Bad Company were an English hard rock band from London. Formed in 1973, the group originally featured vocalist, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Paul Rodgers, lead guitarist Mick Ralphs, bassist Boz Burrell and drummer Simon Kirke. The band's final lineup featured constant member Kirke, Rodgers (absent between 1986 and 1998), guitarist Howard Leese (who joined 2008), and bassist Todd Ronning (who joined 2012).

History 1973–1999 Bad Company were formed in late 1973 by former Free vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, alongside former Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and former King Crimson bassist Raymond "Boz" Burrell. The band were active with their initial lineup until 1982, during which time they released six studio albums that brought them critical and commercial success. After recording sessions for Rough Diamonds led to arguments and confrontations between band members, particularly Rodgers and Burrell, the vocalist left Bad Company and the group disbanded.

In 1986, Ralphs and Kirke began working together on a new project with former Ted Nugent band vocalist Brian Howe. The group was later branded Bad Company at the request of their label Atlantic Records, with Steve Price performing on Fame and Fortune before Burrell returned for the European tour. Gregg Dechert was also added to the touring lineup on keyboards and rhythm guitar. Burrell left after the European tour, with Price returning for the American tour. Price played bass on the album 'Dangerous Age' and completed the American tour before leaving the band in 1990. in 1988, Dechert was replaced on tour by Larry Oakes. Paul Cullen joined on bass after the release of Holy Water in 1990, while Dave "Bucket" Colwell joined on second guitar. Geoff Whitehorn substituted for Ralphs during the tour.

Colwell remained part of the touring lineup in 1992 alongside new bassist Rick Wills, with both featured on the live release What You Hear Is What You Get. In the summer of 1994, Howe left Bad Company and was replaced by Robert Hart. The group released Company of Strangers the following year, on which Colwell and Wills were credited as full band members. In late 1998, Rodgers and Burrell returned for a reunion of the original lineup of Bad Company, recording four new tracks and touring throughout 1999. After the tour, the group disbanded again.

Since 2001 A third reformation of Bad Company took place in the spring of 2001, with Rodgers and Kirke joined by Colwell and Wills. Jaz Lochrie replaced Wills in 2002. In 2008, Ralphs joined the pair for a one-off show at Hard Rock Live. Rhythm guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Lynn Sorensen, both members of Rodgers's solo band, completed the lineup. The same lineup returned for a North American tour the following year, followed by UK and US shows in 2010. Another member of the vocalist's touring band, Todd Ronning, replaced Sorensen in 2012.

For a US tour in mid-2016, Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes substituted for Ralphs, who was "not feeling up for" the shows. He later returned, but was forced to leave later in the year after suffering a stroke. Leese subsequently took over lead guitar. Ralphs died in June 2025.

Members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsSimon Kirkeall Bad Company releasesMick Ralphsall releases from Bad Company (1974) to Live in Concert 1977 & 1979 (2016), except Merchants of Cool (2002) Raymond "Boz" BurrellPaul Rodgersall releases from Bad Company (1974) to Rough Diamonds (1982), and from Merchants of Cool (2002) onwardsBrian Howe1986–1994 all releases from Fame and Fortune (1986) to What You Hear Is What You Get (1993)Steve PriceFame and Fortune (1986) to Dangerous Age (1988)Dave "Bucket" ColwellRick WillsRobert Hart1994–1998lead vocalsJaz Lochrie2002Merchants of Cool (2002)Howard Leese2008–2019Lynn Sorensen2008–2012Todd Ronning2012–2019none

Touring ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsDetailsGregg Dechert1986–1987Dechert performed on Fame and Fortune and the subsequent touring cycle, ending in late 1987.Larry Oakes1988–1989After the release of Dangerous Age, Oakes took over from Dechert as the touring keyboardist.Felix KrishbassPaul Cullen1990–1992Cullen joined the touring lineup of Bad Company following the release of Holy Water in 1990.Geoff Whitehorn1990–1991Whitehorn substituted for Ralphs on the Holy Water tour between June 1990 and April 1991.Rich Robinson2016Robinson substituted for Ralphs during a US tour between May and July 2016 due to illness.

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesLate 1973 – summer 1982Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Boz Burrell – bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsBad Company (1974) Straight Shooter (1975) Run with the Pack (1976) Burnin' Sky (1977) Desolation Angels (1979) Rough Diamonds (1982)Group inactive 1982–1986Mid – late 1986Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Steve Price - bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsFame and Fortune (1986)Late 1986 – early 1987Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Boz Burrell – bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsEarly 1987 – early 1989Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Steve Price - bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsDangerous Age (1988)early 1989 – mid 1990Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Felix Krish - bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsHoly Water (1990)mid 1990 – early 1992Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Paul Cullen - bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsearly 1992 - early 1993Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Felix Krish - bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsHere Comes Trouble (1992)early 1993 - Summer 1994Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Rick Wills - bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsWhat You Hear Is What You Get (1993)Summer 1994 – late 1998Robert Hart – lead vocals Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Dave Colwell – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Rick Wills – bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsCompany of Strangers (1995) Stories Told & Untold (1996)Late 1998 – summer 1999Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Boz Burrell – bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsThe 'Original' Bad Co. Anthology (1999)Group inactive 1999–2001Early – late 2001Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica Dave Colwell – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Rick Wills – bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsEarly – late 2002Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica Dave Colwell – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Jaz Lochrie – bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsIn Concert: Merchants of Cool (2002)Group inactive 2002–2008July 2008 – June 2012Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Howard Leese – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards Lynn Sorensen – bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsHard Rock Live (2010) Live at Wembley (2011)June 2012 – November 2016Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Howard Leese – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards Todd Ronning – bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocalsrowspan="2" November 2016 – October 2019Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica Howard Leese – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards Todd Ronning – bass, backing vocals Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals

References

External links Bad Company official website