To help maintain Pauls drug-free state, David Kossoff moved him into a house in Tilehurst, a suburb of Reading. Their close relationship is also something I remember with fondness. Shortly after, he sent Islands management team to watch them showcase in a club in Londons Leicester Square. I didnt enen know shed been called Saffron . He stayed the night at Tilehurst, only to be woken by Koss and an unexpected house guest. Anthony Kreppel reaches out, here, again, and might, on Twitter. and elsewhere, to unite others, those whose names have slipped my failing memory, but were, all of Sapphos time, in that little triangle that has the 3 points Bayswater, to the East, Foxs School, Notting Hill, along to the West of that, and Westbourne Grove, slightly to the South, encompassing Queensway, Hallfield, Whiteleys, among other notable points, and finally The Prince Alfred Pub, Queensway, Cellar Bar, as a meeting point, on a Friday evening, for a tight little group. I am now out near Twickenham but if you are still a Londoner, or nearby, it would be lovely to meet one day and swap stories. But the flight was undersold. We were both four years old and she lived next door to me. I remember Sappho from when she played with a band called Satva around 1971, such a nice lady, I was trying to find some info about her now and got such a shock. Earlier in the decade, Korners ensemble Blues Incorporated had beena valuable training ground for several future Rolling Stones. Hit that one last January. She ranks with Archilochus and Alcaeus, among Greek poets, for her ability to impress readers with a lively sense of her personality. I was looking for Sappho and came across your touching obituary. Few groups in the history of the show would look as uncomfortable as Free did half-miming to All Right Now. Her father was Alexis Korner..the late and magnificant white blues man. Both the album and the single Wishing Well went Top 10. Rodgers and Fraser wrote every song, except the group-credited Trouble On Double Time. I dont know if you know this but he was run over and killed when he was 19 . I too was looking for her and am sad to know shes gone. I wish you a very Happy Birthday. We were both four years old and she lived next door to me. it will be once I stop wasting my time on Facebook She told him to put his seatbelt on and asked where the guy sitting next to me had gone. sorry to have to break this to you if you didnt already know My life wouldve been v. different had Eddie been around he was an ally . Chris Blackwell was desperate for Free to have a hit, but hed have to wait a little longer. Alexis passed away on January 1 1984, at age 55 in City of Westminster. Yep Eddie was my younger bro and soul mate . I cant find you on Facebook. But the singer refused: I knew I wanted to start a new group instead.. all brown sack cloth . :$47K - $57K . I flew down to see them somewhere on that tour, sighs John Glover, who remembers Rabbit smashing up a dressing room and various band members sporting black eyes and split lips. Mr Big and Fire And Waters title track were masterclasses in economy and space. BA1 1UA. Sadly, Kossoffs declining health had grabbed the headlines ahead of his new album. Then there was a knock at the door and a dealer outside. I hope everyone is well and looking forward to a warmer Spring. Love from Sarah X. (LogOut/ Within a year, Bad Companys debut album was a US No.1 hit. I need a break away. Born in Paddington, west London, to a Barbadian-Guyanese father and an English mother, Fraser was something of a musical prodigy. Kossoffs understated solo on the song Swamp Man trailered the sound of Frees debut album that was recorded soon afterwards. Did you know the Korner family well? We last said goodbye as she was off to Glastonbury to be with her new husband Peter. Paul Rodgers watched from the sidelines. Was sad to read of her passing. The thing that kept messing up Koss was the outside world getting to him, says Rabbit. My younger brother and sister aged 8 & 6 got the crowds to carry them over to the Stones caravan where they spent their time. Her father was Alexis Korner..the late and magnificant white blues man.. He knew he was blowing it and he knew I wasnt after his job. Walden apparently played on three tracks on the final album and on various versions of Wishing Well. He was a raconteur and an entertainer. The subsequent UK tour saw flashes of the old Kossoff, but far too many moments of high farce and terrible chaos. When I think of the days of my youth, thoughts of old age were so far from my mind as to be almost non-existent. I remember when I was at Hallfield reading in the newspaper about a man dying at 30. People Search, Contact Information, Public Records & More. 4850 Camino Al Norte. My playing was still very primitive at this time, but it had something in common with the way he sang, said Kossoff. Hiya Anthony, Like their creator, those slow sustained notes, measured solos and moments of perfect silence never had the chance to grow old. Her language contains elements from Aeolic vernacular . Hiring for all shifts, part time or full time. Find family history information in a whole new way Create a free family tree for yourself or for Sappho Korner and we'll search for valuable new information for you. Sorry to read about her passing..I was just watching a DVD of Alexis & Friends and remember her. XOX to you too . Docherty had heard about this new group with a brilliant guitarist but quickly realised their name was misleading when punters turned up expecting to get in for free. Hed spend days and nights slumped on the sofa in Golborne Mews, Hendrix playing, as dealers and hangers-on drifted in and out. I wouldnt have been going anyway. Its a massive turning of a corner and Im really pleased for you. He should have been one of rock and blues great guitar heroes. I said, Look, Koss has gone off the rails. Lost touch over next few years-so sad to hear she is gone. One afternoon, he slipped away to audition for The Rolling Stones. Sorry William my email oooooooops better not give it out here . I see two messages, e-mail alert suggested four. Glover insists it was $150,000. Then there was this dreadful doctor in Harley Street, whod write him a prescription for whatever he wanted. Before long, Koss was swallowing as many as 20 Mandrax a day. Alexis Korner, Musikhalle Hamburg, November 1972 Background information Birth name Alexis Andrew Nicholas Koerner Also known as "Father of British Blues" Born (1928-04-19)19 April 1928 Paris, France Died 1 January 1984(1984-01-01)(aged 55) London, England Genres Blues, blues rock Occupations Musician, singer-songwriter, historian, broadcaster Five months before his death, Kossoff told a journalist, Theres nothing outside music, I have no hobbies, I just want to play. That was always part of the problem. Benefits: Employee discount. Sappho Gillett Korner: Vocals : Alexis Korner Discography Browser. Best Regards,Peace,Fraser, Hiya Frazer, There are some references on the Net that suggest the song was about a 14 year old girl named Sappho. Not to mention, a teacher taking me aside on leaving the Hall, after prayers, on my very first day, not yet 5 years old, and telling me, in future, to move my mouth but not to sing. Ahmet Ertegun came into the picture. Ertegun, the Atlantic Records mogul whod signed Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, signed Back Street Crawler and publicly declared Paul Kossoff the emperor of the blues. Soon after the Nags Head jam session, the new band were backing Alexis Korner in blues clubs around London and the Home Counties. Our children were at school together. Alexis Korner was a British blues musician and radio broadcaster. We did Stormy Monday Blues, Three OClock In The Morning by BB King brought the place down, said Rodgers. Kossoffs parents tried to intervene. . I was and, thinking back, I thought that you were a little older than myself. More and more I realize that this is a wonderful site here. Kirke wasnt sure about the band, but loved the guitarist: He was a little bloke with a mane of long hair. What impressed him most was that Kossoff wasnt trying to compete with lightning-fingered players such as Clapton. It was March 19 1976, and one of rocks greatest guitar players was dead. so much sad news of ex hallfield students RIP all of you , Chris Pierre, Chris Pierre .. So with a bad heart but a light one, I am happy, in another year, to be wishing the Hallfield Sappho contemporaries all good things for the Festive Season. Please dont be a stranger. He was a founder of the seminal British blues band Blues Incorporated, which greatly influenced the blues scene in London in the early 1960s and had such adherents as Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton. Alternatively, the Rodgers/Kossoff co-writeMoonshine was a bleak, spectral blues. Among my record collection is a signed copy of R & B From The Marquee by Alexis Korners Blues Incorporated, from a live concert in 1962 (I was only ten at the time and thus could not attend.) She was my friend too and I have very special memories of going to Gigs with Alexis together and enjoying the smokey blues atmosphere as well as daytime fun at her house and mine. I wish you and your family and friends a wonderful time over the festive season and may 2016 bring you all you desire. There was an instant spark, concurred Rodgers. Wow what a lovely, kind, beautiful woman. Contrary to rumour, Kossoff hadnt overdosed. Ive read the comments from Bill Young & William Taylor and feel that I must have known you both or at least met up with you at some time in the early 1960s. You must remember, in those days, it was all sort of arty-farty in Britain, said Simon Kirke. I didnt know who he was or what had gone down, but heres all these people yelling, God! Simon Kirke was informed just before a Bad Company show in New Orleans, but decided not to tell Paul Rodgers until some days later, so as not to jeopardise the tour. Daughter of Alexis Korner, and sister of Nico Korner and Damian Korner . When a policeman spotted Taylor half-carrying him towards the terminal, he threatened to arrest them both unless they left the airport. That winter, Andy Fraser was so concerned that he and a roadie broke into the mews house, clambered over the bodies passed out on the floor and kidnapped Koss. Glover was impressed by Koss playing, and approached Chris Blackwell for a record deal. A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. I now reflect that I was blessed to be a child of the fifties, a teen of the sixties, with all the good things that that time brought to me. But Paul was unconscious, says Docherty. We were both four years