NOVEMBER 2009

Honours from the University of the Year

A rock legend, an international author and a Formula 1 engineer

 were among the distinguished figures who received honorary degrees from the University.

There were five honorary degrees handed out during a special ceremony at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Friday 27 November.

Among the recipients were singer-songwriter Paul Rodgers,

WATCH HERE

 who received a Doctor of Letters and The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who received a Doctor of Laws.

BAD COMPANY, Hard Rock Cafe, London
17 November 2009

The walls of the Hard Rock Cafe are adorned with memorabilia of rock stars with such high profiles as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Who, Jim Morrison and many more, and today we were to be honoured with the presence of Bad Company featuring original members Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke, who are here to do a short acoustic set and to announce to the waiting press an arena tour that will take place next April.

Introduced on stage by Nicky Horne, a journalist who was the first to interview them when the eponymous debut came out in 1974. It was the first time that these three members were to perform together on a stage here in the UK in over three decades.

It was great to see them at such close proximity, and the band looked happy as they strummed into first number, the big hit 'Feel Like Makin' Love'.  After that Paul Rodgers looked at Ralphs and said ''What shall we do next?'' before deciding on 'Shooting Star' another track from the second LP 'Straight Shooter' which required some audience participation towards the end.

After the Ralphs/Rodgers composition of 'Seagull' from the debut LP, all three members came to the front to answer a few questions from those lucky enough to be in attendance.

From this we found out that the touring band will be joined by Lynn Sorensen on bass ,who is also currently in Rodgers solo band and ex-Heart member Howard Leese will be helping out on rhythm guitar.

The band will be also performing some tracks that don't often get an airing and if the tour is successful ,there is a possibilty of some new material to come in the future.

Also announced for support is none other than Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry who will be bringing along his new project.

The band then decided to do another song for the throng with 'Do Right By Your Woman'. An enjoyable afternoon in the heart of Mayfair spent with some good company.

Review and photos by Mark Taylor

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BAD COMPANY ANNOUNCE 8 EXCLUSIVE 2010 UK DATES

FIRST TIME THAT THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF BAD COMPANY WILL PERFORM

TOGETHER IN THE UK IN OVER THREE DECADES

ALL DATES WITH VERY SPECIAL GUESTS – JOE PERRY PROJECT

NEW LIVE CD/DVD (IMAGE/UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP)

SET FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 9, 2010

London 17^th November 2009 – The original members of Bad Company, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke have announced that they will reunite for a series of eight UK shows in April 2010. This marks the first time the original members have performed in the UK together in over three decades. The opening show will take place at the Birmingham LG Arena on 1^st April and the final show will take place 11^th April at Wembley Arena. All dates will feature very special guests, the Joe Perry Project. Tickets go on sale beginning 10am Friday 20th November. Additionally, a new Bad Company live CD/DVD set is set for release prior to the tour on 9^th February 2010 (Image/Universal Music Group).

Rodgers, celebrating over four decades as a writing and recording artist (Free, Bad Company, The Firm, Queen + Paul Rodgers), was recently presented with the “Classic Songwriter ” award by Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck at the annual Classic Rock Magazine Roll of Honour 2009. Rolling Stone recently named Rodgers one of the “Top 100 Singers of All Time,” Classic Rock UK placed him at #2 on their “50 Greatest Singers in Rock” list and England’s Planet Rock Radio fan poll placed him at #3 on their “Greatest Voices of Rock” list. His debut solo DVD “Live in Glasgow” is certified Gold and charted at #1 in Canada, #2 in Japan, #3 in the US and #4 in the UK .

“These dates are to thank the fans for keeping the music alive,” said Rodgers. “It's great to be with Paul and Simon,” said Ralphs. “We made great music together and had the time of our lives doing it. I'm really looking forward to us bringing Bad Company back to the UK.” Ralphs recently regrouped with 70s rock band Mott the Hoople for five sold-out reunion shows at the Hammersmith Apollo in London Autumn 2009.

