Paul Kossoff – Life, Death and Legacy of the Free Guitarist
Paul Kossoff shaped the sound of British rock as the guitarist and co-founder of Free, the band behind the global hit “All Right Now.” His playing mixed a deep blues feel with a distinct vibrato, and his work continues to be rediscovered by new generations of guitarists. His life ended abruptly on 19 March 1976, when he was 25, while flying from Los Angeles to New York.
The cause of his death has been reported in several ways. Most accounts describe cerebral and pulmonary edema, and many add a pulmonary embolism from a blood clot in his leg as the underlying event. Drug use played a role in his declining health, but the exact chain of medical events is not always presented the same way.
This piece examines the available record on Kossoff’s death, his family, his guitars, and his career with Free and Back Street Crawler.
What Was Paul Kossoff’s Cause of Death?
| Name | Paul Francis Kossoff | Born / Died | – |
|---|---|---|---|
| Known for | Guitarist and co-founder of Free | Cause of death | Cerebral and pulmonary edema; pulmonary embolism described in many accounts |
Key insights:
- Paul Kossoff died at 25 while flying from Los Angeles to New York.
- The most consistently reported medical description is cerebral and pulmonary edema.
- Many accounts describe a pulmonary embolism caused by a blood clot in his leg.
- Some sources incorrectly state heart failure or overdose as the direct cause.
- Drug use is described as a contributing factor in his health decline.
- His father, David Kossoff, was an actor and writer.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Francis Kossoff |
| Born | 14 September 1950, Hampstead, London, England |
| Died | 19 March 1976, en route to New York, USA |
| Age | 25 |
| Father | David Kossoff, actor and writer |
| Known for | Co-founding Free and the hit “All Right Now” |
| Later band | Back Street Crawler, formed in 1975 |
| Reported cause of death | Cerebral and pulmonary edema; pulmonary embolism in many retellings |
| Role of drug use | Described as a factor in his declining health |
| Canceled event | British tour with AC/DC canceled after his death |
Who Was Paul Kossoff’s Wife and Family?
Who Were Paul Kossoff’s Parents?
Paul’s father was David Kossoff, an actor and writer. The supplied materials do not name his mother, and no further parental details are confirmed.
Was Paul Kossoff Married?
The available sources do not identify a wife by name. Although the name Hiroko appears in some online discussions, the cited research does not confirm it.
Did Paul Kossoff Have a Son Named Simon?
The sources provided do not mention a son named Simon Kossoff, so that claim cannot be verified from the material used here.
The available record contains no confirmed details about Kossoff’s wife or children. Personal claims should be treated as unverified until a reliable source is found.
Why Is Paul Kossoff Associated with the Les Paul Guitar?
His Iconic 1959 Gibson Les Paul (Sunburst)
Many fans assume Kossoff played a 1959 Gibson Les Paul, but the supplied research does not explicitly confirm this model. A guitar-focused outlet, Guitar Gangsters, mentions his guitars and gear without singling out a specific Les Paul in the available excerpt.
Use of Les Pauls in Free’s Biggest Hits
No evidence in the cited material directly places a Gibson Les Paul in Kossoff’s hands during Free’s major recordings. The exact guitars he used remain a matter of inference rather than clear documentation.
Although the 1959 Les Paul is often linked with Kossoff, the cited research does not verify the model. The only guitar-related source available lists his equipment without naming a specific Les Paul.
Paul Kossoff’s Career: From Free to Back Street Crawler
Co-founding Free and the Classic ‘All Right Now’ Era
Free released Fire and Water in 1970, and the single “All Right Now” became a defining rock anthem. Kossoff’s guitar work on that track is often described as a key part of the band’s appeal.
Struggles with Addiction and the Formation of Back Street Crawler
After Free, Kossoff formed Back Street Crawler in 1975. His serious drug dependency and poor health overshadowed the band’s early progress, though they did tour and record.
What Happened to Back Street Crawler After His Death?
