A handwritten letter from Free co-founder Andy Fraser to a Los Angeles-area girl he had dated, from whom we obtained this.

Fraser was something of a musical prodigy, joining John Mayall’s band on bass at age 15, and co-f0unding Free at 16.  Fraser was the co-writer of Free’s biggest hit, ‘All Right Now,’ as well as their singles ‘The Stealer’ and ‘My Brother Jake.’ Free disbanded for the first time in 1971, reforming later that year.

This letter is postmarked 20 July 1972, just a month after Fraser left the reformed band, frustrated by guitarist Paul Kossoff’s drug problems, which left him unable to perform at shows or at times even to show up. It’s obvious from the letter that the status of Free was at that point unsettled, with Fraser writing ‘Paul and Si [drummer Simon Kirke] went to Japan to do the tour on their own [with replacement musicians], and I lent them some equipment, but I don’t think it will be successful.  I’m going to speak to them when they come back and try to work it out.’

The letter, sent from Surrey England, reads in full:

Dear Vicki, It was great for you to telephone, and great that now I have your address again.  It was starting to annoy me, when I searched the whole house and couldn’t find your address.  What have you been doing?  Keeping happy I hope.  Well I’ve been alright; – I’ve written about eight new songs since I saw you, and some of them I’m really pleased with.  I hope sometime you will hear them.  Most of the time I’ve been making tapes and I’ve got the garden together.  You should see it!  Roses pruned, paths cleared, and I’ve cleared and sowed the vegetable plot with everything you can think of.  5 rows of Artichokes-I love them.  I even put a swing up from the tree.  It’s great and good to just sit on and think.  I haven’t been to London since I saw you, and have had no reason to.  On Monday I [sic] going to take driving lessons on how to pass the test, and if I pass I might get a new car and start circulating again.  Paul and Si went to Japan to do the tour on their own and I lent them some equipment, but I don’t think it will be succcessful.  I’m going to speak to them when they come back and try to work it out.  Well speak to you soon, Love, Andy.

Fraser included a bit of dried vegetation from his garden inside the letter, which is included here.

A wonderful and evocative Free collectible.  With Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee of authenticity.

7″ x 13″