After the break up of Free (known internationally for their smash hit “All Right Now” co-written by Rodgers) Paul connected with ex-Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs. Free drummer Simon Kirke would later join that year and the trio would begin rehearsing. Ex-King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell came aboard a few months later and the supergroup Bad Company was solidified. In 1974 they signed to Swan Song Records (owned by Led Zeppelin and distributed via Atlantic Records) to release their highly anticipated debut album, titled Bad Co. Rodgers’ concept to write a song titled the same as the band’s name was a first. Propelled by the hit single “Can’t Get Enough”, the album would quickly hit #1 on the charts and remain in the Top 40 for four straight months. Bad Company were at the forefront of the 70’s arena rock movement. To this day, the multi-platinum Bad Co. album arguably remains one of the most accomplished debuts in rock history, reading as a virtual greatest hits set in itself.

- more -

Straight Shooter, Run with the Pack, Burnin’ Sky and Desolation Angels would all follow within a five year run throughout the ‘70s with the writing team of Rodgers and Ralphs yielding more multi-platinum awards with hit after hit, “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Seagull,” “Run with the Pack,” “Burnin’ Sky,” “Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy,” making Bad Company one of the biggest concert attractions of the decade. In 1982, the band released their final recording Rough Diamonds and the single “Electricland” would be their last before disbanding. The group’s multi-platinum award-winning greatest hits set 10 from 6 has become a music collectors staple.

BAD COMPANY CONFIRMED UK TOUR DATES:

April 2010

Thursday 1        Birmingham LG Arena
Friday 2            Manchester Evening News Arena

Sunday 4          Sheffield City Hall
Monday 5          Cardiff CIA

Wednesday 7    Newcastle Metro Arena
Thursday 8        Glasgow Clyde
 

Saturday 10       Brighton Centre
Sunday 11         Wembley Arena
 

Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday 20th November priced 38.50 London / 34.50 Regional (subject to booking fee) and are available from www.livenation.co.uk

For more information, please visit: www.badcompany.com   www.paulrodgers.com

For press enquiries please contact Steve Guest, Head of PR, Live Nation

Steve.guest@livenation.co.uk or 020 7009 3371 

For accreditation please visit the Live Nation Press website http://press.livenation.co.uk/ and apply on line

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Live Nation’s mission is to maximize the live concert experience. Our core business is producing, marketing and selling live concerts for artists via our global concert pipe. Live Nation is the largest producer of live concerts in the world, annually producing over 22,000 concerts for 1,600 artists in 33 countries.  During 2008, the company sold over 50 million concert tickets and drove over 70 million unique visitors to LiveNation.com. Live Nation is transforming the concert business by expanding its concert platform into ticketing and building the industry’s first artist-to-fan vertically integrated concert platform.  The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol LYV.  For additional information about the company, please visit www.livenation.com/investors.

Photo -

Hattie Hayridge - best known for the role of the female version of Holly in Red Dwarf / Friend of Lucy with Jaquie Hall

 Chris Crawford - Manager of Paul Rodgers and Christine Seal fan/friend of Lucy from the 60s Free days

Exclusive 3 disc live CD of Paul Rodger’s Hammersmith Apollo show from 6th November 2009.

This CD is only available from Concert Live. 

• Paul Rodgers is an artist that needs no introduction. As the legendary lead singer of Free and Bad Company he has recently performed for 5 years with Queen. This live CD will feature all the classic hits from his back catalogue as well as tracks from his successful solo career.

•  This live CD is strictly limited edition and features the full live show and an exclusive 3rd bonus disc that includes photo’s from the night and behind the scenes footage. This backstage video content is exclusive to this live CD, you will not see this anywhere else!

• A must for any Free, Bad Company, Queen or rock fan! Order this exclusive live CD now to avoid disappointment!

£20.00

DEAR BLUES MATES !                         (Showtime 8-10am EST/1-3pm GMT)                        

In 2004 paul and I collaborated on a project for WRFG that was aired in two parts

entitled “ PAUL RODGERS 12 BAR BLUES “ and we had a good time with it openly

picking through his top favourites so im thrilled to be able to have him back again.

   Still at the top of his game he regularly reinvents his life after classic hit bands

FREE – THE FIRM – BAD COMPANY – SOLO – QUEEN – whats next on his project list?

   This time, LIVE from London we will be hitting the high notes of what’s new ;

LEADING AEROSMITH ? After 4 years fronting Queen does the rumour have any merit

NEW ALBUMS 2010 – will we see a raw Blues album, old friends collaboration, Motown revue?

