Bad Company -

Bad Company was an English hard-rock supergroup led by Free vocalist Paul Rodgers. They released six albums between 1974 and 1982 on Swan Song and achieved FM evergreen status with the hits “Can’t Get Enough,” “Rock Steady,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and “Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy.” In 1986, they reconvened with singer Brian Howe for an Atlantic run that spawned the 1988 hit “One Night.”

Members: Simon Kirke (drums), Mick Ralphs (guitar, 1973-2000, 2008-present), Paul Rodgers (vocals, keyboards, guitar, 1973-82, 1998-present), Boz Burrell (bass, 1973-86, 1998-99), Brian Howe (vocals, 1986-94), Steve Price (bass, 1986-90), Gregg Dechert (keyboards, 1986-87), Larry Oakes (guitar, keyboards, 1986-90)

Background

Bad Company formed in London in 1973 when singer Paul Rodgers and guitarist Mick Ralphs assembled bassist Boz Burrell and drummer Simon Kirke. Rodgers and Kirke recorded six prior albums with Free while Ralphs held comparable tenure with Mott the Hoople. Burrell, a Sixties beat veteran, played in a recent transitory lineup of King Crimson.

Free

Paul Bernard Rodgers was born on December 17, 1949, in Middlesbrough, England. He played bass in The Roadrunners, then moved into the lead vocal role as they morphed into The Wildflowers. Rodgers then fronted Brown Sugar on the London R&B circuit, where guitarist Paul Kossoff and drummer Simon Kirke heard him at the Fickle Pickle club in Finsbury Park.

Simon Frederick St George Kirke was born on July 28, 1949, in Lambeth, London. He picked up drums as a teenager and fronted The Maniacs before linking with Kossoff in Black Cat Bones, their springboard to Free with Rodgers and bassist/songwriter Andy Fraser.

Free recorded the 1969 albums Tons of Sobs and Free, followed by the 1970 albums Fire and Water and Highway. After their initial split, Island issued Free Live! while Rodgers led the unrecorded Peace and Kirke recorded Kossoff Kirke Tetsu Rabbit with Kossoff, bassist Tetsu Yamauchi, and keyboardist John “Rabbit” Bundrick. Free regrouped for the 1972 album Free at Last, then ended after the 1973 album Heartbreaker, recorded after Fraser’s exit for Sharks. Kossoff turned his subsequent solo project into Back Street Crawler (known as Crawler after his 1976 death).

Mick Ralphs

Michael Geoffrey Ralphs was born on March 31, 1944, in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire. He played in the Buddies before he formed the Doc Thomas Group in 1966 with singer Stan Tippins and bassist Pete Overend Watts. The group recorded in Italy and worked in Britain as the Shakedown Sound and Silence. Silence cut Rockfield Studios demos for label approaches before Guy Stevens brought the group to Island, where Ian Hunter replaced Tippins and the band became Mott the Hoople.

Ralphs played guitar on Mott the Hoople’s 1969–73 albums Mott the Hoople, Mad Shadows, Wildlife, Brain Capers, All the Young Dudes, and Mott. He wrote “Rock and Roll Queen” for the group’s first album and placed “Ready for Love” on All the Young Dudes. Mott the Hoople did not use the Ralphs songs “Can’t Get Enough” and “Movin’ On,” which he carried into the Bad Company period.

Boz Burrell

Raymond “Boz” Burrell was born on August 1, 1946, in Holbeach, Lincolnshire. He played rhythm guitar with the Tea Time 4 at George Farmer School, then attended King’s Lynn Technical College. The Tea Time 4 moved to London and became the Boz People with keyboardist Ian McLagan.

The Boz People recorded four Columbia singles and backed Kenny Lynch and Elkie Brooks. Under the name Boz, Burrell cut six Columbia singles between 1966 and 1968; his 1968 version of “I Shall Be Released” featured bassist Chas Hodges and three-fifths of Deep Purple: organist Jon Lord, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, and drummer Ian Paice.

Burrell sang with Centipede on the 1971 album Septober Energy, then joined King Crimson as singer and bassist for the 1971 album Islands and the 1972 live album Earthbound. He played on the 1973 Peter Sinfield solo album Still. Burrell also joined Alexis Korner, Peter Thorup, Ian Wallace, and Mel Collins in Snape for the 1973 albums Accidentally Born in New Orleans and Live on Tour in Germany.

