Bad Company 40th Anniversary Tour Review

It was one of those 'bucket list' shows. A band I've loved forever but had never had the chance to see. I'd seen Bad Company when Brian Howe was fronting the band, and I'd seen Paul Rodgers solo band, with The Firm and even with The Law. But with the surviving members of Bad Company coming together for a 40th anniversary tour, it was a show I HAD to see.

From the opening notes of the show opening "Rock and Roll Fantasy", the sold out crowd was in the palm of Rodgers' hand and he sounded incredible. It was like I had written the setlist for the band as they tore through "Burnin' Sky", "Gone Gone Gone", "Youngblood", "Shooting Star", "Feel Like Makin' Love", "Ready For Love", "Can't Get Enough", "Electricland" and so many more hits from their illustrious career.

Rodgers is joined on the tour by fellow founding members Mick Ralphs on guitar and Simon Kirke on drums. Todd Ronning from Rodgers' solo band is playing bass and they're joined by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Howard Leese on guitar and mandolin. Leese was  just inducted into the Rock Hall as a member of Heart. Original bassist Boz Burrell passed away in 2006.

Bad Company is continuing their 40th anniversary tour with a number of shows co-headlining with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Punk princess Joan Jett and the Blackhearts opened the show with a rocking 60 minute set that included solo hits "Bad Reputation", "I Love Rock & Roll", "Do You Wanna Touch Me", and "I Hate Myself For Loving You". Jett also included a couple of songs from the Runaways days including the first song she ever wrote, and played three songs from her new album, due out in October.

It was about an 800 mile round trip, but worth every single mile to FINALLY see and hear the REAL Bad Company with the added bonus of a great set from Jett and her band. If you get a chance to catch Bad Company on what may very well be their final tour, do it. You won't regret it as Rodgers sounds absolutely fantastic.

~Crash