BAD COMPANY – how is the revival and what’s new on the tour ? more material ?

HOLIDAY FAVOURITES -  find out what Paul is singing in the shower this season

Breaking News: 

 Aerosmith's  Joe Perry Solo Band (Joe Perry Project)

 to open for Bad Company UK Tour.

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http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/

Paul Rodgers: Wish We Were There!

Legendary singer Paul Rodgers finished off the Classic Rock Week Of Gigs in suitably sensational style at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on November 6. What happened? Read on…

A one-off to celebrate his Classic Rock Songwriter award at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour, this was a chance for the legendary singer to remind us why he won it. Odd, really, that having been lauded so long for his voice, the strength of his back catalogue has perhaps hitherto been overlooked…

With opener Walk In My Shadow, the first surprise is that Rodgers’ former Free and Bad Company buddy Simon Kirke now occupies the drum stool – making a good band (as seen on the 2006 UK tour/2007’s Live In Glasgow album and DVD) into a great one. As early as third song Ride On A Pony, Kirke is giving a drumming masterclass on the tiniest of kits. The others, too, are equally economical but fluent – particularly ex-Heart guitarist Howard Leese, who delivers Paul Kossoff lines with respect and feel.

But this is Rodgers’ night and – song by brilliant song he delivers. As he introduces the 40-year-old Soon I Will Be Gone for, “The first time live on stage”, Classic Rock quickly forgives him the perspex semi-acoustic round his neck.

There are screams from a handful of girls as he introduces the Queen + Paul Rodgers song Voodoo, but the fellas are more impressed by the intro to Run With The Pack that follows. As it ends, from behind the piano Rodgers leaps to his feet and – in one movement – snatches the microphone before bounding to the font of the stage. The movement suggests he can barely wait to play what follows… Wishing Well.

Deborah Bonham duets on Be My Friend, then – after Bad Co.’s Rock And Roll Fantasy and Shooting Star – the 60-minute set ends all too soon with All Right Now.

After a three-song encore (including Can’t Get Enough, featuring Rodgers’ old Bad Company pal, Mick Ralphs) the houselights go up but the crowd refuse to leave – and so the amps are switched back on and the band return to play The Hunter. A special night by a very special talent – who then bounnced back one last time, to tell us: “We’ll be back – see you in April!”

Paul Rodgers at Hammersmith Apollo, 6 November 2009 - a one night show.
I've seen this guy in his early days of Bad Company on a couple of occasions and a couple of times previously "solo", the last time being at the Royal Albert Hall in 2006.
I'm really a Free fan who has been kicking himself ever since turning down the opportunity to see Free perform. The early Bad Company went some way to rectify that, but I knew that I had missed something that could never happen again. However, this night, PR was absolutely on top form with huge added bonus of having Simon Kirke back on drums. Simon worked on drums with an intensity and energy that kind of reminds me of Animal of the Muppets (I mean that in the most positive sense) but has the fluidity to keep the rhythm more soulful rather than hard rock that PR's previous drummers tend to do.
We all really appreciated the Free and Bad Co numbers with the band really engaging the audience and urging us to sing ourselves hoarse; god knows what I must have sounded like, lol. There was also a couple of special guests, Deborah Bonham who dueted on "Be my friend" and Mick Ralphs joined in on "Bad Company." All in all, a real cracking show.

Slide show - http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardpullan/sets/72157622763270956/show/with/4087516882/

