Bad Company, The #63 Artist of the Seventies*

This English group formed when two former members of Free, lead singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, joined guitarist Mick Ralphs of Mott the Hoople and bassist Boz Burrell from King Crimson.  The idea for the group name came from a book of Victorian morals.

Bad Company signed a recording contract with Swan Song Records in North America and with Island in other countries.   Armed with that, and the securing of manager Peter Grant (who also managed Led Zeppelin), the group released their self-titled debut album in 1974.  It became a huge hit throughout the world, reaching #1 on the Album chart.  The single "Can't Get Enough" went to #5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The album contains numerous Top Tracks*, including "Movin' On", which reached #19.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The album Bad Company has now sold over five million copies in the U.S. alone.  The title track remains a fan favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will feature four other album tracks.  While not released as singles, they nevertheless are factored in to Bad Company's ranking in this music special.  This is "Rock Steady".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This great number is "Ready For Love".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another solid track on the album is "Don't Let Me Down".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The group had the capability to write reflective lyrics that most other rock groups could not.  This is "Seagull".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With that gem of a debut behind them, Bad Company released Straight Shooter in 1975.  It gave the group a #3 album, and spawned the single "Good Lovin' Gone Bad", a #36 song.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The follow-up was perhaps the single that should have been released first, "Feel Like Makin' Love", which reached #10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Feel Like Makin' Love" led the album to Triple Platinum status.  The album contains another of Bad Company's greatest songs, "Shooting Star".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Run With the Pack also went Triple Platinum.  "Young Blood" was its top single at #20. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another track should have been released from the album.  This is "Silver, Blue And Gold".

In 1977, Bad Company released the album Burnin' Sky, the least received of the group's albums to date.

 

 

 

 

 

In 1979, the group came back with another Top 5 album, Desolation Angels.  The single "Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy" reached #13.

Bad Company didn't care for performing in large arenas, and Grant lost interest in management in general after the death of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham in 1980.  With Grant out of the picture, Bad Company fell apart.

The group reformed a few years later, although Rodgers went on to other projects.  The original lineup has reunited several times, and a version of Bad Company continues to perform to this day. 

Bad Company sold over 15.5 million albums in the Seventies, and they achieved nine hits with two Top 10 songs, as well as numerous Top Tracks* in the decade to achieve their #63 ranking*.