Meanwhile, Rodgers met Ralphs after Free disbanded and Mott the Hoople entered their final period. The pair jammed and compared unused songs, then Ralphs left Mott to form a new band with Rodgers. They recruited Burrell and added Kirke to the new band, which Rodgers named Bad Company. He secured the services of Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant, who chose Bad Company as the first act on the Zeppelin label venture Swan Song.

Bad Company

Bad Company released their self-titled debut album in May 1974 on Island in the UK and Swan Song in the US.

The album contains seven originals and “Ready for Love,” a Mick Ralphs title first recorded by Mott the Hoople. Bad Company cut the album as a four-piece, with singer, keyboardist, and guitarist Paul Rodgers, guitarist and keyboardist Mick Ralphs, bassist Boz Burrell, and drummer Simon Kirke. Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie add backing vocals to “Don’t Let Me Down,” while saxophonist Mel Collins appears on “The Way I Choose.”

“Can’t Get Enough” pumps through a shuffled riff, hand-count entrance, and Rodgers vocal with a swaggered reach. “Rock Steady” rolls from rocky licks into a jam break, where Ralphs fires searing fills against backing-soul replies. “Ready For Love” slows around piano, cooing harmony pads, and a pleading lead vocal held below the heavier band entry. “Don’t Let Me Down” tightens a dramatic crawl with gospel-flavored backing replies, sultry saxophone, and a long Ralphs solo.

“Bad Company” drops from a hushed opening into heavier title hits, then returns to the outlaw hush. “The Way I Choose” lingers on a chiming figure and subdued rhythm parts under a conflicted Rodgers vocal. “Movin’ On” barrels through road-song rock with harmonies behind Rodgers and a searing solo after the vocal break. “Seagull” strips to Rodgers’ acoustic strum and wistful vocal.

A1. “Can’t Get Enough” (4:17) – Ralphs
A2. “Rock Steady” (3:47) – Rodgers
A3. “Ready for Love” (5:03) – Ralphs
A4. “Don’t Let Me Down” (4:22) – Rodgers, Ralphs

B1. “Bad Company” (4:51) – Rodgers, Kirke
B2. “The Way I Choose” (5:06) – Rodgers
B3. “Movin’ On” (3:24) – Ralphs
B4. “Seagull” (4:04) – Rodgers, Ralphs

Bad Company self-produced the album in November 1973 at Headley Grange in East Hampshire with Ronnie Lane’s Mobile Studio, where Quadrophenia soundman Ron Nevison engineered the sessions in sequence with the second album by Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers.

Bad Company appeared in a Hipgnosis sleeve with art direction by Bob Wynne. The black front cover presents the “Bad Co” logo with palm lines visible inside the letterforms.

Swan Song lifted “Can’t Get Enough” as a May 1974 single (b/w “Little Miss Fortune”), which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In January 1975, “Movin’ On” became the second US single (b/w “Easy on My Soul”) and reached No. 19 on the same chart.

Bad Company reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart.

Straight Shooter

Bad Company released their second album, Straight Shooter, in March 1975 on Island in the UK and Swan Song in the US.

Straight Shooter contains eight originals by Rodgers, Ralphs, Kirke, and the Rodgers–Ralphs team. The original four-piece remains intact, while Jimmy Horowitz adds strings to “Weep No More.”

“Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” punches from a thumping count into distorted power-chords, with Burrell’s syncopated transition pulling the track down before Rodgers climbs back to full volume. “Feel Like Makin’ Love” shifts from a bright acoustic setup into distorted Ralphs chords, then lets a laidback late lead feed the long coda. “Weep No More” sets string figures against a steady piano-driven body, organ touches, and a bluesy lead in the later pass.

“Shooting Star” starts with tremolo effects, keeps acoustic rhythms under the story, then expands to three-part title replies and an instrumental lift. “Deal With the Preacher” clenches through sharp bluesy guitar and a calmer bridge before the full-band jam returns. “Wild Fire Woman” motors on a driving rhythm and high Rodgers shouts. “Anna” dazes through electric piano with Kirke’s emphatic fills under Rodgers’ sweeter vocal. “Call on Me” lingers over simple arpeggios, subtle fills, and a long final stretch around a repeated support pledge.

