Sunday, March 8, 2020

BAD COMPANY: A DOC THAT ROCKS



If like me you grew up during the 60s and 70s there was little doubt that you were able to listen to perhaps the greatest voice in rock n roll, Paul Rodgers. Don’t get me wrong I know there were plenty of great vocalists at the time from Robert Plant to Freddie Mercury. But Rodgers has not only lasted longer than his peers his voice has actually sounds as good today as it did in the past. While some may think of him as the lead singer for Free with their major release “All Right Now” for me he will always be the singer of Bad Company. With the release of this disc we now have a great look at the band, past and present. Okay so maybe not quite the exact present since this documentary was released a few years ago when they had their 40th anniversary. But close enough.

The documentary takes a look at all of the members of the band beginning with their time before forming. Rodgers, as I mentioned, was singing with Free before they broke up. Simon Kirke was the drummer from the band and played with Paul Kossoff, lead guitarist for the band, before joining Bad Company. Bassist and composer Mick Ralphs had been in Mott the Hoople prior to this band. And rounding out the foursome was Boz Burrell who had spent time with King Crimson. This was the classic line up and their involvements prior to joining together shows that they had the chops to start something new.

The end result was one of the first major super bands to arrive on the rock scene, bands composed of members who had had success in other bands prior and now were doing the same after joining together. And success was huge once they took off. The band wasn’t well known but made a name for themselves by constant touring and getting out there for people to hear. Their first album simply called Bad Company was a huge success featuring the hit single “Can’t Get Enough” and fan faves like “Rock Steady”, “Bad Company” and “Movin’ On”.

But they fell prey to the various temptations and issues that all successful bands have problems with. The rock lifestyle of too many drugs, too much alcohol and too much excess took its toll. The broke up, brought in new singers, reformed, broke up and came back together again. Burrell died in 2006 of a heart attack, the lifestyle too much for his body. Kirke confronted his own addictions and came out on the good end. Ralphs dealt with his as well. And Rodgers carried in when he left the groups in another super group, The Firm, that featured Jimmie Page and fronting for Queen after the passing of Freddie Mercury as well as a successful solo career.

At the time of this documentary they had come back together once again. It was time to revisit their past, discuss their issues and demons and to play some magnificent rock music. Sitting along and together they talked about it all and you can tell from listening to them that the three remaining members are glad they are here to do so and enjoying their time together.

But they aren’t the only ones to benefit from this venture. Fans who may have missed them the first time around had the chance to discover them live again. Those who had seen them had the chance to do so again. And a new generation was able to see why they were as popular as they were. And if you missed them live, this documentary gives you the chance to see and hear them and love the band once more.

If you enjoy rock n roll then this will be a must have for your collection. The same if you are a fan of the band and its members. And if you don’t know who Bad Company is I would suggest you start with this and then begin tasting the tracks they laid down over the years. They remain one of the best rock bands ever.

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