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By ALAN K. STOUT; The word
Friday, July 02, 1999 Page:
“supergroup” has been used routinely throughout the history of rock music.
There has been, among others, Blind Faith in the ’70s, Asia in the ’80s and
Damn Yankees in the ’90s.
But the original Bad Company- which sold more than 12 million records from
1973 though ’82- might have been the biggest.
Consisting of Free vocalist Paul Rodgers, Free drummer Simon Kirke, Mott
the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell, the
band’s debut LP hit No. 1 on the charts and was followed by a string of gold
records and songs that have remained radio mainstays.
Now, after 18 years apart, the original Bad Company is back. A new double
CD, “The Original Bad Co. Anthology,” not only contains an array of classic
tracks, but some newly recorded numbers.
And the group is back on tour.
“The time seems to be right,” Rodgers said. “When we first got together and
discussed putting together an anthology, the record company said `What can you
put on there that’s going to be really interesting?’ … “I said to Mick, `The
really interesting thing to do would be to put on some new tracks.’ ”
With a catalog that includes standards such as “Can’t Get Enough,” “Feel
Like Makin’ Love” and “Rock and Roll Fantasy,” Rodgers says the band was well
aware that any new music would be held to high standards by the group’s
long-time fans.
“That was the challenge,” he says. “And it was quite a big challenge.”
Adding that he is very pleased with the results, Rodgers says new tracks
such as “Hey, Hey” and “Hammer of Love” have been received favorably by radio
and the band’s audience.
“There’s been a lot of encouragement. Everyone that we’ve spoken to is
very, very pleased that the band is back together again. There seems to be a
deep love for the music.”
Such positive feedback, says Rodgers, inspired the band to head out on
tour. The trek will take the band across the United States now through August.
“There was no master plan to get the whole band together and do the whole
roller coaster-thing again,” he says. “It’s just kind of grown. It was good to
be back with the boys again.
“It was like family.”
Indeed. Unlike many high-profile groups that disband unexpectedly, there’s
little evidence of mud-slinging in Bad Company’s history. Rodgers says he
recalls no real bad blood between the members when he decided to leave the
group.
“If there was any falling out, it was just from the pressure of having been
together. Bad Company was a rock ‘n’ roll fantasy. It was an amazing roller
coaster ride. But there did come a point in 1980 that I felt I needed to get
off for a while and get real and spend some time at home.”
Rodgers eventually recorded a solo album and later teamed up with Led
Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page to form The Firm. Bad Company re-formed in 1986
without Rodgers and also enjoyed considerable commercial success. Looking back
on the original Bad Company’s fast-paced run through the ’70s, Rodgers admits
to some heavy partying, but says the band never really lost its focus.
“When we first got together, Mick and I were frustrated by what was going
on around us in our various bands,” he says. “We wanted to make music that
we’d like to hear if we turned the radio on. It was just music that we felt
needed to be made. We had similar influences in soul and blues and we
complimented each other in writing. There were a lot of great times involved
with that.
“It was always about the music.”
Rodgers says he is unsure about the band’s future beyond this summer’s
tour, but does have a few ideas he’d like to explore.
“I’ve suggested we record the shows,” he says. “The original Bad Company
has not done a live album, so that would be a new and unique thing. As for a
new studio album, it’s certainly true that Mick’s got a lot of songs and I’ve
got a lot of songs and the band is rocking right now. There’s always the
potential there.”
The tour, says Rodgers, will include performances of all the older
favorites as well as some newer numbers.
“It ebbs and flows from night to night, but I’m pretty sure “Feel Like
Makin’ Love’ will be in there,” he says with a laugh. “We’ll delve into all of
the musical past of Bad Company. There’s a different atmosphere and energy
every night coming off of the audience and it’s always brand new …
“It will be a lot of fun.”
The original Bad Company will visit Montage on Tuesday.
WHO: Bad Company, with David Lee Roth.
WHERE: Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center, Scranton.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 6 at 7 p.m.
TICKETS: $32.50, $27.50 and $17.50, available at Ticketmaster outlets,
Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone at 693-4100 or the Montage Mountain Box Office.
INFO: 969-7669.