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CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the mid-1970s, few bands embodied pure rock and roll swagger quite like Bad Company. Formed in 1973 from the ashes of Free, Mott the Hoople and King Crimson, the British supergroup—Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Mick Ralphs and Boz Burrell—became one of the first acts signed to Led Zeppelin’s Swan Song label. With that pedigree, expectations were sky-high and the band delivered immediately. The quartet was inducted into the hallowed Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Saturday night, floating on that pedigree. Their self-titled 1974 debut produced stone-cold classics like “Can’t Get Enough” and “Bad Company,” defining the sound of FM rock radio for the next decade. Rodgers’ powerhouse vocals and Ralphs’ blues-rooted guitar gave the band its punch, while Kirke’s steady drumming and Burrell’s groove completed the sound. Under the guidance of Zeppelin manager Peter Grant, they helped shape what “classic rock” would come to mean. At the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in Los Angeles, Mick Fleetwood inducted the band, paying tribute to Kirke, “from one drummer to another.” Performances honoring them featured Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Joe Perry of Aerosmith and Bryan Adams. After Adams cranked out one of their biggest hits with the all-star lineup, Kirke joked, “I’ve never played ‘Can’t Get Enough’ in a tuxedo!” Rodgers delivered a meaningful video message. With Mick Ralphs’ passing earlier this year and Rodgers unable to attend while focusing on his health, the night carried a bittersweet note. But it hit, bigtime. The estate of late vocalist Brian Howe—who fronted Bad Company from 1986 to 1994—issued a statement prior to the ceremony, expressing disappointment at his exclusion from induction, hoping his contributions might someday be recognized. Still, Bad Company’s legacy endures as one of rock’s great supergroups—equal parts muscle, melody and myth. Kirke likened himself to the Hunchback of Notre Dame after performing but thanked road crews “working their asses off” and that none of Bad Co. would be possible without them.