A1. “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” (3:35) – Ralphs
A2. “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (5:12) – Rodgers, Ralphs
A3. “Weep No More” (3:59) – Kirke
A4. “Shooting Star” (6:16) – Rodgers

B1. “Deal With the Preacher” (5:01) – Rodgers, Ralphs
B2. “Wild Fire Woman” (4:32) – Rodgers, Ralphs
B3. “Anna” (3:41) – Kirke
B4. “Call on Me” (6:03) – Rodgers

Bad Company recorded Straight Shooter in September 1974 at Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire with engineer Ron Nevison. The group mixed the album with Nevison at AIR Studios in London. Straight Shooter appeared in a sleeve designed by Hipgnosis.

Swan Song lifted “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” as a March 1975 single (b/w “Whiskey Bottle”), which reached No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Feel Like Makin’ Love” became the June 1975 US single (b/w “Wild Fire Woman”) and reached No. 10 on the same chart.

Straight Shooter reached No. 3 on both the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart. Bad Company promoted the album with a US tour that included a May 14 show at Greensboro Coliseum with special guest Maggie Bell.

Millie Jackson covered “Feel Like Makin’ Love” on her 1976 album Free and in Love, selected just as the title-sake 1975 Roberta Flack ballad (written by Gene McDaniels) gained ubiquity as a soul-cover choice.

Run With the Pack

Bad Company released their third album, Run With the Pack, in January 1976 on Swan Song.

Run With the Pack contains nine originals and a cover of The Coasters’ “Young Blood.” The group uses backing vocals inside the main ensemble credits, with Rodgers, Ralphs, Burrell, and Kirke all credited on the title “Honey Child.”

“Live For the Music” guzzles on a syncopated one-note riff and a short delayed lead. “Simple Man” kicks back from acoustic arpeggio into electric answers, with Rodgers held in a plaintive setting. “Honey Child” drives through a chorus-effect riff under compact group vocal replies. “Love Me Somebody” settles under a low-starting vocal that rises toward Rodgers’ stronger range. “Run With the Pack” expands from a low-key setup into strings, a repeated pack chant, and a drawn-out coda.

“Silver, Blue & Gold” moves through two tempos, phased voices, and chordal fourths around a piano base. “Do Right by Your Woman” knocks back on twelve-string acoustic, harmonica fill, and campfire-style group singing. “Sweet Lil’ Sister” punches through basic rock-blues riffing. “Fade Away” leaves the album on a melancholy slow turn.

A1. “Live for the Music” (3:58) – Ralphs
A2. “Simple Man” (3:37) – Ralphs
A3. “Honey Child” (3:15) – Rodgers, Ralphs, Burrell, Kirke
A4. “Love Me Somebody” (3:09) – Rodgers
A5. “Run With the Pack” (5:21) – Rodgers

B1. “Silver, Blue and Gold” (5:03) – Rodgers
B2. “Young Blood” (2:37) – Leiber, Stoller, Pomus
B3. “Do Right by Your Woman” (2:51) – Rodgers
B4. “Sweet Lil’ Sister” (3:29) – Ralphs
B5. “Fade Away” (2:54) – Rodgers

Bad Company recorded the album with Nevison in September 1975 in Grasse, France, with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. The group mixed the album in Los Angeles with Eddie Kramer.

Run With the Pack appeared in a sleeve by Kosh, with photography by David Alexander. The original gatefold used a shiny silver exterior and an interior photo of the band around a couch near a television.

Island issued “Run With the Pack” as a March 1976 UK single (b/w “Do Right by Your Woman”).

Swan Song issued “Young Blood” as a March 1976 US single (b/w “Do Right by Your Woman”), which reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Honey Child” followed as a July 1976 US single (b/w “Fade Away”) and reached No. 59 on the same chart.

Run With the Pack reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart.

Burnin’ Sky

Bad Company released their fourth album, Burnin’ Sky, in March 1977 on Island and Swan Song.

Burnin’ Sky expands the program to twelve titles, with Rodgers credited on most of the material. The album adds saxophone, flute, and keyboards through returning guest Mel Collins and keyboardist Tim Hinkley.

