Bad Company facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bad Company
The band's original line-up in 1976. Left to right: Boz Burrell, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Mick Ralphs
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Hard rock blues rock
Years active	1973–1982 1986–1999 2001–2002 2008–2019
Labels	Island Swan Song Atlantic Atco
Past members	See: List of Bad Company band members

Bad Company was an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1973. The band was created by singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, both from the band Free. They were joined by guitarist Mick Ralphs from Mott the Hoople and bassist Boz Burrell from King Crimson. Simon Kirke was the only member who stayed with the band throughout its entire history. He and Mick Ralphs were the only ones to play on every studio album. Peter Grant, who also managed Led Zeppelin, managed Bad Company until 1982.

Bad Company became very popular in the 1970s. Their first three albums, Bad Company (1974), Straight Shooter (1975), and Run with the Pack (1976), all reached the top five on the music charts in both the UK and the US. Many of their songs, like "Bad Company", "Can't Get Enough" (1974), "Feel Like Makin' Love" (1975), and "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" (1979), are still played on classic rock radio today. They have sold over 20 million albums in the US and 40 million worldwide.

The band first broke up in 1982, but they got back together many times to record music and go on tour until 2019. In 2023, Simon Kirke said that the band would not continue. This was because Paul Rodgers had some health issues. Bad Company was chosen to be part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.

Band History and Success

Forming the Original Band (1973–1982)

Bad Company started in Westminster, London. The four original members were already experienced musicians. Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke came from the band Free. Mick Ralphs was from Mott the Hoople, and Boz Burrell was from King Crimson. The band signed with Swan Song Records and Atlantic Records in North America. For other countries, they signed with Island Records.

Some people thought singer Paul Rodgers named the band after the movie Bad Company. But Rodgers said the name came from a book of old morals. It had a picture of a child looking at a suspicious person. The caption said, "beware of bad company."

The band's first album, Bad Company, came out in 1974. It was recorded in Headley Grange, Hampshire. This album became number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the US. It also reached number 3 in the UK Albums Chart. The album stayed on the UK charts for 25 weeks. It has sold five million copies in the US. It was the 46th best-selling album of the 1970s. The songs "Can't Get Enough" and "Movin' On" became hit singles.

In 1975, their second album, Straight Shooter, was released. It reached number 3 in both the UK and the US. This album also sold over a million copies in the US. It had two popular singles: "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" and "Feel Like Makin' Love".

Their third album, Run with the Pack, came out in 1976. It reached number 4 in the UK and number 5 in the US.

In 1977, Burnin' Sky was released. It reached number 15 in the US and number 17 in the UK. Desolation Angels, released in 1979, did better. It reached number 3 in the US and number 10 in the UK. This album added new sounds like synthesizers and strings to the band's music. It had two songs that made the charts: "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" and "Gone Gone Gone".

By the end of the 1970s, the band members were not as happy playing in huge stadiums. After their manager, Peter Grant, decided to step back from managing, the band started to drift apart.

A new album, Rough Diamonds, was released in August 1982. This was the sixth and last album with the original band members for a while. It was the lowest-selling album for Bad Company with Paul Rodgers as the singer. The album reached number 15 in the UK and number 26 in the US.

After Rough Diamonds was released, Bad Company decided to take a break. Mick Ralphs said that Paul Rodgers wanted a break, and everyone needed to stop. He felt that the band had become very big, and continuing might have caused problems.

Even though they were famous for their live shows, Bad Company did not release an official live album from this early period until later. What You Hear Is What You Get: The Best of Bad Company was recorded during a later tour and released in 1993. In 2006, the album Live in Albuquerque 1976 was released. It was made from recordings Mick Ralphs had taped during the band's shows.

The Brian Howe Years (1986–1994)

In 1985, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke decided to work together again. Their record label, Atlantic Records, wanted them to use the Bad Company name again. But Paul Rodgers was busy with a new band called The Firm. So, Mick and Simon found a new lead singer, Brian Howe, who used to sing for Ted Nugent. Steve Price joined as the new bass player, and Greg Dechert joined on keyboards. Brian Howe's singing style brought a more pop-rock sound to the band.

The band hired producer Keith Olsen for their first album with the new lineup, Fame and Fortune (1986). This album had a lot of keyboards, which was different from earlier Bad Company albums. It was not a huge success. The song "This Love" reached number 85 on the singles charts. In 1987, Greg Dechert left the band because they decided to use fewer keyboards in their music.

For their next album, Dangerous Age (1988), the band worked with producer Terry Thomas. He brought back a guitar-focused sound. Dangerous Age did better than the previous album. It had several popular songs like "No Smoke Without a Fire" and "Shake It Up." The album sold over 500,000 copies and reached the Top 60.

The band's next album, Holy Water, came out in June 1990. This album was very successful. It sold over one million copies and reached the Top 40. Holy Water was the band's first album on the Atco label. It had popular singles like "If You Needed Somebody" and the title track "Holy Water." Five songs from the album were played a lot on the radio.

Mick Ralphs took a break from most of the Holy Water tour to deal with personal matters. Geoff Whitehorn filled in for him on guitar. Ralphs returned later in the tour. Dave "Bucket" Colwell also joined as a second guitarist. Their tour was one of the most successful tours of 1991.

The last studio album from the Brian Howe era was Here Comes Trouble (1992). It had the hit song "How About That." The album sold over 500,000 copies. Before touring for this album, Rick Wills joined as the new bassist, and Dave Colwell became a full-time member. The band toured with other groups like Lynyrd Skynyrd. They also recorded a live album, What You Hear Is What You Get: The Best of Bad Company, during this tour.

Brian Howe left the band in 1994.

The Robert Hart Years (1994–1998)

In 1994, Robert Hart became the third lead singer for Bad Company. Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke asked him to join. Robert Hart performed with Bad Company in the USA and Canada.

In 1995, the album Company of Strangers was released with Robert Hart. It included songs written or co-written by Hart and Ralphs. The band toured the US with Bon Jovi to promote the album.

In 1996, another Bad Company album, Stories Told & Untold, was released. It featured Robert Hart on seven new songs and seven acoustic versions of older hits like "Can't Get Enough."

For their 1996 tour, the band included Simon Kirke, Robert Hart, Rick Wills, and Dave "Bucket" Colwell. Mick Ralphs did not join this tour due to health reasons.

Paul Rodgers Returns (1998–2008)

In November 1998, Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke talked about releasing a big collection of Bad Company songs. Rodgers decided the album should have four new songs. He reunited with the other three original members in the studio to record these new tracks. This reunion was short, but it produced a hit song called "Hey Hey." The new songs were included on the album The 'Original' Bad Co. Anthology, released in March 1999.

The original four members went on a 32-show reunion tour in the US in the spring and summer of 1999. The tour started on May 15, 1999, in Florida and ended on August 8 in Los Angeles. The shows were popular. After the tour, Mick Ralphs said he was retiring from live performances, and Boz Burrell also left. This brought the reunion to an end. The concert in Los Angeles was the last show with all four original members. Simon Kirke later explained that he and Rodgers did not want to continue because they were sober, and the other two were not.

Paul Rodgers joined Simon Kirke again in 2001 for a tour in the US. They also played some shows with Styx and Billy Squier. Dave Colwell and Rick Wills took the places of Ralphs and Burrell. The tour then moved to the UK.

In January 2002, the band recorded a new live album and DVD called Merchants of Cool. This album featured the song "Joe Fabulous," which became very popular on radio. The Merchants of Cool tour in 2002 again had Kirke and Rodgers as the only original members. Dave Colwell played lead guitar, and Jaz Lochrie played bass. After the 2002 tour, Bad Company became inactive again as Paul Rodgers went back to his solo career.

Boz Burrell passed away on September 21, 2006, at his home in Spain.

Reunion Tours (2008–2023)

On July 2, 2008, it was announced that the original surviving members of Bad Company would play a special concert in Hollywood, Florida. For this show, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, and Simon Kirke were joined by Howard Leese on guitar and Lynn Sorenson on bass. Paul Rodgers said they did this show to "protect the legacy they have built." The live performance was released on Blu-ray, DVD, and CD in 2010. Rodgers dedicated the song "Gone, Gone, Gone" to original bassist Boz Burrell.

Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, and Simon Kirke (with Howard Leese and Lynn Sorenson) performed together again in the summer of 2009. They played 10 shows across the United States. The band then played shows in the UK in April 2010. After that, they toured North America and Japan. Mick Ralphs could not join the Japan dates because he had hip surgery. Howard Leese played lead guitar for the Japanese tour.

In March 2011, a live album called Extended Versions was released. It was taken from the band's UK tour in 2010. This album was the first Bad Company album to appear on the charts in 12 years.

In March 2013, Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd announced a joint 40th Anniversary Tour. This tour celebrated 40 years since Lynyrd Skynyrd's first album and Bad Company's formation. Bad Company appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on June 10, 2013, to start their tour. In 2014, Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd announced another joint summer tour.

Bad Company's first two studio albums, Bad Company (1974) and Straight Shooter (1975), were re-released in 2015. These new versions included remastered songs, single b-sides, studio demos, and unreleased songs.

In March 2016, the group announced a US tour with Joe Walsh. Mick Ralphs said he would not be on this tour, and Rich Robinson from the Black Crowes would fill in for him. In June 2016, the group announced a UK tour with special guests Richie Sambora and Orianthi. Ralphs rejoined the band for this UK tour.

In 2017, Bad Company continued touring with Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Todd Ronning on bass, and Howard Leese on lead guitar.

Bad Company joined Lynyrd Skynyrd again for Skynyrd's The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour. This tour started on May 4, 2018, and ran through the summer.

Former lead singer Brian Howe passed away on May 6, 2020, at age 66.

Bad Company's 2019 tour dates seem to be their last as a band. Simon Kirke said in November 2023 that "Bad Company's days are pretty much over." He mentioned Paul Rodgers' recent health problems as a reason.

In 2025, Bad Company was chosen to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Final Band Members

• Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals and guitar (1973–1982, 1986–1999, 2001–2002, 2008–2019)
• Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica (1973–1982, 1998–1999, 2001–2002, 2008–2019)
• Howard Leese – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (2008–2019), rhythm guitar (2008–2016)
• Todd Ronning – bass, backing vocals (2012–2019)

Albums Released

See also

In Spanish: Bad Company para niños