Legendary hard rock act Bad Company officially entered the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on Saturday (November 8) during a long-awaited ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. The induction comes 26 years after the band first became eligible in 1999.
Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac had the honor of inducting the band, offering high praise for founding singer Paul Rodgers, who was unable to attend the event due to health reasons.
Fleetwood told the audience: “[Bad Company singer] Paul [Rodgers] is the voice that every rock singer holds as their north star. To listen to a Bad Company song is to hear a once-in-a-lifetime voice take rock music to new heights… Bad Company was grounded in the blues, but also created uniform, unforgettable pop melodies. They helped define the musical path ahead for rock music.”
The induction was followed by a series of powerhouse performances led by founding drummer Simon Kirke. Kirke was joined by The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson, Heart‘s Nancy Wilson, and Aerosmith‘s Joe Perry for a blistering rendition of “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” Following this, Canadian rock icon Bryan Adams took over the microphone for the band’s anthem, “Can’t Get Enough.”
Following the music, Simon Kirke delivered the acceptance speech, making a lighthearted remark about the formal setting: “I’ve never played ‘Can’t Get Enough‘ in a tuxedo.” He made sure to acknowledge the band’s history and its absent members, paying tribute to late guitarist Mick Ralphs, who passed away earlier this year, and original bassist Boz Burrell, who died in 2006.
Though not present, Paul Rodgers offered a video message to the audience, dedicating the prestigious honor to the dedicated Bad Company fanbase, and concluding with a heartfelt wish: “My prayer for us is that we all choose love.”
The induction celebrated the core four founding members—Rodgers, Kirke, Ralphs, and Burrell—though the estate of former vocalist Brian Howe (who fronted the band from 1986 to 1994) released a statement expressing disappointment that the Rock Hall did not include him in the honor.
Rodgers, 75, has been prioritizing his health since suffering two major strokes in 2016 and 2019, which required him to undergo a carotid endarterectomy procedure.
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