Simon Kirke

Drummer Simon Kirke kept the beat for two of the '70s most popular bluesy hard rockers: Free and Bad Company. Born in London, England on July 28, 1949, Kirke's family didn't include any musicians, but he developed an interest in music at a young age, when Kirke sang in his school's choir. Shortly after becoming a teenager, the Beatles awakened Kirke's interest in rock music and he picked up the drums, leading to a gig with a local band called the Maniacs, with Kirke supplying drums and lead vocals (a combination quite uncommon at the time). Kirke worked out a deal with his par...