Bad Company was formed in England late in 1973 by the seasoned foursome of Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke (both ex-Free), plus Mick Ralphs (ex-Mott The Hoople) and Boz Burrell (ex-King Crimson).
Paul and Mick began writing together in the summer of 1973, and amassing a stockpile of material, they gave serious thought to forming a new band together. They took the name for their power rock supergroup from a 1972 Western film starring Jeff Bridges.
The band’s communal eagerness manifested itself in the speedy output of their debut album. Recorded in November 1973 at Ronnie Lane’s Headley Grange studio in just nine days, the eponymous LP set their blueprint – driving music par excellence with Rodger’s heavy, soulful vocals set against a rock-solid musical backdrop.
Classic tracks included Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Ready For Love and Bad Company.
Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant signed the band to his new Swan Song label, and they hit the big time almost immediately.
Bad Company began to tread water at the tail end of the 70s. Nevertheless, they continued to sell bucket loads of records right up until their 1983 parting shot, Rough Diamonds.
Rodgers played with Jimmy Page in The Firm and then went on to solo work, and Bad Company reformed three years later with ex-Ted Nugent frontman Brian Howe taking Rodgers’ place.
With Kirke and Howe reluctant to let the past slip gracefully away, they added session guitarist Geoff Whitehorn and bass player Paul Cullen for the 1990 album Holy Water.
Their subsequent releases were lukewarm AOR fodder, and by the 90s, Ralphs was the only original remaining member of the line-up.
Bad Company reunited in 2010, recording a live album at Wembley Arena in April.
Guitarist Mick Ralphs was bedridden after suffering a stroke in 2016. He died in June 2025, aged 81.
Paul Rodgers
Vocals, piano, guitar
Mick Ralphs
Guitar, piano
Boz Burrell
Bass, vocals
Simon Kirke
Drums
Brian Howe
Vocals
Geoff Whitehorn
Guitar
Paul Cullen
Bass
Dave Colwell
Keyboards
Steve Walsh
Vocals
Rick Willis
Bass
Robert Hart
Vocals
Video
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