“Burnin’ Sky” clenches around a four-note figure, thunder peals, treated Rodgers vocal, phasing fills, and a spare thud from the rhythm pair. “Morning Sun” dazes through acoustic 12-string picking, phasing between vocal passages, and flute interludes. “Leaving You” holds the group’s mid-tempo stride under full Ralphs chords and plain Rodgers phrasing. “Like Water” slows to a subdued Rodgers vocal and a kinder band setting. “Knapsack” breaks into a beer-hall singalong.

“Everything I Need” kicks from the “Happy Wanderer” intro into a 1950s-styled lark with an offbeat lilt. “Heartbeat” saunters on a low Burrell figure and medium-paced sway. “Peace of Mind” knocks back with piano touches and mild barroom motion. “Too Bad” barrels through the heaviest run with a swaggering riff. “Man Needs Woman” motors in the same high gear, with Mel Collins saxophone in the side lane. “Master of Ceremony” guzzles across a two-chord organ vamp, echoey Rodgers phrasing, reedy breaks, and a long fuzzy jam.

A1. “Burnin’ Sky” (5:09) – Rodgers
A2. “Morning Sun” (4:07) – Rodgers
A3. “Leaving You” (3:23) – Rodgers
A4. “Like Water” (4:18) – Rodgers, Machiko Shimizu
A5. “Knapsack” (1:20) – Möller, Ridge
A6. “Everything I Need” (3:22) – Rodgers, Ralphs, Kirke, Burrell

B1. “Heartbeat” (2:36) – Rodgers
B2. “Peace of Mind” (3:22) – Kirke
B3. “Passing Time” (2:30) – Rodgers
B4. “Too Bad” (3:47) – Ralphs
B5. “Man Needs Woman” (3:43) – Ralphs
B6. “Master of Ceremony” (7:10) – Rodgers, Ralphs, Kirke, Burrell

Bad Company self-produced Burnin’ Sky between July and August 1976 at Château d’Hérouville in Hérouville, France, with engineer Chris Kimsey. Their booking forced June client David Bowie to move sessions for his album in-progress, Low, to Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, thus initiating the singer’s legendary “Berlin trilogy.”

Burnin’ Sky appeared in a gatefold sleeve whose front image shows four hat-wearing figures in a staged Western tableau.

Island lifted “Everything I Need” as a February 1977 single. Swan Song issued “Burnin’ Sky” as an April 1977 US single (b/w “Everything I Need”).

Burnin’ Sky reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 17 on the UK Albums Chart.

Desolation Angels

Bad Company released their fifth album, Desolation Angels, in March 1979 on Swan Song.

Desolation Angels contains ten originals split among Rodgers, Ralphs, Burrell, Kirke, and the Burrell–Kirke team. Rodgers adds synthesizer to his keyboard credits, while backing vocal group The Bones appears on “She Brings Me Love.”

“Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy” pumps from a guitar-synth figure into compact singalong lift, with Rodgers’ solo folded into Ralphs’ touches. “Crazy Circles” drifts on nylon-string acoustic and underlying piano before the solo rises out of the quiet body. “Gone, Gone, Gone” barrels on its main riff and road-hard momentum. “Evil Wind” grinds through Ralphs licks and a hard cruising motion. “Early in the Morning” slows for Rodgers’ lowered delivery and a long late ad-lib stretch.

“Lonely for Your Love” boogies on a shout-out refrain. “Oh, Atlanta” shakes through dusty twang and harmonica. “Take the Time” lingers on acoustic figures and slide interludes. “Rhythm Machine” struts on plucked bass and electronic percussion. “She Brings Me Love” rises toward a choral crescendo with ARP string-synth underneath.

A1. “Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy” (3:15) – Rodgers
A2. “Crazy Circles” (3:32) – Rodgers
A3. “Gone, Gone, Gone” (3:50) – Burrell
A4. “Evil Wind” (4:22) – Rodgers
A5. “Early in the Morning” (5:45) – Rodgers

B1. “Lonely for Your Love” (3:26) – Ralphs
B2. “Oh, Atlanta” (4:08) – Ralphs
B3. “Take the Time” (4:14) – Ralphs
B4. “Rhythm Machine” (3:44) – Kirke, Burrell
B5. “She Brings Me Love” (4:42) – Rodgers

Bad Company recorded Desolation Angels between August and September 1978 at Ridge Farm Studio in Surrey with engineer Tony Patrick. The group took production credit on the album.

