Simon Kirke

English rock drummer best known as a member of Free and Bad Company.

In the first four years Free were together (1968-1971) they had an enormous influence on many bands on both sides of the Atlantic. Their biggest hit, "All Right Now" (1970), was a number one in more than 20 territories. After they disbanded in 1973, lead singer Paul Rodgers went on to become a frontman of the band Bad Company along with Kirke on drums. They were joined by guitarist Mick Ralphs (Mott the Hoople) and bassist Boz Burrell (King Crimson).

After Bad Company disbanded in 1982, Kirke was briefly involved with another band, Wildlife. As well as touring with Ringo Starr's All Star Band on three occasions, he is an accomplished songwriter, releasing Seven Rays of Hope (2005), Filling the Void (2011) and All Because of You (2017).

A governor on the board of NARAS (the Grammy Award Committee), Kirke is also on the board of Road Recovery, which helps teenagers recover from addiction. He lives in Manhattan, he has four children: Domino, Jemima, Lola, Simon Jr. and (step-son) Greg.