20 Facts About Andy Fraser

Andrew McIan Fraser was a British musician and songwriter, best known as the bassist and co-composer for the rock band Free, which he helped found in 1968 when he was 15.

Andy Fraser founded the rock band Sharks after leaving Free in 1972.

Andy Fraser began playing the piano at the age of five.

Andy Fraser was trained classically until twelve, when he switched to guitar.

Korner was instrumental in Andy Fraser's next move, to the influential band Free, which consisted of Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke.

Andy Fraser produced and co-wrote the song "All Right Now" with Rodgers, a No 1 hit in over 20 territories and recognised by ASCAP in 1990 for garnering over 1,000,000 radio plays in the United States by late 1989.

Andy Fraser sat down and wrote it right there in the dressing room.

Andy Fraser co-wrote two other hit singles for Free, "My Brother Jake" and "The Stealer".

Free initially split in 1971, and Andy Fraser formed a trio, Toby, with guitarist Adrian Fisher, and drummer Stan Speake.

Material was recorded but not released, and Andy Fraser re-joined Free in December 1971.

Andy Fraser then formed the Andy Fraser Band, a trio with Kim Turner on drums and Nick Judd on keyboards.

Attempts to form a band with Frankie Miller came to nothing, and Andy Fraser relocated to California to concentrate on songwriting.

Andy Fraser wrote hits for Robert Palmer, Joe Cocker, Chaka Khan, Rod Stewart and Paul Young.

Andy Fraser played bass with former Free colleague Paul Rodgers at Woodstock '94, but otherwise kept a low profile until 2005, when a new release, Naked and Finally Free, appeared.

In early 2006, writing for Vintage Guitar magazine, Tom Guerra conducted a comprehensive interview with Andy Fraser, covering his career, influences and instruments and, in April, Andy Fraser responded to the revival of interest in his music by announcing two rare live shows at Southern California's Temecula Community Arts Theatre on 4 May The shows, accompanied by an eight-piece band, were his first live performances since the 1994 Woodstock reunion.

In May 2010, Andy Fraser was interviewed for BBC Two's documentary series titled Rock 'n' Roll.

In mid-2013, Andy Fraser played a supporting role as bassist in the band of protege Tobi Earnshaw for a short series of UK dates.

Andy Fraser produced and mentored Earnshaw on a number of album releases.

Andy Fraser died on 16 March 2015 at his home in California of a heart attack caused by atherosclerosis.

Andy Fraser was survived by his daughters Hannah and Jasmine, and ex-wife Henrietta.