old and she lived next door to me. Everyone who talks about Kossoff says that had they known then what they know now, his story might have had a happier ending. He saw the empty seats and said, Ill have that row there That was the last thing he ever said to me. The next thing Taylor remembers is being prodded awake by a stewardess as they approached JFK. Andy Frasers first impression of Kossoff was that he looked like a little lion cub.. The band now calling themselves Back Street Crawler played several shows that made up for in energy what they lacked in finesse. wishing you all the best X. Id spent four, maybe five years, being one fourth of a whole personality which was Free, Kossoff told music paper Sounds. Mark Blake is a music journalist and author. I used to wonder why, but Koss wasnt copying Hendrixs licks, he was tapping into his soul.. Summary. we lived in Windsor Court Im the eldest of 4 brothers and one sister . It was the same for Simon. Hiya Anthony .. Ill be in touch at a later date I think we mustve met x. I knew Sappho in the early 70s when she was living in Gibson Square in Islington,sharing a flat with a crowd of ex Finchden Manor people-she was a sweetie. Tetsu and Rabbit Bundrick were drafted in, and Paul Rodgers played guitar. Can you believe that another year is hurtling towards its end. Geoff was the top promoter in the north east, but I was the manager and this is what I do., In January 75, to test Kossoffs reliability, Glover put him on the road with John Martyn: He played a few songs a night with John, and it was great for a couple of weeks. I think everyone has some sort of death wish, before adding, But I dont want to die., John Taylor visited him in north Londons Northwick Park Hospital 10 days after his death, and was shocked by the transformation. He was mischevious but I really liked him. And Paul would go off into a dream-like state more than the rest of us., Frustratingly, when Kossoff was straight he could still play beautifully. Stay up to date with in depth music reviews, exclusive interviews and widespread coverage of whats happening from your favourite music genre. Kossoffs solo in that very song rips my heart out, says Rodgers now. Come October, a clearly un-cured Kossoff joined the new Free of Rodgers, Kirke, Tetsu and Rabbit to start work on a new album. At some point during the flight, Kossoff had visited the toilet and never come back. But disaster had struck early in the tour after Kossoff attacked John Glover with a whiskey bottle. Korner had travelled with his parents through Switzerland and North Africa before settling in London as a 12 year-old. I went to Hallfield. Chris said, This is John. still trying to work out this site .. [4] They toured Europe and released an album on Atlantic Records. Free were on tour when they were told the single had jumped from No.30 to No.4 and they were due on Top Of The Pops the next day. A beautiful spirit. As a family we moved to Notting Hill when I was 12 but I always felt Queensway was like a magnet. Nice to finally be able to reply having just sussed out WordPress all over again .. And there were the four of Free sat on the sofa. You too take care, love from Sarah , This may not be the best place to place my e-mail account details but who knows maybe nothing ventured nothing gained kreppamel@aol.com. Am thinking 2014 will be a great year. Looking forward to touching base with you again, soon, and I hope you are keeping well. We were always a rock/blues band, says Rodgers. Sappho would have been 14 when the song was released in 1966. Koss often fell over on stage, forgot the chords or gave long, stoned, rambling speeches. They didnt let anyone else in.. Died: 1st January 1984, London, England. That is, ANTHONY KREPPEL, of 90 Queens Court, Queensway, from 1952 1963 and then, still, visiting, the area often, but living at 24 Princes Hose, Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, from my 11th Christmas to my leaving, as a young rebel, in 1969, to live in Ealing and then further West. That said, after Back Street Crawler were photographed signing their contract at Londons Olympic Studios, Kossoff climbed out of the bathroom window, jumped into his car and proceeded to crash into several stationary vehicles. God! He really caught my attention.. swimming conked alley .. Keep it real indeed but sending much love your way . For some reason I cant make this work ~ having said that Im using a mobile phone and it seems much easier than with a computer. Before long, he was playing in a school group and upsetting the neighbours by rehearsing in the Kossoffs garage. Odd I seem to be able to use WordPress on my phone .. so there is light at the end of a tunnel take care from Sarah . Sarah My technological skills are nonexistent. who knew that evolution meant going backwards so far .. until another time . I suspect it was more shock that Id got to this age at all. Blackwell wrote him a cheque for 20,000 on the spot. I remember many deep coversations with Sappho and of course much laughter. Im afraid my mother died this January . The red-eye from Los Angeles to New York had just landed at JFK Airport. Paul was a very together guy, a soulful, intelligent guy. Off stage, he was quick-witted, a sharp mimic and, many believe, could have been a good actor. I grew up and lived for my first eleven years in Queens Court, Queensway and met Sappho when we were both at Primary & infants School. