Bad Company, Genting Arena, Birmingham - review
They call it the Swan Song tour - whether a reference to former stablemates Led Zeppelin, or a hint that they might be considering hanging up their hats is not clear - but Bad Company served notice last night that after more than four decades they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Lead singer Paul Rodgers has always been blessed with the most soulful voice in hard rock but it seems almost inconceivable that it's still a strong and emotive as ever at the age of 66. Tradition has it that decades on the road take their toll on the best of voices but Rodgers appears not to have got that memo..
Halfway though an eight-date UK run of arena shows, he led the band, still featuring original members Mick Ralphs on guitar and drummer Simon Kirke, through an 80-minute set that found time for all the hits as well as a couple of deep cuts and one brand new song.
Kicking off with Live For The Music it became quickly apparent that Bad Company's sound live is much more muscular than on record, a wall of rock power with Rodger's astonishing voice punching through. The Birmingham choir was in full voice too during the big hits Feel Like Making Love and Can't Get Enough, Rodgers with his megawatt smile, working the crowd and twirling his mic stand.
Ralphs provided a stoic, steady presence but, at 72, the former Mott the Hoople guitarist is still nimble enough around the fretboard - and to make the point we got Bad Co's take on Mott's Ready For Love.
New song Troubleshooter fitted in seamlessly among the classics, while Shooting Star sounded a cautionary note, with images of rock's fallen, including Janis Joplin, Freddie Mercury, Keith Moon and John Bonham - whose sister Deborah was in the audience - appearing on screens around the stage.
It was left to the big hitters Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy, Bad Company and Rock Steady to send the fans home happy, although there were some dissenting voices questioning why the set couldn't have been longer - this writer, for one, would have loved to have seen them perform the gorgeous Seagull.
Earlier, support was proved by RSO - former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora and his girlfriend Orianthi - with a 60-minute set which took in Jovi classics Wanted Dead Or Alive and Livin' On a Prayer, as well as covers of U2's When Love Comes To Town and Sonny and Cher's I Got You Babe (this is one seriously loved-up couple) as well as a superb performance of the title track from Sambora's first solo album Stranger In This Town.
Richie Sambora always had the best voice in Bon Jovi anyway and he proved an amiable presence, with both he and Orianthi impressing with their guitar prowess throughout and warming the crowd up nicely for the main event.
By Ian Harvey
