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Platinum balladeers
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Easy-to-recall lyrics and well-thought poetry in songs were the main draw of Bad Company
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BAD COMPANY. The first thing that comes to mind is an oft-repeated reason for a parent whose ward is playing truant. The second definition would be a group one should stay away from, especially, if they are outlawed. Surely, very few would think of a band that laid emphasis on good vocals, 'guitaring' and whose lyrics are easy to follow and recall.
Three consecutive albums that went platinum, a No. 1 hit from its very first attempt (Can't get enough), and that too an album, recorded in just 10 days, attaining the top spot. The artistes of Bad Company were luminaries before their first concert.
Formed in the year 1973, in England, the line-up boasted of stars such as Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirk, who were previously members of the group 'Free'.Boz Burrell was an associate of 'King Crimson' and Ian Hunter had been with 'Mott the Hoople'. A combination of good vocals (Paul Rodgers), adroit guitar play (Mick Ralphs) and able support from Simon Kirke (Drums) and Boz Burrell (Bass), Bad Company became a name to reckon with in Rock circles.
The appeal of the group was it's easy to recall poetic lyrics, an amalgam that rarely comes by. Love, an essential portion of the Alchemy of poetry, was used, tellingly, in their very first album with a result that the song Can't get enough of your love saw the top spot on the charts. Other appealing songs of the same album were Ready for love, Bad Company and Seagull.
The band's second album, Straight Shooter, sold platinum like its antecedent, the single Feel like making love from this compilation made to the top-10. Following suite, their third album, Run with the pack, achieved the same milestone.
Innovation and experimentation saw a change in sound, wherein the assemblage used synthesisers and extra guitars. A Desolation angel was the result of this variation. New instruments meant strange entrants. This led to dissention and the disbanding of the group reminding one of the adage x 'Too many cooks spoil the broth'.
The fallout affected both the group and its members. Solo careers seemed the lucrative option or joining other outfits to satiate one's creative urge. Paul Rodgers cashing in on the success of Bad Company forged with Jimmy Page, Tony Franklin and Chris Slade to form a contraption called The firm. It never really took off and after the release of only two LPs disbanded.
Meanwhile, the remaining members of Bad Company regrouped with the former Ted Nugent vocalist Brian Howe. This combination saw one gold Album (Dangerous Age) and a platinum collection (Holy water). A power ballad, If you needed somebody, from the latter reached the top-20.
The next compilation, Here comes trouble, gave the group two more top-40 hits. Two new entrants joined the entourage namely, Rick Wills (bass) and Rhythm guitarist Dave Colwell. Rodgers' career after 'The firm' lost direction and his solo endeavours never caused any ripples. The year 1998 saw Rodgers, Burrell, Ralphs and Kirke reunite and this union brought forth four new songs in the double-CD set The original Bad Company Anthology. They embarked on a farewell tour in the year 1998 only to bear testimony to the maxim, 'United we stand, divided we fall'.
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ROCK REVISITED
Origin: In England, 1973
Founders: Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Boz Burrell, Mick Ralphs and Ian Hunter
All-time hits: If you needed somebody, Can't get enough, Bad Company, Desolate Angel
A. GEORGE ANTONY
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