BACK STREET CRAWLER was an assemblage of seasoned Blues Rock players. Guitarist PAUL KOSSOFF released had his first post FREE solo project 'Back Street Crawler' in 1973 before, signing to Atlantic Records courtesy of Ahmet Ertegun, forming the band of the same name in 1975. BACK STREET CRAWLER's progress would be overshadowed by Kossoff's well publicised drug dependency. His reliance on narcotics was common knowledge to such a degree that the guitarist even played upon it, feigning collapses onstage for effect. According to popular legend, BACK STREET CRAWLER celebrated their signing to Atlantic Records by spelling out the band name in cocaine on a glass table top for each of the signatories to indulge in. Ultimately though, Kossoff would lose his battle with drugs.

Joining Kossoff would be frontman Terry Wilson-Slesser, a Newcastle upon Tyne native and and ex-BECKETT member, keyboard player Mike Montgomery and the Texan rhythm section of bassist Terry Wilson and drummer Tony Braunagel. Whilst the unit was being formed, Wilson-Slesser had been rehearsing with former MOTT THE HOOPLE members in the wake of Ian Hunter's exit, but opted to pursue BACK STREET CRAWLER.

A headline tour was conducted in the UK during May and June 1975 prior to finalising sessions for the album 'The Band Plays On', released on September 1st. 'The Band Plays On was produced by Rod Thear at Ridge Farm Studios in Dorking, Surrey and Sawmills studio in Cornwall. To push the record a series of live dates were announced. However, these shows would be curtailed when Kossoff was taken ill with a stomach ulcer. Whilst receiving treatment, Kossoff's condition worsened and suffered a cardiac arrest.

Once recovered, Kossoff and the band performed on BBC television's 'Old Grey Whistle Test' in October 1975. Four live concerts, held in Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle and London, were undertaken in November. Mike Montgomery quit afterwards to be replaced by former FREE member John 'rabbit' Bundrick for a series of US concerts in early 1976. Unfortunately ill health on Kossoff's part, including the guitarist breaking his fingers, resulted in numerous shows being cancelled. The group set to work on their second album, working with producer Glyn Johns in a variety of studios ranging from Electric Ladyland in New York to Sunset and Crystal Sounds in Los Angeles. With the guitarist obviously ailing, session man W.G. 'Snuffy' Walden committed much of the guitar parts to tape. Walden even performed live with BACK STREET CRAWLER in February. With Kossoff resuming his position, the band took on four headlining nights at the Starwood Club in Los Angeles, closing on March 3rd. Notabley, Kossoff's erstwhile FREE colleagues, singer PAUL RODGERS and drummer Simon Kirke, at the same juncture headlining with BAD COMPANY at the Los Angeles Forum, joined BACK STREET CRAWLER, alongside BAD COMPANY's Boz Burrell and Mick Ralphs too, on stage for two nights. A British tour was set to commence on April 25th 1976. Tragically though, on March 19th, Paul Kossoff died from a drug overdose on an overnight flight from Los Angeles to New York.

Recordings from the UK concerts in 1975 were later billed 'Live At Croydon Fairfield Halls 15/6/75'. Following Kossoff's death the band continued under the handle of CRAWLER, recruiting guitarist Geoff Whitehorn and releasing the albums 'Crawler' in 1977 and 'Snake, Rattle And Roll' in 1978, both through Epic Records. Wilson- Slesser later joined CHARLIE and acted as backing vocalist on DEF LEPPARD's 'Pyromania' album. The vocalist was also known to be in contention during 1980 for the AC/DC frontman vacancy following Bon Scott's death. In 1984 Wilson-Slesser acted as an offstage singer for the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, performing on a European and Japanese tour. Bassist Terry Wilson sessioned on DARLING CRUEL's 1993 album 'Passion Crimes'.