One of the most understated drummers ever, Simon Kirke has relied as much on finesse and space as he has on drive and dynamic. This is a man who understands that sometimes it’s not just what you play that matters, but what you do not play that counts for even more.

He enjoyed his greatest success with Free and Bad Company, and it says much about his quality that Paul Rodgers was keen to work with him in both bands. Kirke has also worked with legends such as Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Keith Richards and Ray Charles.

Kirke came up to London as a 17-year-old to try and make his mark on the blues scene. 18 months later, Kossoff offered him the chance to join Black Cat Bones. Very soon after the pair joined Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser in new band FREE in 1968. Over the next few years, their impact was huge and Kirke’s stylised drumming was a crucial part of the sound.

Simon Kirke has relied as much on finesse and space as he has on drive and dynamic. This is a man who understands that sometimes it’s not just what you play that matters, but what you do not play that counts for even more.

When Free split up in 1973, Kirke and Rodgers started Bad Company, with former Mott The Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and ex-King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell. He has gone on  to work with legends such as Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Keith Richards and Ray Charles.