Tons of Sobs

When Andy and Ray were asked if they’d like to perform at the Steve Smith Memorial gig in Southend earlier this year, Ray said he rather fancied singing a few Free numbers... but as a duo?!! After calls to fellow Free fans Al and Tony, a rehearsal was arranged and a half dozen numbers duly prepared. The chaps clicked in an instant... the rest, as they say, is history!Ray Brown had been heavily involved with Andy over the years through his stellar lead vocals on six titles of Andy’s solo album Afton Down released in 2011. One of which (My Father’s Hand) featured heavily in last year’s SKY TV series Tin Pan Alley, a competition seeking out new British songwriting talent hosted by Mike Read. The song came third out of over six hundred entries! As a founder member of The Illegal Eagles, and still guesting with them on occasions, it was once said that ‘Ray could sing the birds down from the trees’.Also a founder member of The Illegal Eagles, Al Vosper has been about a bit to say the least. It might be easier to document the artists he’s not been involved with at some stage! Al has recently been straddling tours with Alfie Boe, Anastasia and Chris de Burgh. As a huge fan of the music of Free, Al transforms himself into Paul Kossoff with frightening ability.Tony Kiley is the powerhouse behind the band, and another individual who’s been about a bit. Currently the drummer with The Illegal Eagles, Tony’s credits include Alison Moyet, Chris de Burgh, Curtis Mayfield among others, and probably most significantly his many years with The Blow Monkeys.Andy Billups was, with the exception of a brief spell, the bass player with The Hamsters throughout their twenty five year reign. Essentially a guitarist, Andy credits Andy Frazer as the single one individual that made him ‘sit up’ to the role of the bass player in his late teens. As another huge fan of the band Free, Andy completes this dynamic ensemble that is Tons Of Sobs.