
VOR 45 JAHREN STARB PAUL KOSSOFF MIT 25
Jens-Uwe BerndtTeilen
Zu den tragischsten Figuren im Rock-Zirkus gehört zweifellos Paul Kossoff. Der begnadete Gitarrist, der mit seinem Stil den Sound der Gruppe Free definierte, ist am 19. März vor 45 Jahren (1976) gestorben. Er war erst 25 Jahre alt. Trotz außerordentlicher Fähigkeiten an seinem Instrument und eines unverwechselbaren Stils litt der Londoner unter enormen Selbstzweifeln, die zu depressiven Schüben führten. Nicht zuletzt griff der Künstler auch deshalb zum Alkohol und zu Drogen. Das wiederum führte dazu, dass er den von ihm 1968 mitbegründeten Free nicht mehr in vollem Umfang zur Verfügung stehen konnte. Er musste die gerade frisch reformierte Band 1972 verlassen, was ihn noch weiter in den Drogensumpf riss. Trotzdem gelang ihm 1973 das exzellente Solo-Album BACK STREET CRAWLER. Die daraufhin gegründete Band unter demselben Namen brachte mit ihm noch zwei weitere starke LPs heraus, bevor Kossoffs Körper schlapp machte.
Among the most tragic figures in the Rock circus is undoubtedly Paul Kossoff. The gifted guitarist, whose style defined the sound of the group Free, died on March the 19th, 45 years ago (1976). He was only 25 years old. Despite extraordinary skills on his instrument and a distinctive style, the musician from London suffered from enormous self-doubt, which led to depressive episodes. Not least because of this, the artist resorted to alcohol and drugs. This in turn meant that he could no longer be fully available to Free, which he co-founded in 1968. He had to leave the newly reformed band in 1972, which dragged him even further into the drug swamp. Nevertheless, he succeeded in 1973 with the excellent solo album BACK STREET CRAWLER. The band that was then formed under the same name released two more strong LPs with him before Kossoff's body gave out.
Among the most tragic figures in the Rock circus is undoubtedly Paul Kossoff. The gifted guitarist, whose style defined the sound of the group Free, died on March the 19th, 45 years ago (1976). He was only 25 years old. Despite extraordinary skills on his instrument and a distinctive style, the musician from London suffered from enormous self-doubt, which led to depressive episodes. Not least because of this, the artist resorted to alcohol and drugs. This in turn meant that he could no longer be fully available to Free, which he co-founded in 1968. He had to leave the newly reformed band in 1972, which dragged him even further into the drug swamp. Nevertheless, he succeeded in 1973 with the excellent solo album BACK STREET CRAWLER. The band that was then formed under the same name released two more strong LPs with him before Kossoff's body gave out.