Latest news with #PaulRodgers
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Rocker Paul Rodgers' Near-Death Operation: 50/50 Chance Of Survival
Paul Rodgers performs during KFOX 98.5's Greg's Kihncert at Shoreline Amphitheatre on July 31, 2003 in Mountain View, California. (Photo by) In Part 1 of our interview series with classic rocker Paul Rodgers, we covered his impending induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, an amusing anecdote from a Bad Company tour in Spain, his initial thoughts on the great super-group Cream, the first time he heard his own song on the radio, where the name Bad Company came from and his work with the not-for-profit Adopt The Arts. Here we look at his medical situation with a number of recent strokes, band manger Peter Grant and Led Zeppelin, his memoirs and epitaph, and more. Following are edited excerpts from a longer phone conversation. Jim Clash: You've had such an interesting life. Ever think about writing a book about it? Rodgers: In fact, I'm working on my memoirs now, about four-fifths of it done. I have a great co-writer. I don't really like talking about myself, blowing my own trumpet, toot, toot, you know. But he makes it so easy, asks the right questions. I speak with him on a weekly basis. We've done this for eight months now, and the book should be out next year. Clash: You've had a number of strokes over the past few years, no? NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Jimmy Page at the 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on November 03, 2023. (Photo byfor The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ) Rodgers: I certainly have. I had 11 TIA's [Transient Ischaemic Attacks], and three major strokes, the last one just last year. It's hereditary, runs in my family unfortunately. My father passed at 60, likely due to a stroke. I'm 75, so I've had a lot more life than he did. I lost my ability to comprehend certain things. I had to learn to use a fork, spoon, and all of that again. I didn't even know what a guitar was. Hyperbarics and a program called MERT - Magnetic E-Resonance Therapy - helped me get back my language and singing functions. They also cleaned out my left carotid artery, a major surgery with only a 50/50 chance of survival. I was completely on life support then, very strange to come back from because your circulation system has to relearn itself. But I'm doing very well now, thank you. I even put out an album, 'Midnight Rose,' my first since 1999. Clash: Sounds like you almost died during the operation. Rodgers: When they were wheeling me off to surgery, my wife said, "Now you better come back to me." She tells me that just after the operation I said that I had the option to leave this dimension, but thought, "I can't do that, Cynthia will kill me." I can't remember any of it, though [laughs]. Clash: When you do pass on, what do you want your epitaph to be? Rodgers: My friend Paul Cossoff's was, "All Right Now," which I thought was rather interesting. For me I think, "Peace At Last." Peter Grant, Manager of Led Zeppelin, in his office, 9th October 1970. (Photo by Eric Harlow/Mirrorpix via Getty Images) Clash: Your recollections of Peter Grant? Rodgers: He was a great guy, a wonderful manager. He had all of the contacts. But he never interfered with the music itself. He just protected us, looked after the contracts and so on. We found ourselves on a roller-coaster. We had a Vickers Viscount, four Rolls-Royce engines, limos to get on the tarmac to the plane. It was crazy. The association with Led Zeppelin [Grant was also its manager] did not hurt. Peter was also an immense guy, an ex-wrestler. I believe he was a Romani gypsy, but I never asked him. Clash: Okay, what's Jimmy Page like? You worked with him in The Firm. Rodgers: Jimmy's amazing, as a person and as a guitarist. In The Firm, he could lift the whole band, the whole audience and the whole auditorium, way up into the stars. When I was up on stage, I would be just be amazed at what he was doing. Fantastic.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Bad Company Was Just Inducted Into The RRHOF. Paul Rodgers' Thoughts
English musician Paul Rodgers, of Bad Company, at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, June 29, 1979. Also visible is band member Simon Kirke on drums. (Photo by) Paul Rodgers has a distinctive voice. Many classic rockers remember him from the 1970 hit, "All Right Now," by Free. He also sang for Queen after Freddie Mercury died, and fronted the super-group, The Firm, with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. But it is Rodgers' work with Bad Company that recently earned him a place in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. We spoke with the 75-year-old last month about his RRHOF accolade and other things music, including his work with Adopt The Arts, a program designed to give students a real-world music experience beyond the classroom. Despite having had a number of strokes - the first of which was in 2016 - Rodgers still performs and was quite animated during our interview. His longtime wife, Cynthia Kereluk, was also on the phone call. Following