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Paul Kossoff wasnt one of them.. In his recent autobiography Fraser writes that Korner was 'almost a father figure' to him. Kossoff considered its soulful slow blues Be My Friend the best thing weve ever done. Kossoff, the pint-sized superstar with the lions mane hair-do, made an immediate impression: He walked on, plugged in and just unleashed those solos. We were both very young but I could never quite get her out of my head. Wow just followed the link to the Stones concert in Hyde Park. The first friend i ever made was called Sappho, or Fo as i called her. Alexis Korner ('74) Just Easy ADVERTISEMENT Track listing Show track credits A1 I Got Cha Number 2:44 Johnny Bristol songwriter Greg Reeves songwriter A2 The WASP (Texas Radio) 2:45 The Doors songwriter A3 Robert Johnson 4:05 Alexis Korner songwriter John Edwards songwriter A4 Tree Top Fever 2:54 Alexis Korner songwriter John Edwards songwriter Kirke found the break-up hard, but Kossoff was devastated. It was filed under Music . He went back on tour and didnt have a hope of staying clean., Shortly after, Kossoff gave an interview to Bob Harris on the BBCs The Old Grey Whistle Test. Theyve stayed in touch ever since. A new ailment having laid me low, bit enough of that. Free toured with Osibisa guitarist Wendell Richardson instead. He also cleaned up, sometimes for weeks at a time. Kossoff jammed with them at a blues club in Finsbury Park. As the only one with a licence, Kossoff drove the bands Transit, clocking up hundreds of miles week after week. Eddie was that quintessential cheeky scamp. But it wasnt quite the collaborative effort it appeared to be. We got stoned together and listened to a lot of Stevie Wonder on her turntable driven by a car battery. The guitarist stayed with Fraser for 10 days in Sussex. I do hope that March finds you well and all other attenders, here, in the light of the BIG issue that is a horror, now, and is masking, dont mind the pun, Brexit as the UKs most pressing problem. The following day he was called into Blackwells office. Ive a feeling its going to be a great year as well . If it helps I was born in 1952. HELP . Before long, a group of NYPD officers had trooped on to the aircraft. Docherty, a former doorman, was not to be trifled with: I warned him, If you ever do that again. Footage from the show captured them at the height of their powers; Kossoff wincing and gurning as if every note played was having a physical effect on his being. hugs from Sarah . She was good, says Glover but it was no use. So your just hitting 68. I hate to play just solos, said Kossoff. David was a bugger for that Dymo tape, where you can print out words. Her voice was more dreamy & folksy than her gravelly-voiced Bluesy father. Rodgers song, Come Together In The Morning, was written indirectly about Kossoff. I didnt know what to do.. We approach our, Sarah, 68th birthdays, come January and our 67th Christmasses and Hanukkahs. I too remember mention of the Isle of Wight .. At which point, says Glover. Ive had other sites where Ive had to design everything from scratch great fun to do but also much easier than here. Happy Christmas to you too .. My thoughts are with all those who visit, here. We were in Box Hill School together back when we were around 14 or 15. Find family history information in a . But when Kossoff went on another bender, Glover sheepishly returned the money. Alexis Korner (19 April 1928 1 January 1984) was a blues musician and radio broadcaster, who has sometimes been referred to as "a Founding Father of Brit . Keep it real Southern & urban blues. Immediately felt as if I was there again. Hi Mark, When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. There was no time to pause or reflect. Docherty phoned David Kossoff and told him he was taking Paul to Sunderland, right now: If I dont, hell die. Kossoff was bundled into the van and didnt utter a word for the entire journey. Kossoff came round to the house, recalls Rodgers now. Lets Get Together! I was a friend of sapphos I met her through my friend Annie Holden n I was her hairdresser for a few years whend been on my mind last fee days when I came across your site was so sad to hear of her passing have fond memorys of hanging out at her home in west london she had a great heart n I miss her. This thread seems oh so quiet now. P.S. Youre welcome Alamo .. Sometimes it was, Hey, Koss, listen to this. That Bayswater area was dripping with musicians and artists and I loved being around them during my younger days and my teenage years. A second album, simply called Free, emerged in October. Hello. Cheers , Anthony Ive just seen your face in my mind. he was run over and killed at the age of 19 . It makes me sad to think of you/Because I understand the things you do/There is no one else can take your place he sang. Sadly I lost touch with her in the early 1970s when I went off to University. Another beautiful memory, from a very different time, 1969, was this Hyde Park Concert https://youtu.be/gqtJELaLG5k which you, like myself, may well have attended, and where Alexis Korner and his Band also played, with Sappho doing some delightful vocals. In the meantime Kossoffs legacy endures. