Former Free vocalist Paul Rodgers sang with Jimmy Page – making his first public appearance since the demise of Led Zeppelin – at the ARMS Charity Concerts in 1983, a series of concerts in support of Action into Research for Multiple Sclerosis which were organised by Ronnie Lane (ex-bassist for The Small Faces and The Faces) who was himself a casualty of multiple sclerosis.
Page enjoyed the pairing so much that, after the ARMS shows concluded, he suggested to Rodgers that they form a band.
Jimmy agreed with Paul he would get the rhythm section together for the new band – which he did with ex-Uriah Heep drummer Chris Slade, and Roy Harper bass player Tony Franklin – and rehearsals began at London’s Nomis studio. Thus began The Firm . . . one of the legendary supergroups of the 1980s.
Both Page and Rodgers refused to play any material from their former bands and instead opted for a selection of songs from both their solo albums and new songs which were heavily infused with a soulful and more commercially accessible sound, courtesy of Franklin’s fretless bass guitar underpinning and understated song structure.
In subsequent press interviews, Page frequently reiterated that The Firm was never meant to last more than two albums.
After the band split, Page and Rogers returned to solo work while Chris Slade joined AC/DC.
Paul Rodgers
Vocals
Jimmy Page
Guitar
Tony Franklin
Bass
Chris Slade
Drums