Desolation Angels appeared in a Hipgnosis sleeve with photography credited to the design firm. The front cover places photo models Christel Johansson and Peter Christopherson in a staged roadside composition.

Swan Song lifted “Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy” as a February 1979 single (b/w “Crazy Circles”), which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Gone, Gone, Gone” followed as a July 1979 US single (b/w “Take the Time”) and reached No. 56 on the same chart.

Desolation Angels reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart.

Rough Diamonds

Bad Company released their sixth album, Rough Diamonds, in August 1982 on Swan Song.

Rough Diamonds closes the original-lineup sequence. Rodgers takes lead guitar on “Painted Face,” “Cross Country Boy,” and “Downhill Ryder,” while keyboardist John Cook and saxophonist Mel Collins appear as the credited guests.

“Electricland” rolls through electric-piano stride, Rodgers’ hoarse lead, and hard Ralphs fills. “Untie the Knot” loosens into a quirkier mid-tempo shuffle with sparse keyboard support. “Nuthin’ on the TV” stretches a complaint into a plain twelve-bar jam. “Painted Face” starts with a contoured vocal setup, then turns to keyboard gloss.

“Kickdown” settles into a nightclub-jam pattern under Rodgers’ rougher vocal lift. “Cross Country Boy” salutes a brisk, homespun turn and brief piano intro. “Downhill Ryder” clenches around a five-note riff. “Racetrack” saves slide chords for the last stretch.

A1. “Electricland” (5:29) – Rodgers
A2. “Untie the Knot” (4:07) – Rodgers, Kirke
A3. “Nuthin’ on the TV” (3:46) – Burrell
A4. “Painted Face” (3:24) – Rodgers
A5. “Kickdown” (3:35) – Ralphs

B1. “Ballad of the Band” (2:10) – Burrell
B2. “Cross Country Boy” (3:00) – Rodgers
B3. “Old Mexico” (3:49) – Ralphs
B4. “Downhill Ryder” (4:09) – Rodgers
B5. “Racetrack” (4:44) – Rodgers

Bad Company recorded Rough Diamonds between March and April 1981 at Ridge Farm Studios in Surrey with engineer Max Norman. The group took production credit on the album.

Rough Diamonds appeared in a sleeve designed and photographed by Assorted Images and Hipgnosis.

Swan Song lifted “Electricland” as an August 1982 single (b/w “Untie the Knot”), which reached No. 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Rough Diamonds reached No. 26 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 15 on the UK Albums Chart.

Breakup, Solo Work, and Reformation

Bad Company halted after Rough Diamonds when Paul Rodgers left amid family demands and fatigue with the band schedule. In October 1983, he released the Atlantic solo album Cut Loose, a self-contained effort with ten originals, including the epic ballad “Live in Peace.” The following month, he deputized Steve Winwood for the American leg of ARMS (Action into Research for Multiple Sclerosis), a series of charitble concerts organized by Faces legend Ronnie Lane, an MS patient.

The all-star band featured Andy Fairweather Low, Lane’s Faces colleagues Kenney Jones and Ron Wood, and Wood’s current Rolling Stones bandmates Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. ARMS also marked the first on-stage union of all-three Yardbirds guitar legends: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.

After the tour, Rodgers and Page formed The Firm with bassist Tony Franklin and former Earth Band drummer Chris Slade. This marked the full reemergence of the former Led Zeppelin guitarist who, apart from work on the 1982 Death Wish II sountrack, had been quiet since the aborted XYZ sessions. The Firm released a 1985 self-titled album, which spawned FM/MTV hits with “Radioactive” and “Satisfaction Guaranteed.” Their 1986 followup, Mean Business, included “All the King’s Horses” and the Rodgers remake “Live in Peace.” They folded after the corresponding tour. Rodgers later teamed with Kenney Jones in The Law, named after mid-Seventies American hard-rockers Law, a 1975 opening act for Bad Company.