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Now approaching their 68th, or very close, Birthdays. I lost two City Breaks and the planned visit by my son, daughter in law and grandson. I dont Facebook, never wear gloves at this keyboard, but, by my full name or kreppant, I Tweet. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. He was also, already, an in-demand guitarist. The absence of Free left a hole in Kossoffs life, which he was now filling with drugs. Docherty moved Kossoff into his 12th-floor flat in a Wearside tower block, and began a cold turkey/boot camp regime. after as Im in panic about Crispmess Im on my phone so seriously hope you can make sense out of this as I canT see mode -what Im writing. I prefer to hear [Rodgers] voice and back it up or push it without covering it up. But the song that most impressed Chris Blackwell was All Right Now, with its bullish riff and terrace- chant chorus. and Im still present and so are you so far so good .. as far as the rest of the world goes . But the flight was only 30 per cent sold out, wed all moved around, so I didnt think anything of it.. Glover tried to defend himself. I mention this fine album as having Spotify, on my computer, I have been able to add it to my Record Library, there, for free. ), I remember all those things so well .. Anthony at least you werent cast as a peasant in The Caucasian Chalk Circle .. my mother said sage knew it was me the moment I sasheyd across the stage . Sappho Korner (died 2006) was a singer and percussionist. But looking into his eyes is like looking into Pauls. Appalling when I think of it now. In 1981, Korner joined another "supergroup", Rocket 88, a project led by Ian Stewartbased on boogie-woogiekeyboard players, which featured a rhythm sectioncomprising Jack Bruceand Charlie Watts, among others, as well as a horn section. It started howling and feeding back. Top Stories Photos Videos Movies & TV Shows Albums Awards People also Viewed Cast Tracklist Other Albums Related Albums How to Watch People Also Ask. I think we must know a lot of the same people In July, Free joined Eric Clapton and Steve Winwoods new group Blind Faith on a US tour. Im just mad about Saffron,and shes just mad about me Was this true or mereley the product of an addled teenagers mind? That has nothing to do with your being competent & everything to do with this site. Thats because Ive moved to a house in the country.. Kent to be more precise Free reunited in January 1972. If anyone should want to find me now .. ie ask questions about Sappho then I can be found on Facebook as Sarah Darling not sure I should give out my email address .. X, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mellow_Yellow. From my friendship with Sappho I was invited to many fine Concerts including Jimi Hendrixs first London appearance & The Rolling Stones concert, in Hyde Park, where Alexis Korners Band played with Sappho on percussion and vocals. Anthony, Anthony Eddie was my little bro . Employer est. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, But the job of replacing Brian Jones went to Mick Taylor instead. He also lived near their house and often went back there with Sappho. Unfortunately, this job posting is expired. I only can dream of this, i was in my childhood and Teenie years far away from England and i saw the big times there always a bit later and only on Photos and Film. trouble is I never hear her mention it .. My 67th Birthday, was touched by the strangest of moments, as I suddenly realised that I was the oldest member of my family. Back Street Crawlers debut album, The Band Plays On, arrived in October 75. Amy Gillett in Las Vegas, NV We found Amy Gillett in Las Vegas - select Amy below based on age, prior locations, and family. Pauls sometimes disruptive behaviour and poor academic record meant he was expelled from school, and gave up his education for good aged 15. I note that we have not engaged here since October. David Kossoff was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants and a radio, film and TV actor. Happier, innocent days, around 1962/4, at first when I was 10/12 and Eddie, possibly, two years younger and Finally, The ABC CINEMA, BOBBIES, WHITELEYS, WOOLWORTHS and NORRMANS were our shelters and scenes of devilment, Keep it real, precious and present My condolences on your childhood friends passing.I knew Sappho or Saffron as we called her,peripherally,as part of a group of habitues at lAuberge in Richmond and just remember her as a pleasant ,friendly and quiet girl-Perhaps,compared to the rest of us young hippies- I also knew that her dad was Alexis K.,one of the formative influences in British music of the sixties /seventies. Sappho, also spelled (in the Aeolic dialect spoken by the poet) Psappho, (born c. 610, Lesbos [Greece]died c. 570 bce), Greek lyric poet greatly admired in all ages for the beauty of her writing style. My body isnt doing great either adjusting to it isnt easy but is some of the reason Im not on here much. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Seems like a very tragic situation. Talking to Richard Lee today and he was telling me he was friends with Sappho when they were in Stage One Productions. (LogOut/ Sandie shook Paul awake, and then he crawled on all fours like a dog pulled a cheque book out of the drawer, signed this cheque and handed it to the dealer..
