Pantheon - Podcasts for Music Lovers Ugly American Werewolf in London: Bad Company - Straight Shooter
Bad Company hit the scene in 1974 in a big way. Signed to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label and managed by Peter Grant, the supergroup composed of Paul Rodgers (Free), Mick Ralphs (Mott the Hoople), Boz Burrell (King Crimson) and Simon Kirke (Free) had a huge success with their self-titled debut which would go on to sell 5 million in the US. Many bands struggle to follow up a big debut with an equally good second effort but Bad Company weren't rookies and had made over a dozen albums individually. The question was how would the songwriting partnership of Ralphs and Rodgers develop and would any of them as individuals emerge as the lead songwriter.
While not many will tell you Straight Shooter is as good or better than the debut, it is a solid rock record. Chart hits Feel Like Makin' Love and Good Lovin' Gone Bad got them all over the airwaves and Rodgers Shooting Star would go onto become a classic rock radio staple. They even showed their tender side with Simon Kirke's Weep No More (accompanied by strings) and Anna. Heavy riffs from Deal With The Preacher and the innuendo of Wild Fire Woman help round the album into an album that showed Bad Company had staying power and could deliver the goods. Released March 28, 1975, it would go on to sell 3 million in the US.
Do you think Bad Company deserves to be in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame? We do!!!
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