are edited excerpts from a longer conversation. This is Part 1 of a multi-part interview series with Rodgers. Jim Clash: Were you surprised when you finally made it to the RRHOF? Paul Rodgers: Surprised? I don't know. The fans had been wanting it for a long time. We're very philosophical about it. We said, "Well, whatever." As long as we were making good music was the important thing. It's good timing for Bad Company, though, because [guitarist] Mick [Ralphs] is still with us, although he can't physically be there [at the induction ceremony]. Believe it or not, there's a "tribute to Bad Company" album coming out. It hasn't been released yet - it will be in the Fall - but it has lots of great musicians covering our songs. UNSPECIFIED - JOHN PEEL, JOHN PEEL RADIO ONE DISC JOCKEY, NOVEMBER 1, 1998 (Photo by Andrew Buurman/Redferns) Clash: Let's go back. Do you remember the first time you heard yourself on the radio? Rodgers: It was "All Right Now," I think, and I still get a thrill when I hear it played. I believe I was at my sister Tina's house. John Peel, a BBC DJ at the time, had a radio show [Peel Sessions], and we went in and recorded three or four songs for it. One was, "Walk In My Shadows," one I co-wrote. I did know the songs were going to be on the radio, though, so it wasn't really a surprise. Clash: I've always been curious about the band's name and your first hit - both are called Bad Company. Which came first, the band name or the tune? Rodgers: I started to write the song at my cottage in England. It's a real western kind of thing, but written in the heart of the English countryside. But there we are [laughs]. A number of things happened at the same time. [Drummer] Simon [Kirke] came round to help me with the lyrics. At the same moment, I called Mick and said to him, "Bad Company," and he said, "That's it, the name of the band!" I said "Well, that's actually a song," to which he replied, "No, no, we have to call the band Bad Company." And that's what we did. So really, the song came first. Ginger Baker (left) and Eric Clapton of sixties rock supergroup Cream, at a reunion concert, Royal Albert Hall, London, 5th May 2005. (Photo by Graham Wiltshire/) Clash: What are your thoughts on the super-group Cream and, in particular, drummer Ginger Baker. They were a little ahead of your time. Rodgers: I remember seeing Cream in Northeast England, just outside of Middlesbrough. They hadn't exploded on the scene yet, and were just grooving. I was 14, and stood right in front of the stage while Ginger did his solo. Fantastic! I also saw [Eric] Clapton lean over and say, "Get on with it, man' [laughs]. Clash: You are part of Adopt The Arts, a music program for kids. You helped some music students, The Changels honor choir, record one of your songs, "Rock & Roll Fantasy." Why pick that particular organization to devote your time to? Rodgers: It was a joy to help and become involved with kids. It was almost impossible to refuse. Some are from economically challenged families, and I can identify with that. We weren't very well off growing up. It was a bit of a struggle. It only takes a word or two to inspire people, especially with music. It's such a rewarding experience spiritually. In fact, you can actually make a living at it [laughs]. I gave them each a $20 bill after we finished recording, and their faces lit up. I told them they were now professional musicians because they had been paid [laughs]. (MANDATORY CREDIT) UNITED STATES - JANUARY 01: USA Photo of ROCK 'N' ROLL HALL OF FAME (Photo by Ebet Roberts/Redferns) Clash: Can you give me a funny anecdote from one of your tours? Rodgers: There are so many. You put me on the spot [laughs]. This is more a beautiful thing than a funny one. We were playing in Spain to a really fantastic crowd. There were four girls standing at the front of the stage so into the music. I tried to make eye contact with them, and just could not do it. Afterwards, I walked out to the crowd outside, and these girls were there. It turns out that they were blind! I spoke to them, held their hands and hugged them. All of the people around clapped, as they obviously knew that the girls were blind. It was beautiful.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Clare clinch minor hurling last-four spot with win over Galway
Clare 2-21 Galway 2-13 An eight-point victory didn't flatter Clare, as they got their second knockout win in eight days to reach the last four of the All Ireland Minor Hurling Championship. Despite falling four behind 90 seconds into the second period, this Clare side expertly turned the tide and defended quite well, to limit Galway to just a point for the remainder. Powered on by the likes of Dara Kennedy and Jack O'Halloran in defence, the class of Ian O'Brien, Liam Murphy and sharpshooter Paul Rodgers pushed them past the winning post with something to spare. Galway, for their part, contributed to a decent contest, and it certainly was a game when they played, wind assisted in the opening half. Having lost the Leinster final, this was their road back but the Banner bump sees them dumped out. A fine start by Kenneth Burkes charges saw Galway lead 