After decades of eligibility, Bad Company’s future in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame seemed to be, as the song says, a “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy.”
Now the English supergroup finds itself nominated for the Rock Hall’s class of 2025, one of eight first-timers on the shortlist of 14.
“Bad Company fans and friends have been lobbying for this nomination persistently for years and they never gave up, so big thanks to them,” frontman Paul Rodgers tells Billboard. “According to them, Bad Company fits all of the criteria and then some to be inducted.” Drummer Simon Kirke, however, is more inclined to also note that it’s about time.
“I think it’s been a long time coming,” he says from his current home in New York City. “It has rankled me a bit. We’ve been around a long time and we’ve influenced a lot of bands, and I think it’s a place that we deserve. I’m just pleased that we’re at least on the ballot. I’m happy and I’m honored, and fingers crossed that we make it.”
Formed during 1973 in London, Bad Company brought together Rodgers and Kirke from Free, guitarist Mick Ralphs from Mott the Hoople and bassist Boz Burrell, fresh out of King Crimson. The group was managed by the legendary Peter Grant and signed to Led Zeppelin’s Swan Song label. Its self-titled 1974 debut hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200, going five-times platinum and launching enduring rock radio hits such as “Can’t Get Enough” (No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100), “Movin’ On” (No. 19) and the song “Bad Company.”
Four of the band’s other 11 studio albums went platinum or better, as did the 1985 compilation 10 From 6. All told Bad Company sold more than 40 million records worldwide, with a cadre of other top 40 Hot 100 hits such as “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Young Blood,” “Shooting Star” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy.”
“Leaving behind those three bands that had become a bit of a millstone around our necks, there was certainly an element of hope and a fresh start,” Kirke recalls. “We just basically wanted a fresh start from our old bands, so it was like a phoenix rising from the ashes. I remember when Paul started singing these songs that Mick had written, ‘Can’t Get Enough’ and ‘Ready For Love’…it was really exciting. We just hoped that it was something that would be around for awhile, and here we are 50 years later.”
Rodgers, who splits time between British Columbia and Palm Springs, Calif., says he and Ralphs actually had different visions at the outset of Bad Company. “(Ralphs) recently told me that he thought that we would form a duo like the Everly Brothers. This was a surprise to me,” he says. “For myself after Free imploded…I was determined that my next band would have the best management and we did. Peter Grant was the most powerful, creative manager at the time and he was a large, large part of Bad Company’s success. It is particularly obvious to me now as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, and I look around and hear so many talented musicians who are not getting the break they need to reach the masses. I hope they find their Peter Grant.”
The original Bad Company foursome came to a stop in 1982. Ralphs and Kirke resumed from 1986-99 with a succession of other musicians — and had some success with the platinum Holy Water album in 1990 and singles such as the title track, “How About That,” “If You Needed Somebody” and “No Smoke Without Fire.” The original foursome reunited during 1989-99, playing live and releasing four new songs on The ‘Original’ Bad Co. Anthology. Burrell passed away in 1999 from a heart attack at 60, and Rodgers and Kirke reformed Bad Company two years later, with Ralphs coming back on board from 2008-2016, when a stroke rendered him unable to continue touring. (Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes, also nominated for the Rock Hall this year, was an additional guitarist during 2016).
Bad Company last toured during 2019, and Kirke confirms that “I think it’s safe to say (the band’s) playing days are pretty much over.”
He and Rodgers are still active, however. Though Rodgers is also battling health issues — he’s suffered several strokes since 2016 and 2019 — he released the solo album Midnight Rose during 2023 and is continuing to write new material. Kirke, meanwhile, has written a stage musical about addiction that’s currently being shopped and is planning to record his fourth solo album during the spring.
Both men, and likely Ralphs, will be watching the Rock Hall voting period play out, too — if not with bated breath, then certainly with interest. “My hope,” Rodgers says, “is if we are going to be inducted, let it be while Mick is still here. I do hope that the induction happens while Mick can experience, it too.”