Eagerly awaited night of entertainment for me.. I've seen Paul on every solo tour he has done in UK, even the cold wet weather didnt put me off from queuing outside for 90 mins, the bonus was bumping into fellow fans I knew from previous gigs.
Doors opened on time and strainght into the old Odeon and the rush to the front , which I secured next to some old pals from the last RAH gig .
Backing tape of classic rock songs played on the PA and then we had Jimi for 4 songs then the lights dimmed . No support act tonight, the show started at 8.30pm and was being recorded by the Concert Live people for cd release.
The Band consisting of Lyn Sorenson - bass, Howard Leese - Guitar & Piano, Kurtis Dengler - Guitar, Simon Kirke - Drums, Paul Rodgers - Voice,Guitar,Piano & Classic Rock Songwriter Award launched into a bunch of Free classics statring with 'the much covered 'Walk In My Shadow'
We had songs from all his career Free/Bad Co/Queen/The Firm/Solo.
The crowd came from all over UK and Europe for this gig and they enjoyed every minute of it
We had a couple of guest appearances for 2 songs. First off Deborah Bonham joined on co-vocals for the wonderful 'Be My Friend', and later Mick Ralphs joined other Bad Co members Paul & Simon for a rousing 'Can't Get Enough' more Bad Co news later Paul was genuinely touched by the crowd support and appreciation of this evening and the band were as tight as I've seen any band , just pure class.
After the 3 song encore the monitors were switched off and the PA went back to the classic rock tape it was playing pre gig. The stage lights dimmed and house lights raised but no one was having that. After 5 mins of merry hell from the crowd beying for at least one more song, the lights dimmed , monitors switched back on, because any self respecting Paul Rodgers fan knows that no concert is over until 'The Hunter' is played. They came back and did the best version I have ever heard of the song.
As the band finally departed to deafening cheers, Paul came back to announce that Bad Company will be touring the UK in April 2010, another massive roar.

Setlist (from memory,if correct)
Walk In My Shadow/Fire & Water/Ride A Pony/Soon I Will Be Gone/The Stealer/Voodoo/Rock & Roll Fantasy/Run With The Pack/Satisfaction Guaranteed/Be My Friend/Shooting Star/All Right Now
Saving Grace/Can't Get Enough/Little Wing-Angel
The Hunter
I think I might have missed one or two
Photos on the link below(if it works)

http://s458.photobucket.com/albums/qq310/ramp62/Paul%20Rodgers%20Hammersmith%20Apollo%2006%20Nov%202009/?start=0

If you wish to send in a review of photos to add to ARN please

send to Lucy@allrightnow.com

Music legend Paul Rodgers of Free set for honorary Teesside University degree

Nov 5 2009 by Joanna Desira, Evening Gazette

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, Paul Rodgers, the lead singer of Free, and F1 engineer Rob Smedley will receive their accolades on Friday, November 27.

Also receiving honorary degrees will be romantic novelist Adele Parks and Trevor Arnold MBE, former managing director of Thornaby-based K Home International.

They will receive their degrees from university chancellor Lord Sawyer at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

Dr Sentamu will receive a degree of Doctor of Laws.

He has been archbishop for the area to the south of the River Tees since 2005.

Singer-songwriter Paul was born in Middlesbrough and was the founding member and main songwriter of the bands Free, Bad Company and The Firm with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.

He most recently toured as Queen and Paul Rodgers and as a solo artist, and has released 30 albums and sold over 90 million records. He will receive the degree of Doctor of Letters.

Rob, originally from Normanby, has been an engineer in Formula One racing with Peugeot, Williams and Jordan, and now with Ferrari. He will become a Doctor of Professional Studies.

Author Adele comes from Stockton and has sold over 1.5million copies of her romantic fiction novels in the UK.

She will receive a Doctor of Letters degree. She said: “It is so lovely - a great honour - that my achievements as an author are being celebrated in my home town.”

Trevor Arnold spent 21 years securing contracts for Teesside, including one for an 800-bed hospital in Abu Dhabi. He becomes a Doctor of Business Administration

Classic Rockers 'will never quit' Link

The annual Classic Rock awards took place in central London on Monday night.

 Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood was honoured for his outstanding contribution to rock.

Rock legends from Brian May to Anvil walked the red carpet but BBC reporter

 Emma Jones wanted to know if they would ever hang up their guitars?

In order of appearance: Luke Morley, Paul Rodgers, Slash, Scott Ian and Pearl,

The Quireboys, Billy Gibbons, Anvil and Iggy Pop.

HELP FOR HEROES

A PLATOON of music stars recorded a moving tribute song

 last night to raise money for wounded troops featuring PAUL RODGERS

The song, written by Whitesnake's Robert Hart and A1 star Mark Read, features the lines:

 "Can't put faces to the names, In gardens made of stone, They went away as strangers, But they never died alone."

We Will Remember Them will be available to download on iTunes on November 8.

 The CD is due in shops next Monday.

ARTICLE HERE

Road Runners

Information and pics kindly supplied by Colin Bradley who now lives in Toronto.