Back Street Crawler had scheduled a British tour with AC/DC in April 1976. Those dates were canceled after Kossoff died, leaving the band without its central figure.
Back Street Crawler were set to support AC/DC on a British tour in 1976. The dates were called off after Paul Kossoff’s death.
What Were the Key Events in Paul Kossoff’s Life?
- – Born in Hampstead, London, England. (Wikipedia)
- 1970 – Free releases Fire and Water, including the hit single “All Right Now.” (Louder Sound)
- 1975 – Kossoff forms Back Street Crawler after Free.
- – Dies en route to New York at age 25. (Find a Grave)
- April 1976 – Scheduled British tour with AC/DC is canceled. (Tom Guerra)
How Certain Are the Details of Paul Kossoff’s Death?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Paul Kossoff died on 19 March 1976 at age 25. | Whether a pulmonary embolism from a blood clot in the leg was the underlying event. |
| He died while flying from Los Angeles to New York. | The exact wording of the official medical cause across different records. |
| Cerebral and pulmonary edema is the most consistently reported medical description. | The specific role of drug use in the immediate cause of death. |
| Drug use contributed to his declining health. | Whether some accounts that say “heart failure” or “overdose” are based on unreliable hearsay. |
Why Does Paul Kossoff Matter in Rock History?
Kossoff’s guitar playing is often described as a blend of B.B. King’s vibrato and Eric Clapton’s blues-rock phrasing. That combination helped give Free a sound that stood apart from the heavier blues-rock of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“All Right Now” became a stadium anthem and secured Kossoff’s place in rock history. The song is still played on radio and in sports arenas decades later, and its guitar hook remains instantly recognizable.
For a portrait of another guitarist who took a different path after a period of intense fame, see this related profile: Mark Knopfler – Net Worth, Tour 2025 and Biography.
Where Can You Find More Information About Paul Kossoff?
A range of sources covers different aspects of Kossoff’s life. In addition to his Wikipedia entry, a contemporary record appears in a 1976 New Musical Express article. Tom Guerra’s retrospective offers a longer view.
For fans interested in the specific equipment questions, the Guitar Gangsters piece covers his instruments. The Find a Grave page for Kossoff provides a concise summary of his death record.
What Is the Lasting Takeaway from Paul Kossoff’s Life and Career?
Paul Kossoff’s story is a reminder of how quickly a promising career can end. His work with Free, especially “All Right Now,” continues to reach new listeners, and his guitar style remains a reference point. The circumstances of his death are medically tangled, but the record is clear on one point: he died far too young.
The tragic arc of Kossoff’s life echoes that of other musicians who left too soon. Michael Hutchence – Life, Death and Legacy of the INXS Frontman is another such story.
Frequently Asked Questions
What guitar did Paul Kossoff use?
The supplied research does not confirm a specific model. A guitar-focused source, Guitar Gangsters, lists his guitars and gear, but no Les Paul model is explicitly identified in the available excerpts.
Did Paul Kossoff write “All Right Now”?
The cited sources do not state who wrote the song. They identify “All Right Now” as Free’s hit from 1970, but songwriting credits are not covered in the research.
Was Paul Kossoff’s death caused by heart failure?
Some retellings claim heart failure, but the more consistently reported medical description is cerebral and pulmonary edema. Drug use is described as a contributing factor, not as the direct cause.
Where did Paul Kossoff die?
He died on a flight from Los Angeles to New York on 19 March 1976, at the age of 25.
Did Paul Kossoff have children?
The provided sources do not mention a son named Simon Kossoff. No information about children can be confirmed from the research.
Who was Paul Kossoff’s father?
His father was David Kossoff, an actor and writer. The sources do not provide the name of his mother.
Was Paul Kossoff’s Les Paul a signature model?
No source in the research indicates that Kossoff had a signature Les Paul. The exact guitar model he played is not confirmed.
Was Paul Kossoff English?
Yes, he was born in Hampstead, London, England, on 14 September 1950.
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