Meanwhile, Simon Kirke joined Wildlife, a younger London-based hard-rock band led by brothers Steve and Chris Overland. Kirk drummed on their 1983 self-titled album, produced for Swan Song by Mick Ralphs. Elsewhere, Boz Burrell backed Roger Chapman on the ex-Family singer’s 1983 solo album Mango Crazy. In 1984, Ralphs went solo with Take This!, backed by Kirke and bassist Micky Feat. Ralphs also backed David Gilmour on the tour behind the Pink Floyd frontman’s 1984 solo album About Face.

In 1986, Ralphs and Kirke received permission by Rodgers to reactivate the Bad Company name. For the reformed band, they hired bassist Steve Price, keyboardist Gregg Dechert, and singer Brian Howe.

Brian Anthony Howe was born on July 22, 1953, in Portsmouth, Hampshire. He cut a 1979 single with the pop group Shy and did a brief post-album stint with NWOBHM legends White Spirit. In 1984, he reached US hard-rock audiences through the Ted Nugent album Penetrator. Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones connected Howe with Ralphs and Kirke during the new Bad Company search.

Fame and Fortune

Bad Company released their seventh album, Fame and Fortune, in October 1986 on Atlantic.

Fame and Fortune introduces singer Brian Howe and starts the group’s post-Rodgers sequence. The album features Ralphs and Kirke with bassist Steve Price and keyboardist Gregg Dechert. Mick Jones served as executive producer and co-wrote “Burning Up” and “Hold on My Heart.”

“Burning Up” barrels through an uptempo hard-rock drive and a bright Ralphs solo. “This Love” eases from lighter early passages into a harder main lift, with saxophone threaded through the polished finish. “Fame and Fortune” clenches around a firm thump, harder Ralphs edge, and Howe’s broad phrasing. “That Girl” holds Howe in check at first, then revs the main vocal turn. “Tell It Like It Is” punches through a swinging rock beat and brassy backing.

“Long Walk” starts at a slower stride, then ramps through brighter sections toward a full uptempo close. “Valerie” motors through polished mid-eighties rock and a compact Ralphs solo. “When We Made Love” slows around Howe’s rasp and a high-sheen keyboard bed. “If I’m Sleeping” rolls under a low-mixed guitar thread, then hands the main lift to a brighter keyboard figure.

A1. “Burning Up” (4:02) – Ralphs, Jones
A2. “This Love” (4:21) – Howe, Fretwell
A3. “Fame and Fortune” (3:35) – Ralphs
A4. “That Girl” (4:01) – Howe, Ralphs
A5. “Tell It Like It Is” (3:52) – Howe, Ralphs

B1. “Long Walk” (3:34) – Howe, Dechert
B2. “Hold on My Heart” (4:25) – Howe, Dechert, Jones
B3. “Valerie” (3:29) – Howe, Ralphs
B4. “When We Made Love” (4:18) – Howe, Kirke, Bettis
B5. “If I’m Sleeping” (3:30) – Howe, Ralphs, Kirke, Dechert

Bad Company recorded Fame and Fortune at The Sol in Berkshire with producer Keith Olsen and engineer Stuart Epps. The group mixed the album at Goodnight L.A. and the Hit Factory in New York with Frank Filipetti.

Atlantic lifted “This Love” as an October 1986 single (b/w “Tell It Like It Is”), which reached No. 85 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 12 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

“That Girl” followed as a February 1987 US single (b/w “If I’m Sleeping”). Atlantic issued “Fame and Fortune” as a February 1987 UK single (b/w “When We Made Love”), and the title reached No. 37 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

Fame and Fortune reached No. 106 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Dangerous Age

Bad Company released their eighth album, Dangerous Age, in August 1988 on Atlantic.

Dangerous Age retains Howe, Ralphs, Kirke, and Price with Terry Thomas as producer, co-writer, keyboardist, guitarist, and backing vocalist. Thomas shares authorship on all eleven titles, while Jon Mallison adds backing vocals.

“One Night” motors through broad hard-rock motion and Howe’s full-throated lead. “Shake It Up” kicks through a lean rock track with direct section turns. “No Smoke Without a Fire” guzzles out of a slow-roll intro into a gritty riff and Kirke’s thump. “Bad Man” struts from a jaunty recurring figure into a fuller Howe shout. “Dangerous Age” grinds from a bluesy Ralphs figure into a hard main section.

