Bad Company
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- This article is about the rock band. For other uses see Bad company (disambiguation)
History
1970s
The band signed and recorded on Led Zeppelin's Swan Song Records. The bands first single, "Can't Get Enough", which Ralphs had originally written for Mott the Hoople before being told that it was unsuitable for the group, was a Top 20 hit in the UK and Top 10 in the US in 1974. They enjoyed success on both sides of the Atlantic with their debut album Bad Company. The album would rival sales of Led Zeppelin's debut and would be the biggest selling rock debut until 1976 when Boston would release its debut album.In 1975, Bad Company charted with "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" and the slower "Feel Like Makin' Love", both from the album Straight Shooter.
In 1976, the album, Run With the Pack reached #5 on the Billboard chart and was Bad Company's first Platinum certified album.
1977's Burnin' Sky fared the poorest of the first four albums and peaked at a disappointing #12 and was the worst selling Bad Company album until 1982's Rough Diamonds.
1979's Desolation Angels fared better than its predecessor and gave the band their first Top 5 Platinum selling album since Run With the Pack.
The band has a dozen hits that still get lots of air play including hits like "Cant Get Enough", "Bad Company", "Feel Like Makin' Love", "Honey Child", "Live For The Music", 'Movin' On", "Burnin' Sky", "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" and "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy".
1980s
By the end of the 1970s the band were increasingly disenchanted with playing large stadiums. Grant's interest in the group, and in management generally, waned after Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham died in 1980. In the words of Kirke, "Peter was definitely the glue which held us all together and in his absence we came apart."After the release of the album Rough Diamonds in 1982 they disbanded with Paul saying he needed time for his new family , but reformed in 1986 with ex-Ted Nugent vocalist Brian Howe, in place of Rodgers and Steve Price replacing Boz Burrell on bass. Brian sings classic songs such as "Holy Water", and "Here Comes Trouble".
1990s
Throughout the 1990s, the band continued with various musicians, with drummer Simon Kirke and guitarist Mick Ralphs being the only original members (Ralphs sat out most of the Holy Water tour in 1990 although he appeared on the album).Paul at this time was doing many projects Cut Loose a solo Cd, The Law, with "The Who" drummer Kenny Jones ,, and The Firm, with Jimmy Page.The 1995 line-up of Bad Company included Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke plus Dave Colwell (keyboards), Rick Wills (bass guitar), and Robert Hart (vocals).All four Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell, Simon Kirke reunited briefly in 1999 to record four new tracks,that produced the first number one hit in 20 years with "Hey Hey", that appeared on a compilation of previously released material, The Original Bad Company Anthology.
2000s
In 2001, Paul Rodgers, AkA "The Voice" rejoined Simon Kirke, in a small American tour. Merchants of Cool CD/DVD release resulted from those shows and that produced the hits "Joe Fabulous". Dave Colwell, previously second guitarist in the post-Paul Rodgers era of Bad Company, took lead guitar; Jaz Lochrie was on bass. Guest performers at the shows included former Guns N' Roses axeman Slash and Neal Schon of Journey fame.
In 2005/2006, Paul Rodgers toured with Queen. It was stated, including on Brian May's own website, that Rodgers would be "featured with" Queen as: Queen + Paul Rodgers, not replacing the late Freddie Mercury, On April 28/2006, released a live DVD from their collaboration--"Super Live in Japan." with songs by Queen, Bad Company and Free.The show was filmed at Saitama Super Arena on October 27, 2005-called Return of the Champions and album of the same name.There are many bootlegs from nearly every show of the 2005/2006 tour in audio, as well as a few in video form
Members
- Paul Rodgers -- Lead vocals, piano, additional guitar
- Mick Ralphs -- Lead guitar
- Boz Burrell -- Bass
- Simon Kirke -- Drums
Discography
- Bad Company (1974)
- Straight Shooter (1975)
- Run With the Pack (1976)
- Burnin' Sky (1977)
- Desolation Angels (1979)
- Rough Diamonds (1982)
- 10 from 6 (1985) (compilation)
- Fame and Fortune (1986)
- Dangerous Age (1988)
- Holy Water (1990)
- Here Comes Trouble (1992)
- (1993) (live)
- Company of Strangers (1995)
- Stories Told & Untold (1996)
- The Original Bad Company Anthology (1999) (compilation CD)
- Merchants of Cool (2002)
External links
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