“I have no problem singing, it’s the stress of everything else”
Last week, surviving Bad Company members Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke confirmed that they would be reuniting at the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony this coming Saturday, November 8. The duo promised to play two songs, marking their first performance together since 2019. Now, drummer Simon Kirke will be carrying on without singer Paul Rodgers.
“I think the secret is out that we will perform,” Kirke said last week. “I don’t know, I might get into trouble. But I saw some Google News [update] that ‘Bad Company will perform at the Hall of Fame.’ So, I will cautiously say ‘yes.’ I’m not at liberty to say which songs. I mean, quite honestly, I don’t give a shit. We’re going to play, and whatever Paul chooses is fine by me! Just to play with him again is going to be a real thrill for me. I missed him. I missed playing with the band. I miss playing particularly with Paul. He’s such a wonderful singer.”
Sadly, Simon isn’t going to get his wish.
In a statement released Monday, Rodgers revealed that he will no longer be performing at the induction ceremony in Los Angeles.
“My hope was to be at the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and to perform for the fans, but at this time I have to prioritize my health,” Paul stated. “I have no problem singing, it’s the stress of everything else. Thanks for understanding. Simon along with some outstanding musicians will be stepping in for me – guaranteed to rock.”
Back in June, Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs, who co-founded the band, died at the age of 81. A statement from his family said that he “is survived by the love of his life, Susie Chavasse, his two children, three step-children and his beloved bandmates Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke. He also leaves behind millions of devoted fans and friends across the world.”
Mick’s Bad Company bandmates also paid tribute in a statement.
“Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground. He has left us with exceptional songs and memories,” frontman Paul Rogers states. “He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an amazing and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humour. Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh but it won’t be our last. There are many memories of Mick that will create laughter. Condolences to everyone who loved him especially his one true love, Susie. I will see you in heaven.”
Drummer Simon Kirk adds, “He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.”
Ralphs gave his final performance with Bad Company on October 29, 2016, at London’s O2 Arena. Just days later, he suffered a debilitating stroke and remained bedridden until his passing. Also a co-founder of Mott the Hoople, Mick leaves behind a powerful musical legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
Mick Ralphs, born Michael Geoffrey Ralphs on March 31, 1944, in Herefordshire, England, is a renowned British guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with the rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company. Ralphs began playing guitar in his teens and was heavily influenced by early rock and blues artists. In the mid-1960s, he joined the blues-rock group the Buddies and later became a founding member of the band the Doc Thomas Group, which evolved into the band Silence. That group would eventually become Mott the Hoople in 1969 after recruiting singer Ian Hunter and securing a deal with Island Records under the guidance of producer Guy Stevens.
As Mott the Hoople’s lead guitarist and a key songwriter, Ralphs helped shape the band’s early sound—a mix of glam rock, hard rock, and Dylanesque lyrical introspection. Though the band struggled commercially at first, their fortunes changed when David Bowie offered them the song “All the Young Dudes,” which became a hit in 1972 and revitalized their career. Ralphs contributed to the band’s subsequent albums, including Mott and The Hoople, writing songs such as “Rock and Roll Queen,” “Ready for Love,” and “One of the Boys.” However, as the band’s sound became increasingly shaped by Hunter’s piano-based songwriting, Ralphs began to feel stifled creatively.
In 1973, Ralphs left Mott the Hoople to form a new group – Bad Company. Paul Rodgers of Free first met Mick Ralphs in 1971. After an inspired jam session and a mutual sharing of songs, Ralphs made the bold decision to leave Mott The Hoople. Adding former King Crimson bassist/vocalist Boz Burrell and drummer Simon Kirke, Bad Company was complete. With the help of Led Zeppelin’s legendary manager Peter Grant, Bad Company became the first band signed to Zeppelin’s Swan Song label.Their self-titled debut album was released in 1974 and became a massive success, reaching number one in the United States and producing hits like “Can’t Get Enough,” a song originally demoed by Ralphs during his time with Mott the Hoople. Ralphs’ guitar style—marked by powerful riffs, melodic solos, and a bluesy edge—became a cornerstone of Bad Company’s sound. He continued to write or co-write many of the band’s best-known songs, including “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Movin’ On,” and “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad.”
Ralphs remained with Bad Company throughout their classic era in the 1970s, during which they released six albums and became one of the most successful rock acts of the decade. After the original lineup disbanded in 1982, Ralphs took a step back from the spotlight but continued to write music and occasionally work with other artists. He participated in various Bad Company reunions over the years, including a notable tour with Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke in 1999, as well as more limited tours in the 2000s and 2010s. He also released solo material, including his 1984 instrumental album Take This!, which showcased his broader musical influences and capabilities beyond traditional rock.
In 2016, Ralphs joined Bad Company for a U.S. tour supporting Joe Walsh, but after the tour he suffered a stroke that forced him to retire from active performance. Though his health has since limited his public appearances, Ralphs remains a respected figure in rock history. His contributions to two legendary British rock bands helped define the hard rock and classic rock sounds of the 1970s. Known for his tasteful, riff-driven guitar work and enduring songwriting, Mick Ralphs has left an indelible mark on the genre and inspired generations of guitarists to follow.
Bad Company is a British rock band formed in 1973 that became one of the defining acts of the 1970s arena rock era. The group was assembled by former Free vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, along with Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell. Managed by Peter Grant—who also handled Led Zeppelin—Bad Company was the first band signed to Zeppelin’s Swan Song label, setting high expectations from the outset. Their self-titled debut album, Bad Company (1974), became an instant classic, powered by Rodgers’ soulful yet gritty vocals and Ralphs’ blues-inflected riffs. The record produced several enduring hits, including “Can’t Get Enough,” “Ready for Love,” “Movin’ On,” and the slow-burning title track “Bad Company.” The album topped the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and went on to sell over five million copies, establishing the band as a major commercial force.
Their follow-up, Straight Shooter (1975), solidified their status as rock heavyweights. It yielded the hit singles “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad,” both of which became staples of 1970s FM radio. The band’s sound was built on a foundation of blues-rock simplicity and raw emotion, emphasizing songcraft and groove over technical virtuosity. This approach set Bad Company apart from many of their hard rock contemporaries and helped them cross over to a wide mainstream audience. Their third album, Run with the Pack (1976), continued the band’s commercial success, reaching the Top 5 on both the U.K. and U.S. charts, driven by tracks like “Silver, Blue and Gold” and the anthemic title song.
The band’s popularity peaked through the late 1970s, with Burnin’ Sky (1977) and Desolation Angels (1979) maintaining their presence on radio and in arenas around the world. The latter album featured the hit “Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy,” one of their last major chart successes with the original lineup. However, by the early 1980s, internal tensions, heavy touring schedules, and changing musical trends began to take their toll. Paul Rodgers left the band in 1982 to form The Firm with Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, marking the end of Bad Company’s classic era.
In the mid-1980s, the band reformed with new members, including vocalist Brian Howe (formerly of Ted Nugent’s band). This era saw a shift toward a more polished, radio-friendly sound, producing hits like “If You Needed Somebody,” “Holy Water,” and “No Smoke Without a Fire.” These albums—Dangerous Age (1988) and Holy Water (1990)—were surprisingly successful, earning the band platinum sales and renewed radio presence on AOR stations. Yet the chemistry of the original lineup was never fully recaptured.
By the late 1990s, Rodgers and Kirke reunited under the Bad Company name, restoring the band’s blues-rock roots and touring successfully across the U.S. and Europe. Guitarist Mick Ralphs rejoined for several reunion tours, while Boz Burrell, who had left the band years earlier, passed away in 2006. The band continued to perform sporadically through the 2010s, with Rodgers maintaining his reputation as one of rock’s greatest vocalists.
Bad Company’s legacy endures through their timeless catalog, characterized by a distinctive mix of power and soul that bridged British blues-rock with American classic rock sensibilities. Songs like “Can’t Get Enough,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and “Shooting Star” remain staples of classic rock radio. Their influence can be heard in countless bands that followed, from Foreigner to Guns N’ Roses. Across multiple eras and incarnations, Bad Company has remained a symbol of straightforward, soulful hard rock at its finest.