“Dirty Boy” pumps through an upbeat body, heavier beat, and a sharp solo. “Rock of America” salutes straight uptempo rock without much arrangement spread. “Something About You” dazes through slower delivery, an underplayed electric part, and a mid-song solo. “The Way That It Goes” starts at a medium stride, then lifts Howe with gang-vocal backing.

A1. “One Night” (4:38) – Ralphs, Thomas
A2. “Shake It Up” (3:56) – Howe, Thomas
A3. “No Smoke Without a Fire” (4:33) – Howe, Thomas
A4. “Bad Man” (3:45) – Howe, Thomas
A5. “Dangerous Age” (3:45) – Ralphs, Thomas

B1. “Dirty Boy” (3:52) – Howe, Thomas
B2. “Rock of America” (3:55) – Howe, Thomas
B3. “Something About You” (4:17) – Howe, Thomas
B4. “The Way That It Goes” (3:25) – Howe, Ralphs, Thomas
B5. “Love Attack” (3:55) – Howe, Ralphs, Thomas
B6. “Excited” (4:32) – Howe, Thomas

Bad Company recorded Dangerous Age at The Farmyard in Little Chalfont and Livingston Studios in London with producer Terry Thomas. The group recorded the album with engineers Andy Scarth, Jon Mallison, and Tony Harris.

Dangerous Age appeared in a sleeve with photography by Johnny Rozsa.

Atlantic lifted “No Smoke Without a Fire” as a 1988 single (b/w “Love Attack”), which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. “Shake It Up” followed as an April 1989 single (b/w “Dangerous Age”) and reached No. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “One Night” and “Shake It Up” each reached No. 9 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

Dangerous Age reached No. 58 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Holy Water

Bad Company released their ninth album, Holy Water, in June 1990 on Atco.

Holy Water expands the Howe–Thomas partnership to a thirteen-title program. The album features Howe, Ralphs, and Kirke with bassist Felix Krish, guitarist–keyboardist Terry Thomas, backing vocalists Lea Hart and Tina Egan, and accordionist Rick Smith. Kirke takes lead vocal and acoustic guitar on “100 Miles.”

“Holy Water” bursts through crunchy Ralphs chords and church-style vocal answers. “Walk Through Fire” barrels through a straight rocker with Howe pressed high in the mix. “Stranger Stranger” saunters on a sly riff, bouncing Howe against backing replies. “If You Needed Somebody” slows into a polished support-vocal setting. “Fearless” punches through hard rhythm chords. “Lay Your Love on Me” drives on a blunt tempo and Ralphs’ direct phrasing.

“Boys Cry Tough” salutes a street-story lyric with repeated title shouts and solo breaks. “With You in a Heartbeat” chugs under alternating Howe and support voices. “I Don’t Care” trades Howe against backing replies and flickering cymbal taps. “I Can’t Live Without You” fist-pumps from a quickened intro into a chanting finish. “100 Miles” kicks back to Kirke’s plain acoustic vocal and a brief closing coda.

A1. “Holy Water” (4:06) – Howe, Thomas
A2. “Walk Through Fire” (4:48) – Howe, Thomas
A3. “Stranger Stranger” (4:51) – Howe, Kirke, Thomas
A4. “If You Needed Somebody” (4:21) – Howe, Thomas
A5. “Fearless” (3:32) – Howe, Thomas
A6. “Lay Your Love on Me” (4:04) – Ralphs

B1. “Boys Cry Tough” (5:34) – Howe, Thomas
B2. “With You in a Heartbeat” (4:34) – Howe, Thomas
B3. “I Don’t Care” (4:33) – Howe, Thomas
B4. “Never Too Late” (3:42) – Ralphs, Thomas
B5. “Dead of the Night” (3:40) – Ralphs, Thomas
B6. “I Can’t Live Without You” (3:50) – Ralphs, Thomas
B7. “100 Miles” (1:57) – Kirke

Bad Company recorded Holy Water during 1989–90 with producers Terry Thomas, Tony Harris, and Andrew Scarth.

Atco lifted “Holy Water” as a July 1990 single, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. “If You Needed Somebody” followed as a November 1990 single and reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

“Walk Through Fire” became the July 1991 single and reached No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Boys Cry Tough” and “Stranger Stranger” also reached No. 3 and No. 9 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

Holy Water reached No. 35 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Discography: