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 2008–2023
Labels	Island Swan Song Atlantic Atco
Past members	Simon Kirke Mick Ralphs Boz Burrell Paul Rodgers Brian Howe Steve Price Dave Colwell Rick Wills Robert Hart Jaz Lochrie Howard Leese Lynn Sorensen Todd Ronning

Bad Company was a famous English rock band. It was formed in London in 1973. The band was a "supergroup" because its members came from other well-known bands. These members were singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke from Free. Also, guitarist Mick Ralphs from Mott the Hoople and bassist Boz Burrell from King Crimson joined.

Simon Kirke was the only member who stayed with the band for its entire history. He and Mick Ralphs played on every studio album. Peter Grant, who also managed Led Zeppelin, managed Bad Company until 1982. Boz Burrell passed away in 2006. Mick Ralphs passed away in 2025. This means Kirke and Rodgers are the only original members still alive.

Bad Company was very successful in the 1970s. Their first three albums were huge hits. These were Bad Company (1974), Straight Shooter (1975), and Run with the Pack (1976). All of them reached the top five in both the UK and US music charts. Many of their songs are still popular on classic rock radio today. Some famous songs include "Bad Company", "Can't Get Enough" (1974), and "Feel Like Makin' Love" (1975).

The band has sold over 20 million albums in the US. Worldwide, they have sold 40 million albums. Bad Company first broke up in 1982. However, they reunited many times to record music and tour until 2019. In 2023, Simon Kirke shared that the band would not continue. This was due to Paul Rodgers' health issues. In 2025, Bad Company was chosen to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Band's Journey

Forming the Group (1973–1982)

Bad Company started in Westminster, London. The four musicians were already experienced. Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke were from the band Free. Mick Ralphs was the guitarist for Mott the Hoople. Boz Burrell was the bassist for King Crimson.

The band signed with Swan Song Records/Atlantic Records in North America. They signed with Island Records in other countries. Paul Rodgers once said the band's name came from a book. It showed a child looking at a suspicious person. The caption warned to "beware of bad company."

Their first album, Bad Company, came out in 1974. It was recorded in Hampshire, England. The album became number one in the US and number 3 in the UK. It stayed on the UK charts for 25 weeks. This album 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" were big hits.

In 1975, their second album, Straight Shooter, was released. It reached number 3 in both the UK and US. This album also sold over a million copies in the US. It had two hit songs: "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. Their album Burnin' Sky (1977) reached number 15 in the US and number 17 in the UK. Desolation Angels, released in 1979, did better. It peaked at number 3 in the US and number 10 in the UK. This album added new sounds like synthesizers. It had two popular songs: "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" and "Gone Gone Gone".

By the late 1970s, the band grew tired of playing huge stadiums. Also, their manager, Peter Grant, lost interest in managing bands. This happened after Led Zeppelin's drummer, John Bonham, passed away in 1980. Simon Kirke said that Peter was "the glue" that held them together.

After a three-year break, they released Rough Diamonds in 1982. This was the last album with Paul Rodgers as the lead singer for a while. It was their lowest-selling album with Rodgers. It reached number 15 in the UK and number 26 in the US. After this album, Bad Company broke up. Mick Ralphs said Paul wanted a break, and they all needed one.

New Singers and Reunions (1986–2023)

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. But Paul Rodgers was busy with a new band called The Firm. So, Mick and Simon found a new lead singer, Brian Howe. He was introduced to them by Foreigner's Mick Jones. Steve Price joined as the new bass player.

Their first album with Brian Howe was Fame and Fortune (1986). It had more keyboards than earlier Bad Company albums. It was not a huge success. For their next album, Dangerous Age (1988), they returned to a guitar-focused sound. This album did better, with songs like "No Smoke Without a Fire". It sold over 500,000 copies.

The album Holy Water (1990) was very successful. It sold over a million copies. It had popular songs like "If You Needed Somebody" and "Holy Water". Their last studio album with Brian Howe was Here Comes Trouble (1992). It included the hit "How About That". Brian Howe left the band in 1994.

After Brian Howe, Robert Hart became the lead singer in 1994. They released the album Company of Strangers in 1995. Another album, Stories Told & Untold, followed in 1996.

In 1998, Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke decided to release a collection of their songs. Paul wanted to add four new songs. So, the original four members reunited in the studio to record them. This reunion was short. But it produced a hit song called "Hey Hey". These new songs were on the album The 'Original' Bad Co. Anthology (1999).

The original four members went on a 32-show reunion tour in the US in 1999. The shows were popular. But after the tour, Mick Ralphs said he was retiring from live performances. Boz Burrell also left. This ended the reunion of the original four.

Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke toured again in 2001. Dave Colwell and Rick Wills joined them. The band went inactive again after a 2002 tour. Boz Burrell passed away in 2006.

In 2008, the remaining original members, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, and Simon Kirke, played a special concert. They were joined by Howard Leese on guitar and Lynn Sorenson on bass. This show was released as a live album and DVD. They played more shows in 2009 and 2010. Mick Ralphs had to miss some shows due to hip surgery.

In 2013, Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd announced a joint tour. It celebrated their 40th anniversaries. They toured together again in 2014 and 2018.

In 2016, Bad Company announced a US tour with Joe Walsh. Mick Ralphs did not join this tour at first. However, he rejoined for a UK tour later that year. After the London show, Mick Ralphs had a stroke. He never returned to the band. Howard Leese played lead guitar after that.

Former lead singer Brian Howe passed away in 2020. In 2023, Simon Kirke said that Bad Company was "pretty much over." This was because of Paul Rodgers' health issues. In 2025, Mick Ralphs passed away due to complications from his stroke.

Original Members

• Simon Kirke – drums, backing vocals, sometimes lead vocals and guitar (1973–1982, 1986–1999, 2001–2002, 2008–2019)
• Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1973–1982, 1986–1999, 2008–2016; passed away 2025)
• Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica (1973–1982, 1998–1999, 2001–2002, 2008–2019)
• Boz Burrell – bass, backing vocals (1973–1982, 1986–1987, 1998–1999; passed away 2006)

Albums Released

See also

In Spanish: Bad Company para niños