Back Street Crawler was the rock band formed by guitarist Paul Kossoff (September 14, 1950-March 19, 1976) on his final departure from Free in 1973. He only had months to live when the band, named after the title of his first solo album, was formed in early 1975 and the albums they produced are his last recorded work. Paul Kossoff (September 14, 1950 - March 19, 1976) was a British rock guitarist. ... Jump to: navigation, search September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1950 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1976 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... Free was a R&B-style rock band which formed in London in 1968 best known for their popular song All Right Now. Lead singer Paul Rodgers, went on to become lead singer of the rock band Bad Company, while lead guitarist Paul Kossoff, a much revered blues/rock guitarist...

Signed to Atlantic Records by Ahmet Ertegun on a $250,000 worldwide deal, the Anglo-American line-up comprised: Paul Kossoff (guitar), Mike Montgomery (keyboards), Tony Braunagel (drums), Terry Wilson (bass) & Terry Wilson-Slessor (vocals). The band completed a nine-date UK tour in May & June 1975, then finished their debut album, The Band Plays On, which was released 1 Sep 1975, on the back of a massive publicity campaign. An extensive tour was announced to coincide with this release, but Kossoff was taken ill with a stomach ulcer and the tour was cancelled. Whilst at the clinic, Kossoff's condition worsened and he was taken to a hospital where he went into cardiac arrest and actually 'died' for 35 minutes.

After a month of recovery, Kossoff made an appearance on the UK TV Show 'Old Grey Whistle Test' (October 1975) and four new dates - Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle & London - were arranged for November. These showed the band under-rehearsed and Kossoff struggling, though. Prior to a US tour at the start of 1976, Montgomery was replaced by ex-Free keyboard player John 'Rabbit' Bundrick. However, once again, Kossoff's ill health meant too many shows were cancelled or postponed. Recording of the follow-up album 2nd Street took place whilst the band were in LA, but much of the guitar playing was the work of 'Snuffy' Walden. A few gigs in February 1976 also featured Walden, with Kossoff standing in as the MC.

With Kossoff in better health again and the band headlining four nights at the Starwood Club, LA, Kossoff was delighted that ex-Free colleagues, Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke (headlining with Bad Company at the Forum), joined him on stage for two nights. A British tour was set to begin on 25 Apr 1976, coinciding with the launch of the second album, but Kossoff died of a heart attack on an overnight flight from LA to New York on 19 Mar 1976. Recordings from one of the UK concerts in 1975 were later released under the title Live at Croydon Fairfield Halls 15/6/75.

Back Street Crawler continued, under the name Crawler, with Geoff Whitehorn on guitar, but they were dropped by Atlantic after failing to replace Kossoff with a big name.

--84.59.101.210 09:05, 1 November 2005 (UTC) Anokhi Ltd.