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The Free Design

The Free Design

A harmonic folk band of the 60s and 70s

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THE GENESIS OF THE FREE DESIGN

March 16, 2023 by freedesign

At the end of 1966, Sandy, Bruce and Chris had moved from upstate New York down to New York City. Sandy´s apartment in Queen’s became a handy gathering place. There they started singing folk music and creating their sound.  They began playing small venues in Greenwich Village and elsewhere in New York City. The group´s name, Chris said, came after they had gone through “a zillion suggestions.” “The Free Design,” he explained, “had to do with our way of singing – there was a lot of counterpoint and individual lines going on all the time.”

Chris, recalls, “We tried to make our own arrangements. People who heard us said, ´Boy, what a great blend.´ So I decided to try writing some songs of our own.” His first effort was “Kites Are Fun.” After his father heard it – and complimented him on it – he suggested that Chris try writing something with trumpets in it. The result was “The Proper Ornaments.” These two songs became their first singles – and “Kites Are Fun” hit the charts.

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  • ABOUT
    ▼
    • Then
    • Now
    • Biographies
    • Discography
  • MUSIC
  • PRESS/MEDIA
    ▼
    • Press
    • Media
  • CONTACT