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Story and Photos By Andy Argyrakis
Pretty
much every rock and roll band that has stood the test of time has an equally
colorful back story as the songs themselves and Bad Company is certainly no
exception. After blasting to fame throughout the 1970s on the famed Swan Song/Atlantic
label (also the home to Led Zeppelin), the group also became a fixture of the
early '80s before splintering into separate camps that miraculously managed to
continue having success independent of one another.
In
one corner was front man Paul Rodgers (originally of Free fame), who started
out solo, formed the super group The Firm (which included legendary Zeppelin
guitarist Jimmy Page), rebounded with The Law (alongside Faces/The Who's Kenney
Jones) and even fronted Queen for a few years before returning to the solo
fold. All the while, Bad Company remained in the public eye with a pair of
replacement singers that yielded a slew of singles throughout the second half
of the '80s through early '90s, followed by a brief reconnection with Rodgers
in the late '90s.
Past
line-up shifts aside, all the surviving original members have reunited in honor
of its 40th anniversary, which means fans finally get to see
Rodgers, guitarist Mick Ralphs (who first gained notoriety with Mott The
Hoople) and drummer Simon Kirke (also from Free), along with auxiliary
guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Todd Ronning (filling in for the departed
Boz Burrell, also known for his time with King Crimson). Add it all up, and it
meant a sold out visit to The Venue At Horseshoe Casino in Hammond
as part of its first tour through North America in eons.
Throughout
a lean but a little too short 80-minute set, Rodgers' vocal chops were just as
blustery
as back in the day, while the chemistry amongst musicians was so strong it made
all the ensuing years melt away within minutes. From the launch of "Rock N'
Roll Fantasy" through "Run With The Pack" and "Feel Like Makin' Love,"
it was
clear the reinvigorated Bad Company meant business, and besides displaying the
band's classic rock backbone, the players also liberally applied their bluesy
influences.
Fierce
jams like "Ready For Love" and "Honey Child" were juxtaposed with sing-a-longs
like "Shooting Star" and "Can't Get Enough," all resonating with an
unrelenting
fire that doesn't typically find its way onto like-minded reunion tours. By an
encore of "Bad Company" and "Rock Steady," the guys looked like they were ready
to ramp up to the arena circuit again, and whatever caused their dissolutions
in the past seemed to have been permanently forgotten. While the true test will
be any new material Bad Company may consider recording, at least this greatest
hits revue indicated the passion to collaborate together has returned with just
as much force as the first time around.
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