By Abbe Davis, February 2022

 

AD:  Thanks for your time today, an honor, and please, take us back to the debut of Bad Company being backed by the new Swan Song label of also Led Zeppelin. You then had proper management, what was the first show like for you in 1974, do you remember at all at Newcastle Hall City? What was different about being managed well – in your view?

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PR:  It was a thrill performing at Newcastle. We were originally scheduled to do only one show but it sold out very quickly so we added a second show almost immediately, which also sold out quickly.  The new management obviously gave us quite a kick start and really launched the career of Bad Company. When you have management who really takes a keen interest, not only in your music, but as a band, it makes all the difference in the world. 

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AD:  Sounds like an exciting time. Recording back in the 70’s, how was it to record at Headley Grange?

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PR:  Our first album, "Bad Company" was recorded at Headley Grange, which was an old three -story building that was actually built to house poor or indigent people. It was cool to record there because, not only did we record the album there, we lived there during the entire recording, so, we didn't have to travel back and forth all the time to record. That was a first for all of us in the band. Just getting up each day, having some breakfast, and then walking into the recording studio, was pretty convenient and the place was pretty cool.  No heat there, it was cool. LOL. We recorded "Straight Shooter" there.  It was a very medieval-type setting. Very old but very calm, for me, anyway. The place was rumored to be haunted, which it probably was, probably still is.  LOL.  We had a great time recording there though.  

 

AD:  Ha, as long as you don't hear the ghosts in the recording process. Cool, sounds like fun. From “Alright Now,” to “Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy" and then some, which songs were you surprised did well, and then which songs were you surprised didn’t take? Do you know when it will work with songs, or is that hard to gauge (or harder these days)?

 

PR:  "Silver, Blue and Gold" surprised me a bit. That's basically a ballad, not a hard song like the others you mentioned. "All Right Now" and "Fantasy." I knew would do well.  I didn't expect "Silver, Blue and Gold" to get much air [radio] play when we put that out there, because it was very different from anything we'd put out before.  Personally, I had no idea how it would come across.  I really love the song and enjoy singing it.  Even if it didn't do well commercially, that wouldn't have changed the way I feel about it.  

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AD: Interesting how when bands release songs it can be a surprise with how a single does out there. In 2000, tell us about that first one, the Muddy Waters Tribute Concert in Cleveland, Jimmie Vaughan, Levon Helm, Hubert Smith, Johnnie Johnson, James Cotton, what struck you doing that concert, key moments or memories that made you feel how?

 

PR:  There were so many incredible musicians and artists there.  Anywhere you looked, "Oh look, that's Jimmie Vaughan, oh look, there's Levon Helm and BB King."  It was really amazing. So much talent and love was there. It was an honor to be part of that, and sharing the stage with some of these legends was surreal.  

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AD:  Wow. What a show and experience! In 2005-2006 you toured with Queen as “Queen & Paul Rodgers.” What stories did you learn about the group and about Freddy, anything you hadn’t known before? Key moments and accomplishments touring with them in those years?

 

PR:  It was a lot of fun doing the Queen thing with Brian and the boys. There weren't really any odd stories to tell about Freddy.  We pretty much kept things about those days on the quiet side.  I was probably the one bringing up Freddy, because he had such an amazing brilliance about him, his persona and that voice!  What a voice!  I couldn't duplicate that and that was never my intent. I just wanted to sing and do the songs justice and have a lot of fun doing so.  It was a great time.  

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AD:  Well, it went over so well. Which encounters with artists that you’ve respected, have struck you as “Wow, I am here, we are legends and I’m on stage with…” it’s been so many by now, which ones still hit you, when you look back at those performances?

 

PR:  Hmm.  Good question.  Definitely Brian May of Queen, Jimmy Page.  I performed "All Right Now" with Brian playing lead guitar and it just clicked, it was pretty incredible. That was before I joined Queen for a bit. We both thought, "Hmm, this actually may work, me being the singer for Queen, and we did it for a bit, and it was a lot of fun."  

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AD:  That's great to after that, get more shows and enjoy that experience repeatedly. What still makes you nervous as a performer before a show, does anything, or is it like you could wake up at 3am and just have it down, after decades of being a pro?

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PR:  After all these years, I really don't get nervous, just anxious, excited to get out there and be with the audience. The stage is where I'm quite comfortable.  Hmm.  Waking up at 3am and doing my thing?  I don't know about that.  LOL.. I'd be tired and my voice would show that, but I get what you're asking. Yeah, I guess I could get up at 3am and after a quick warm up, do my thing. I've been at this a loooong time, don't you think?  LOL.

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AD:  That's great and anytime I hear you live these days, I mean, you've taken good care of your voice, too. Yet, it's still something to hear you sound as strong, if not stronger in vocal power these days. More questions, what do you dislike immensely about how music is heard, what musicians deal with, or how it works in the music industry today? Do you ever think of remedies for what might improve it for those inspired ahead?

 

PR:  Woah, that's a big question. I wish I had the answer for that.  In days past, especially the late 70's through the mid 90's, record sales and then CD sales were how the artists, like myself, made our living.  And, obviously doing the shows and selling merch. It's a heck of a lot tougher these days with social media. We don't really sell our music anymore. We put it out so the people, the fans, can hear it, and it's how we remain on their minds, remain relevant, I suppose.  Artists today don't have that luxury of a big recording contract like we did in the past. Most bands are now dependent on touring and selling merchandise.  I don't think it will ever go back to how it was before. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does make it harder for the artists to thrive in this industry. 

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AD:  Yes, for certain. Thanks for this, because it highlights what it takes for musicians out there now. Do you experience songwriter slumps where music won’t come, or is it and has it always been this steady stream for you, to write a lot and maybe too much at times?

 

PR:  Don't we all?  LOL. Yeah, I've had the jimps.  That's what I call writer's block.  But, when things are really flowing it's just magical. I don't think I write too much.  Maybe in the past, but when you're inspired and the words or the music just come to you, you gotta take note and get to work!

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AD:  The jimps! Never head that before, love it! So now, in your life thus far, you’ve had so many accomplishments, yet in your view, what are your biggest accomplishments in life? In music?

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PR:  In life, my greatest accomplishment is to be a father to my kids, Steve and Jasmine. They are the soul of my life. In music?  That's a tough one. I'd say just being fortunate enough to be able to make music and share it with the world.  Music can change the world, don't you think?  We just need everyone in the world to listen to at least one song they really appreciate every day, and who knows, maybe that's the answer to world peace. 

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AD:  Thank you so much, Paul, this has been a true gift and so is all you have done, and continue to do, with music.

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INFO: 

Home | Paul Rodgers

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Paul Rodgers Official | Facebook

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