All Right Now: Life, Death, and Life Again

Book excerpt: Bassist Andy Fraser joined Free at the age of fifteen, and was still a teenager when he co-wrote 'All Right Now'. The song became one of rock s most-played and best-loved anthems. After leaving Free in 1972 Fraser went on to write for Robert Palmer, Chaka Khan, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart and many others. A period of personal discovery led to Fraser coming out as gay in the 1980s. He contracted AIDS and became gravely ill, but rallied with treatment and was healthy for a long period. He remained active as a musician and songwriter. He finally succumbed to his illness in March 2015, at the age of 62. In this candid memoir Fraser reflects on early fame, fatherhood, coming to terms with his sexuality and HIV-status, and life on the road in the golden age of rock.