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| Andy Fraser to Appear in BBC2 Documentary Series - I’m in a Rock ‘N’ Roll Band Andy Fraser, bass player and founding member of the influential rock group FREE, will appear in a five-part BBC2 documentary series, "I'm in a Rock 'N' Roll Band, along with Sting, Roger Daltrey and Bon Jovi. The program is slated to begin airing on May 1. Narrated by British music show anchor, Mark Radcliffe, "I'm in a Rock 'N' Roll Band examines some of the greatest bands in the history of rock 'n' roll from the perspective of the singers and musicians who were part of them. Highlighted bands include the Who, Free, the Doors, Bon Jovi, the Foo Fighters and others. Executive producer Mark Cooper was recently quoted in Variety talking about the show: "We've captured over 100 interviews with rock 'n' roll greats while making this series, from Sting, Roger Daltrey and Jon Bon Jovi talking about what it means to be lead singer, to Jeff Beck and Slash on the role of the guitarist and interviews with drummers Phil Collins and Chad Smith. It's crammed with great stories, brilliant archives and graphics that bring the mythological moments of the great rock' n' roll bands to life." The series is scheduled to culminate in a live studio setting where fans will discuss their favorite musicians and create the "the ultimate fantasy band." Viewers will be able to cast a vote for their ultimate rock 'n' roll musician online. Fraser states: "It was a real kick to be able to participate in this show. It is great to get the thoughts and humor of so many mutually respected musicians all talking about a rock band from the perspective of its individual members." Currently, Fraser is busy preparing for the release his next album, Andy Fraser…On Assignment, on the new, McTrax Music Delivery System, a streaming / delivery, download music / video service (subdivision of McTrax International). The first single and video from the project is "This is the Big One, " an anthem which focuses attention on the subject of global climate change. Fraser recently had one of his bass guitars go on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, while his daughter, Hannah, who appears as a mermaid in "This Is The Big One, " has face time in the recent Academy Award-winning documentary film, The Cove. About Andy Fraser Andy Fraser (andyfraser.com) has a unique place in the canon of rock 'n' roll. In the late 1960's, under the guidance of Alexis Korner and John Mayall - both "Godfather's" of the British blues scene - Fraser, a classically trained pianist, revolutionized the art of bass playing by harnessing the raw energy of the blues, re-energizing it with a hard rock edge for a new generation of listeners. As a founding member of Free, Fraser helped to draft the blueprint for - and was one of the chief architects of - the blues-rock style that spawned the likes of Led Zeppelin, Foreigner and Aerosmith. With Free, Fraser wrote and produced some of their most groundbreaking and best-loved songs, including the worldwide hit, "All Right Now, " recently honored with BMI's "Million-Air" award for passing 3 million radio/television plays in the U.S., making it one of the most enduring classics of the rock 'n roll era. A tireless creator and a perfectionist with an eye and ear for detail, Fraser has written a substantial body of works including Robert Palmer's smash hit, "Every Kinda People." His songs have been recorded by Joe Cocker, Chaka Khan, Rod Stewart, Three Dog Night, Etta James and Bob Seger among others. Fraser has also helmed several post-Free bands - notably Shark and the Andy Fraser Band - and has released several solo works, including the albums, Fine, Fine Line and Naked…and Finally Free. A survivor of both cancer and AIDS, Fraser is a strong environmental and social activist, and defender of individual human rights. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |