Missionaria Protectiva

        Between Paul Rodgers’ wailing, Simon Kirke’s tremendous backbeat, and the steady bass lines of Andy Fraser, Free had more than enough talent. And they had another weapon: Paul Kossoff, a player who brought it all together and elevated their music into the stratosphere.       Kossoff didn’t have the dexterity of Clapton, the finesse of Beck, or the bombast of Page, but he had an innate knowledge of how to do more with less, an instinct to make each note matter musically and emotionally. Sadly, Kossoff died from a drug-related heart attack at 25 during a flight from L.A. to New York, robbing the world of a unique talent.   Back Street Crawler Island,1973 https://www.sendspace.com/file/qqntfx

        Kerry's first band was the Gimlets, which he formed with several close friends in high school. After school and on weekends, they soon found themselves booked throughout Kansas and neighboring Missouri. Kerry's involvement with the band continued through college, before joining the Mellotones, a mainstream rhythm and blues band. Driven by a desire for more creative expression, Kerry formed Saratoga, who played for audience members around the area, including a young drummer named Phil Ehart and a bass player, Dave Hope.       In 1970, they formed the group, Kansas , combining the best members from their respective bands. Known for their sometimes bizarre originality, the band went through several iterations before becoming the six-member group signed by Don Kirshner in 1973. Kerry remained with the band for 13 years as the band's primary song writer, lead guitarist and keyboard player. Penning such prog classics as Journey From Mariabronn and Song for America as well

        Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro was a perpetual pop presence in the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties. His fleet stick work gave Michael Jackson's "Beat It" much of its bite, helped Michael McDonald's "I Keep Forgettin'" simmer wistfully and laid down the   "Rosanna Shuffle " on his own band's megahit of the same name. "Jeff always had a huge part in making a song a record," Porcaro's brother and bandmate Steve   told  Rhythm  in 2013 . "You felt like you were capturing lightning in the studio. It was never boring. … He always came up with the best parts instantly, like he'd been playing the song for years."       Porcaro passed away in 1992, shortly after Toto's eighth album  Kingdom of Desire  was completed; he'd also played on Bruce Springsteen's  Human Touch , and allegedly turned down a million-dollar tour offer from the Boss in order to work with his flagship band.   TOTO Toto Columbia,1978 htt

        There are plenty of players who have left the musical world far too soon and are frequently overlooked or, more commonly, heard but not known. One example that comes to mind is the great and soulful  Carl Radle , the California transplant who made an indelible mark in the world of blues and soul during the 1970’s. A fortuitous connection with Leon Russell landed him the Joe Cocker “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour, while his ability to combine elements of blues, rock, and country made him an ideal member for Derek & The Dominos, as well as Eric Clapton’s touring band.  DEREK & The DOMINOS In Concert Polydor,1973 https://www.sendspace.com/file/nx142v

        The young Allman had greatness thrust upon him after Clapton heard his blistering outro solo on Wilson Pickett’s Hey Jude. Having supplied all the slide and Gibson tones on Derek And The Dominos’ album, Allman played on records by soul stars Aretha Franklin and Percy Sledge.        Fame beckoned with his own band, and he established himself as the world’s foremost slide guitarist. His style laid the groundwork for Southern rock, influencing every drawl-inflected band from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Black Stone Cherry. He was dead at just 24. ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND Idlewild South ATCO,1970 https://www.sendspace.com/file/zw8tuf