Tag Archives: Simon Kirke

Music Monday: March 23, 2026

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This year will mark the 85th birth anniversary for a singer & songwriter best known for songs made famous by others. Tim Hardin was born December 23, 1941 in Eugene, Oregon. His father played bass in an Army jazz band and his mother played violin in the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Hardin learned guitar while he was in high school before he quit to enlist in the Marines where he served in Asia. He honed his musical skills during that time, so when he was discharged in 1961, he moved to NYC and began playing in small clubs. Two years later he moved to Boston where he was approached by Columbia Records. Unfortunately, they did not move forward with his demos.

In 1965 he relocated to California and by July 1966, he released his first record, Tim Hardin 1, on Verve Records. One of the tracks, “Reason To Believe”, was the first single from Rod Stewart’s 1971 breakthrough album, Every Picture Tells A Story. When the B-side, “Maggie May”, started receiving more air play, it catapulted the double-sided single to the #1 spot in the country for five consecutive weeks in the fall of 1971. Over two decades later, Stewart included “Reason” as part of his MTV “Unplugged” performance and the song became a hit again as a Top 20 hit in October 1993.

In November 1966, Bobby Darin’s recording of Hardin’s song, “If I Were A Carpenter”, peaked at #8. He included his own version on his second album, Tim Hardin 2, released in 1967. He also sang it live during his Woodstock performance in August 1969.

Hardin released nine albums in his lifetime before his death in 1980 from an accidental overdose of heroin, an addiction he struggled with since he was introduced to it during his military years in Asia. His 10th album, Unforgiven, was released posthumously in 1981. His music has been covered by many artists including Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, The Four Tops, The Carpenters and Don McLean.

My favorite album of Hardin’s-Bird On A Wire-was released 55 years ago in June 1971. The title track is my favorite vocal performance by him.

James Timothy Hardin: December 23, 1941 – December 29, 1980

Tim Hardin circa 1968. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

 Hardin’s 1971 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another artist we lost too soon was English musician Paul Kosoff. Last year marked his 75th birth anniversary (born Sept 14, 1950) and March 19 marked the 50th anniversaryof his death in 1976 at age 25. He was the lead guitarist & co-founder of the rock band, Free.

He studied classical guitar from the ages of 9 to 15, at which time he decided to pursue a career in music after attending a show by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. In 1966 Kosoff was in the band Black Cat Bones with drummer Simon Kirke. Ttwo years later they co-founded Free with vocalist Paul Rodgers and bassist Andy Fraser. Their debut album, Tons Of Sobs, was released in March 1969.

They found their greatest success from their third album-Fire and Water, released in June 1970-thanks to the their breakthrough single, “All Right Now”. It is one of the greatest rock anthems in music history. I have been obsessed with this track since I was a child and a century later I still cannot get enough of it. Four standout performances by each member of the band combined together to make an intensely masterful and sublime track.

Free initially disbanded in 1971 due to internal tensions but came together a year later to record Free at Last. That was followed by Fraser’s departure, reportedly due in part to Kosoff’s undependability because of his growing substance abuse issues. The band broke up for good in 1973 and later that year, Kosoff released his solo debut, Back Street Crawler. He was set to be on tour with Rodgers’ & Kirke’s new band, Bad Company, beginning in April 1976. Sadly, Kosoff died from a pulmonary embolism a month before.

Paul Francis Kossoff: September 14, 1950 – 19 March 19, 1976

Paul Kosoff circa 1974 (L) and 1970 (R). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

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

Tim Hardin: “Bird On A Wire” (1971, written by Leonard Cohen).

Tim Hardin: “Hoboin’” (1971, written by John Lee Hooker and Joe Josea, arranged by Joe Zawinul).

Tim Hardin: “Georgia On My Mind” (1971, written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, arranged by Joe Zawinul).

Free: “Moonshine” (1969, written by Paul Kossoff’ and Paul Rodgers).

Free: “Oh I Wept” (1970, written by Paul Kossoff’ and Paul Rodgers).

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

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 9, 2026

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company’s third studio album, Run With The Pack, was released 50 years ago in January 1976. The supergroup had cemented their place in classic rock with their debut album in 1974, and by this third album in as many years they were known for the intensity of their live shows as well.

Run peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 in 1976 and produced three singles: the title track, “Young Blood” which peaked at #20-and was a Lieber & Stoller cover originally recorded by The Coasters in 1957-and “Honey Child” which peaked at #59. The album is one of my top picks by the band as it features three of my all time favorite songs by them.

Bad Company circa 1975 (L to R): Simon Kirke, Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell and Paul Rodgers. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Speaking of the great songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller-who gave us so many of the songs Elvis made famous-I recently discovered another one of their tracks during an “Ally McBeal” rewatch.

Near the end of S1 E2, Vonda Shepard starting singing a song that was unfamiliar to me. After a quick Google search of the lyrics, I found the original recording from 1977. It is by English singer Elkie Brooks who I never heard of before but what a discovery. She has an incredibly soulful voice with a hint of rasp that gives Rod Stewart vibes. I cannot find Shepard’s version on line but she did a fabulous job on it, as she did on most of the songs she covered on the show.

Elkie Brooks circa 1975. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another new-to-me song from my “Ally” rewatch is from Gladys Knight & The Pips. It was written by singer, songwriter & Mississippi native, Jim Weatherly (March 17, 1943 – February 3, 2021). He wrote five songs for their 1973 album, Imagination, their first release for Buddah Records, the label they landed at after leaving Motown. The group’s two biggest hits-“Midnight Train To Georgia”, which was #1 for two weeks in October 1973 and “Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)”, a #2 hit in April 1973-were also written by Weatherly. A year later, the group took yet another one of his compositions, “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me”, to the #3 spot in April 1974.

He was a quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels from 1962-1964 while he was a student at the University of Mississippi. After graduation he pursued music which included his own contract from Buddah after the success of “Midnight Train”. Weatherly released 11 albums between 1972 and 2008. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 20 years ago in 2006 and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014. His songs were also recorded by Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers and Neil Diamond, amongst others.

Jim Weatherly circa 1973. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

Bad Company: “Love Me Somebody” (1976, written by Paul Rodgers).

Bad Company: “Silver, Blue & Gold“(1976, written by Paul Rodgers).

Elkie Brooks: “Pearl’s A Singer” (1977, written by Ralph Dino, Jerry Leiber, John Sembello and Mike Stoller).

Gladys Knight & The Pips: “Where Peaceful Waters Flow” (1973, written by Jim Weatherly).

Jim Weatherly: “Where Peaceful Waters Flow” (1973, written by Jim Weatherly).

Stay safe & well.

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.

Music Monday: April 21, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One of the most influential jazz vocalists in history was born 110 years ago. Eleanora Fagan-better known as Billie Holiday or “Lady Day”- was born on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An unstable & tumultuous childhood led her to join her mother in Harlem in 1929 where Holiday soon began singing in nightclubs, inspired by the music of Bessie Smith and Louie Armstrong. Ten years later, Holiday recorded what is arguably considered to be the first civil rights protest song, “Strange Fruit”. Her unique interpretation & phrasing on jazz standards & original music helped elevate her recordings and performances to legendary moments. Although she died in 1959 at age 44, she is still considered to be one of the greatest voices in music.

Top: Billie Holiday circa 1947 with her dog, Mister. Bottom: The singer at Carnegie Hall circa 1948. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Sixty-five years ago on April 14, 1960, Sam Cooke released “Wonderful World”. He co-wrote the song with business owner & music producer Lou Adler and trumpet player extraordinaire Herb Alpert, who went on to become a co-founder of A & M Records in 1962. The track hit the charts by May 1960 and peaked at #12 a month later. If any of you think you have never heard this fabulous song, think again. It plays in the 1978 movie, “Animal House”, underscoring the iconic scene where Bluto (John Belushi) is going through the cafeteria line, then squeezes a chunk of Jell-O into his mouth just before the food fight scene (“That boy is a P-I-G PIG!!!”).

Top: Sam Cooke circa 1960. Middle: Lou Adler (L) and Herb Alpert (R) circa 2010. Bottom: John Belushi as “Bluto” in “Animal House” (1978). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Today is the last day to cast your vote for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame nominees (find the ballot here). While the place has lost so much of it luster over the years given the list of unworthy people who have been inducted, one person who has deserved the honor for decades is Paul Rodgers. The singer-who celebrated birthday #75 last December-and the rest of Bad Company are finally in the running for the Class Of 2025 (and currently in second place in the voting). There have been rumors for years that Rodgers himself wanted no part of the HOF, but according to a Billboard story from February 2025, both he & bandmate Simon Kirke are thrilled to have finally received the nomination.

They were in a group together previously-Free-with Rodgers on vocals & piano and Kirke on drums before forming the Bad Company supergroup in London in 1973 along with Mick Ralphs from Mott The Hoople on guitar and King Crimson’s Boz Burrell (1946 – 2006) on bass. Kirke is the only continuous member of Bad Company in its 52 year history. Their self-titled debut album was released in the UK in May 1974 (a month later in the U.S.). Fifty years ago, the band released their second album, Straight Shooter, on April 2, 1975. The band recorded on Led Zeppelin’s own label, Swan Song Records.

This is a long time coming for the group and Rodgers specifically as his voice became one of the definitive ones in rock music nearly 60 years ago thanks to his tenure in Free (1968-1973, most notably as the co-writer & voice behind their anthem, “All Right Now”), Bad Company (1973-1982, 1998-present), The Firm (1984-1986), his turn with Queen (2004-2009) and numerous solo projects over the years. Maybe now that Bad Company has secured its own nomination, Rodgers’ individual achievements will soon be recognized by the hall as well.

Top: Bad Company circa 1974 (L-R): Boz Burrell, Mick Ralphs, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke. Bottom: Kirke, Rodgers and Ralphs circa 2012. Both pictures courtesy of the band’s website. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Billie Holiday: “All of Me” (1941, written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons).

Billie Holiday: “God Bless The Child” (1942, written by Arthur Herzog Jr. and Billie Holiday).

Billie Holiday: “Good Morning Heartache” (1946, written by Ervin Drake, Dan Fisher and Irene Higginbotham).

Sam Cooke: “Wonderful World” (1960, written by Lou Adler, Herb Alpert and Sam Cooke).

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

Bad Company: “Shooting Star” (1975, written by Paul Rodgers).

Bad Company: “Rock & Roll Fantasy” (1979, written by Paul Rodgers).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: August 8, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Nearly 50 years ago one of my favorite bands released their debut album. Bad Company’s self-titled first record came out in the summer of 1974. They were classified as a supergroup because all four members were once in other successful groups: drummer Simon Kirke and lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist & keyboard player Paul Rodgers were in the band Free; lead guitarist Mick Ralphs was in Mott The Hoople and bass player Boz Burrell was a part of King Crimson. All four members of Bad Co. were songwriters but Rogers & Ralphs handled the majority of that task. The band also had the distinction of being the first group signed to Led Zeppelin’s Swan Song record label.

The debut album was a #1 hit & was followed by five other records until Rodgers left the band in 1982. He returned a few times after that, staying for good in 2008. Kirke has been with the group all along. Sadly, Burrell died of a heart attack in 2006 and Ralphs left the band in 2016 due to medical reasons.

If there was an audio definition for the word “underrated”, I think any song by Bad Co. would suffice. The musicianship was top tier and Rodgers soaring powerful & distinct vocals put them in a universe all their own. Yet they have been snubbed by the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame for over 20 years and none of the members have ever received any type of British honor, either. I find both of those facts sad & disturbing.

They are part of classic rock royalty & are still one of the strongest most recognizable bands of the 1970’s. Today’s song is from their debut album & remains my top pick from that record. The music from this incredible quartet is intense, incredible and captivating while Rodgers’ voice elevates the entire experience to a stunning level. To quote the song, “Bad Company ’til the day I die”.

“Company
Always on the run
Destiny
Is a rising sun“.

Bad-Company-Promo-Shot-Web-559x359

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

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

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 496

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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?

Tom Petty music quote

(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.

This week drummer Simon Kirke will celebrate birthday #72. He is from two of my favorite bands, Free (“All Right Now” Day 182) and Bad Company (“Can’t Get Enough” Day 413, “Rock & Roll Fantasy” Day 80, “Simple Man” Day 358) and today’s song.

Kirke was born on July 28, 1949 in England. Around age 17 he met guitarist Paul Kossoff and joined the band he was in. Both men left in 1968 to form Free where Kirke met up with his nearly lifelong bandmate, Paul Rodgers. They would form Bad Company together in 1973. Here’s to 100 more birthdays to Simon Kirke and 100 more years of Bad Company music.

“Well I was the crazy fool
Who followed you home from school
I was hoping that you would know
But you had to go breaking my heart“.

free

bad co

Top: Free circa 1970 (L-R): Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, Simon Kirke and Andy Fraser. Bottom: Bad Company circa 2010 (L-R): Howard Leese, Simon Kirke, Paul Rodgers, Todd Ronning. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bad Company: “Love Me Somebody” (1976, written by 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 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 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

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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?

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.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 80

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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?

Kerouac

(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.

When the first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1986, several notable people speculated that eventually everyone would get in.  Not true.  While many of those inducted in the last few years have me shaking my head (Abba, really???) so does the absence of Bad Company.  They are an unbelievably great band and have one of the greatest lead singers to ever take center stage:  Paul Rodgers.

I fell head over heels in love with his magnificently powerful soulful voice the first time I heard him sing “All Right Now”, a monumental tune he co-wrote for his first band, Free.  But his years with the band he co-founded, Bad Co., solidified his reputation as a great singer-songwriter.  From “Can’t Get Enough”, “Simple Man”, “Running With The Pack”, “Feel Like Makin’ Love”, “Shooting Star” and so many others, Rodgers has penned many of the group’s biggest hits.  He also plays guitar, piano & keyboards.  Rodgers’ talent and the band’s musicianship are undeniable which helped them become a powerhouse group in the 1970’s.  Yet despite being eligible for induction into the HOF since 1999 (25 years after their debut album came out in 1974), Bad Co. has yet to be voted in.  And for the life of me I cannot understand why.  (The HOF has also snubbed Tina Turner, Warren Zevon, John Coltrane and Todd Rundgren.  But I digress).

Bad Co 3

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

Let’s not forget that Rodgers also had a five year stint touring with Queen beginning in 2004.  He was also in a band with Jimmy Page in the 1980’s (The Firm) and made tribute records to two of his musical heroes, Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters, the latter of which earned him a Grammy nomination.  Not to be overlooked, the other members of Bad Co. have great resumes as well:  guitarist and group co-founder Mick Ralphs, who has written or co-written many of the group’s songs (including “Can’t Get Enough” & “Feel Like Makin’ Love”), was once a member of Mott The Hoople (best known for “All The Young Dudes”) & has toured with David Gilmour; bassist & songwriter Boz Burrell, who was also a member of King Crimson and drummer & songwriter Simon Kirke, who was also in Free and toured with Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band.

I consider all of their albums my favorites for different reasons, but when you name one after a Jack Kerouac novel (1979’s “Desolation Angels”) I think it takes center stage (no pun intended).  And who doesn’t need a fantasy to escape to right now more than ever?

 

 (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company:  “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” (1979, written by 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.