michael Murphey and Larry Cansler).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 358

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

March 2021 Blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

If I had to name my favorite voice in all of rock music, without hesitation I would choose Paul Rodgers. I was a child the first time I heard him sing and I can still remember it like it happened yesterday. It is rather impossible to forget hearing a near perfect song like Free’s “All Right Now” (Day 182) and if there was any doubt my life would be ruled by music, that song sealed my fate. It taught me that music could just grab you by the throat, overwhelm you in the very best way possible, inspire every inch of your soul & make you feel more alive than you ever did before. If love makes order out of chaos, then music makes life out of mere existence. .

After Free disbanded two of its members-Rodgers & drummer Simon Kirke-formed Bad Company in 1973 with guitarist Mick Ralphs, previously a member of Mott The Hoople & bassist Boz Burrell.(1946-2006). They performed together for the first time on March 8, 1974 in England and in June of that year they released their eponymous debut album. They became a staple of FM radio and continuously raised the bar on their own success until they broke up in 1982.

For those eight years, Rodgers voice & the band’s music & self-penned tunes sold 40 million records around the world and won a permanent spot in my heart. To choose one song from the six albums they made together is tough but there are some that stand out for me more than others, like today’s pick. Since 2008 the surviving members of the group reunited and seeing them live again is one of the things I am most looking forward to after quarantine. And if they sing today’s song, I will be even happier,

“I am just a simple man working on the land
Oh it ain’t easy
I am just a simple man working with my hands
Oh believe me“.

bad co circa 1974

Bad Company circa 1974 (L-R): Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell, Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company: “Simple Man” (1976, written by Mick Ralphs).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 312

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Shakespeare music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

One of my favorite singers in the 1980’s was Robert Palmer. He might have made pop music but it was so much more sophisticated than the average Top 40 fare thanks to his influences of soul, reggae and rock. He did not look like a typical artist you would see on MTV, either. He was smooth & suave in his bespoke suits and his debonair persona. Add to that the power & polish of his voice behind hits like “Looking For Clues” “Bad Case Of Loving You”, “Hyperactive”, “Addicted To Love” & “Simply Irresistible”. I really enjoyed his work with The Power Station, especially “Some Like It Hot”. Palmer was one of the few singers who did justice to Marvin Gaye with a cover medley of “Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You” from the 1990 album, Don’t Explain.

I was lucky enough to see Palmer in concert at Radio City Music Hall where he did not disappoint. He made every song sound incredible & look effortless. But I waited all night to hear today’s song from 1978. It was written by Andy Fraser, a songwriter & musician who began his career as the bass player & founding member of the band Free (“All Right Now” Day 182) when he was 15 years old. January 19th marked Palmer’s 72nd birth anniversary and every time I hear today’s song I relive that night at the Music Hall and feel incredibly lucky to have seen this man deliver an unbelievably fabulous show.

“Someone’s looking for a lead
In his duty to a king or to a creed
Protecting what he feels is right
Fights against wrong with his life“.

robert-palmer-front-row-photographs-com

Robert Palmer circa 1986. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Robert Palmer: “Every Kinda People” (1978, written by Andy Fraser).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 286

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Shakespeare music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Time to catch-up on a rock & roll birthday.. Paul Rodgers, the mighty passionate & unbelievably gifted voice behind two incredible 1970’s bands turned 71 years old on December 17. Born in 1949, he started his career in music as a bass player but took over lead vocals when that bandmate wanted to concentrate more on his guitar work. Rodgers helped form Free in 1968 and two years later their colossal hit, “All Right Now”, earned the band international acclaim. The song was written by the group’s bassist Andy Fraser and Rodgers, who went on to write many songs & sing lead for another band co-founded, Bad Company, as well.

He was with them from 1974-1982 after which time they disbanded. The group reformed later in the decade but without Rodgers who was making solo records and part of a new group. The Firm. He rejoined Bad Company again around 2000 and remains with them today, but he continued with his solo work and joined forces for a while with Queen. I absolutely adore his voice and consider him one of the best rock singers of all time. I am truly stunned by how sorely underrated he is. He & Bad Company are one of the biggest snubs by The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, currently waiting 21 years to earn their rightful place in history. Regardless, Rodgers’ voice and the music he has made for over 50 years is some of the best I have ever heard, especially today’s song.

“Rebel souls
Deserters we are called
Chose a gun
And threw away the sun“.

Bad Co 1974

Bad Company

Top: Bad Company circa 1974 (L-R): Boz Burrell, Simon Kirke, Paul Rodgers & Mick Ralphs. Bottom: Bad Company circa 2015 (L-R): Howard Leese, Simon Kirke, Paul Rodgers & Todd Ronning. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company: “Bad Company” (1974, written by Simon Kirke and Paul Rodgers).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 182

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Jane Austen Music Quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Before we get to the music, let me offer a quick shout out to my girls-Dorothy, Rose, Blanche & Sophia. “The Golden Girls” pilot aired 35 years ago today on NBC and its four leading ladies made growing older look fun, feisty and fabulous. They also became my surrogate mothers who gave me sage advice about life, love, loss & laughter. I will adore them for all of eternity.

the-golden-girls

The cast of “The Golden Girls: Top (L-R): Rue McClanahan as Blanche, Bea Arthur as Dorothy. Bottom (L-R): Estelle Getty as Sophia & Betty White as Rose. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today is also the birth anniversary for guitarist Paul Kossoff who was born 70 years ago today in England. If you think you do not know who he was, I have three words for you: “All Right Now”. Yes, he was the guitarist for the band, Free, who had a massive hit in 1970 with that iconic song. And one listen to that track, led by Paul Rodgers’ electrifying vocals and Kossoff’s unbelievably fiery & intense riffs, it was clear even upon its release that this song would achieve legendary status. Rounding out the group was the astonishing rhythm section featuring Andy Fraser on bass and Simon Kirke on drums. If there was ever a tune to qualify as a perfect song, it would be this one. I have been absolutely fanatical about this track from the first time I heard it 100 years ago, and that obsession continues to this day. And probably always will. I just cannot hear it enough.

Kossoff’s musical training started at age nine when he began classical guitar lessons. But at age 15 he saw a live performance by Eric Clapton with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers so Kossoff changed his musical direction to a more blues/rock inspired sound. By 1968 he met the other band members to form Free. They broke up temporarily in 1971 but reformed a year later, only to disband permanently in 1973. Kossoff struggled with depression & drug addiction which was only exacerbated by the break-up of the band. He died in 1976 at age 25 from a pulmonary embolism. But his staggering performance stands out on one of the greatest rock anthems of all time.

“There she stood in the street
Smiling from her head to her feet
I said hey, what is this
Now baby, maybe she’s in need of a kiss“.

Paul Kossoff

free

Top: Paul Kossoff circa 1974. Bottom: Free circa 1970 (L-R): Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers, Kossoff & Simon Kirke. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Free: “All Right Now” ( 1970, written by Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.