14 Facts About Paul Kossoff

Paul Francis Kossoff was an English guitarist, best known as the co-founder and guitarist of the rock band Free.

Paul Kossoff's uncle was the broadcaster Alan Keith and he was a cousin of the judge Brian Keith and the model Linda Keith.

At age nine, Paul Kossoff started classical guitar lessons with Blanche Monroe.

Paul Kossoff received lessons from session guitarist Colin Falconer, who worked in the guitar department at Selmer's.

In 1966 Paul Kossoff joined the Chicago-style blues band Black Cat Bones.

Paul Kossoff co-wrote several Free songs, including "Oh I Wept" and "Mr Big" on the Fire and Water album.

Paul Kossoff then accompanied John Martyn on a 1975 tour.

Paul Kossoff then assembled a group called Back Street Crawler, which released two albums: The Band Plays On in 1975 and 2nd Street in 1976.

Paul Kossoff's guitar playing was much in demand for session work and he contributed solos on several albums including: Martha Velez's Fiends and Angels ; Michael Gately's Gately's Cafe and Mike Vernon's 1971 album Bring It Back Home; Uncle Dog's Old Hat ; Jim Capaldi's Oh How We Danced and Short Cut Draw Blood ; The Amazing Blondel's Mulgrave Street.

In 2011 a selection of early recordings Kossoff made with Black Cat Bones was released on the album Paul's Blues.

Paul Kossoff's unhappiness following the break-up of Free and his drug addictions contributed to a drastic decline in his health.

Paul Kossoff died on a flight from Los Angeles to New York City on 19 March 1976 from a pulmonary embolism after a blood clot in his leg moved to his lung, while touring America with Back Street Crawler.

Paul Kossoff's body was returned to England and cremated at Golders Green Crematorium in North West London.

In December 2015 Bonhams listed for auction a Gibson Les Paul Standard owned by Kossoff from 1970 to 1976.