Rock-tober 18, 2013

Andrea was asking which song was making the list today. When I told her, she furrowed her brow and said, "I don't think I know that one."

"Yes you do." I then played her a short clip of the beginning of the track, and within 3 seconds her eyes lit up, "Oh, yeah, I do know that one."

In August of 1970, the UK band Free played in front of what was then the largest concert crowd of 600,000 people at the Isle of Wight festival. Their 9-song set included "All Right Now" which has one of the most recognized opening guitar riffs in classic rockdom.

Prior to this high point in their career, the group was playing a nightmare gig at a college venue in Durham. Seating capacity was at least 2000, but the crowd consisted of 30 some odd stoners who were oblivious of the band's arrival and departure. Back in the dressing room, there was a consensus that they needed an upbeat  tune to balance out their predominantly bluesy set and energize the crowd.

Andy Fraser, their bassist, recalled what happened next during a 2012 interview:

"I started singing, 'All right now…come on baby, all right now.' As if to say, Hey, tomorrow's another day. Everyone else started tapping along."

"All Right Now" was born out Fraser's impromptu outpouring of creativity that night. After Free disbanded in 1973, their signature song kept on rolling. It broke into the Top 10 in multiple countries including  #2 in the US. In 1990, its use in a UK ad for Wrigley's gum generated enough interest that the song was re released. It made it all the way to #8 on the UK singles chart.

Small screen appearances included Supernatural, Heroes, and The Sopranos. It was also featured on American Beauty and is now immortalized by inclusion in the game, Guitar Hero.