0-5 to 0-2 early on with Gus Lohan and Ronan Cahalan making some early contributions in attack. However, Clare, who finished third in Munster, were able to get back level when a piledriver from Rory Ralph saw the first green flag after 13 minutes. Clare really had momentum and O'Brien added two points, one after a smart Cathal Mannion save. Galway needed something and a surge before half-time got them back in front. First a Jack Shaughnessy free was cancelled out by a beautiful Paul Rodgers sideline cut. But next, a Galway goal. Superb vision from Tadgh Mac Cártaigh found Cahalan in acres of space, allowing him to rattle the net. Frees at either end late in the half meant Galway led 1-12 to 1-11 at half-time. A penalty from the first play of the second period went to Galway. Shaughnessy saw it saved but sharp to the rebound was Mac Cártaigh who found a way past Leon Talty. This could have kick started Galway's challenge. However, Clare shrugged it off and were within a point on 48 minutes, as Ben Talty clipped over. They went ahead through a goal from Liam Murphy who danced past his man. The same man got two of the final six points to set up an exciting looking last four clash with the Rebels, next weekend. Galway's failure to score a point from play in the second half will show possibly how short they fell, but Cahalan and Cillian Roche were denied late consolation goals by the post and keeper, respectfully. Scorers for Clare: Paul Rodgers 0-11 (0-6f, 0-1 s/l); Liam Murphy 1-3; Ian O'Brien 0-4; Dara Kennedy 0-1; Ben Talty 0-1; John Barry (free) 0-1. Scorers for Galway: Ronan Cahalan 1-2; Tadhg Mac Cártaigh 1-2; Cillian Roche 0-3 (2f); Jacl Shaughnessy 0-3 (2f); Gus Lohan 0-2; Mikey Maher 0-1. Clare: Leon Talty; Niall Doyle, Jack O'Halloran, Zak Phelan; Evan Crimmins, Dara Kennedy, Colm Daly; Graham Ball (C), Evan Cleary; Rory Ralph, James O'Donnell, Ben Talty; Ian O'Brien, Paul Rodgers, Liam Murphy. Subs: Eoin O'Connor for Murphy (blood 28 -30); John Barry for Ralph (45), Sean Connellan for O'Donnell (50), Eoin O'Connor for Talty (57); Darragh Murrihy for Daly (57); Jake Gibbons for Rodgers (inj – 60); Cormac Gunning for Kennedy (blood – 60 – ft). Galway: Cathal Mannion; Lee Murphy, Aodhán McDonagh, Robert Burke; Mikey Maher, Shay Brady, Dara Zimmerer; Seán Moran (Capt), Cian Hannon; Gus Lohan, Jack Shaughnessy, Ronan Cahalan; Tadhg McCárthaigh, Cillian Roche, Ethan Coleman. Subs: Stephen Keane for Lohan (45); Jody Canning for Hannon (49), Senan Coen for Maher (51); Shay Glennon for Brady (54); Cian O'Loughlin for Coleman (60). Referee: Nicky Barry (Waterford).
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
Rock legends Paul Rodgers and record song with elementary students
Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers and x-Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum record a version of 'Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy' with school kids, organized by the Adopt the Arts foundation.
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
15 awful albums by classic bands, from Led Zeppelin to Aerosmith
Rock'n'roll musicians have a habit of thinking of themselves like secular gods, but the truth is they're not infallible. No matter how successful a band may or may not have been in the past, there's never any guarantee their next record will live up to the heights they've previously scaled. Sometimes, everything that once went right just all goes wrong. There are often extenuating circumstances, of course. Band members may leave due to death, drugs or just good old-fashioned 'musical differences', or an ambitious new direction may turn out to be more like a swerve into oncoming traffic. Whatever the cause, the fact remains that just because an album has the name of a classic band slapped across the cover, it doesn't necessarily follow that the album itself will be a classic. Featuring the likes of The Doors, The Clash and Duran Duran, here are the 15 worst albums ever made by otherwise great bands: 15. Guns N' Roses – Chinese Democracy (2008) Recorded at 15 different studios over a 10-year period at a cost exceeding $13 million Chinese Democracy is the most expensive rock album ever made, which just goes to show that money can't buy you quality. Early Guns N' Roses guitarist Tracii Guns called Axl Rose's labour of love 'over-indulgent, sterile and not that exciting'. 14. Queen + Paul Rodgers – The Cosmos Rocks (2008) More than a decade after the death of frontman Freddie Mercury in 1991, Queen announced they would be reuniting for a tour with former Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers. The collaboration eventually led to a new record, but the clunky and forgettable The Cosmos Rocks failed to come anywhere near the heights of their classic period. 13. Aerosmith – Draw The Line (1977) Aerosmith were catapulted to rock superstardom by 1975's Toys in the Attic and 1976's Rocks, but by the next year the band had run off the rails. Frontman Steven Tyler was alternating between huge lines of cocaine and fistfuls of sedatives. Guitarist Joe Perry later told band biographer Stephen Davis that during the recording of the incohesive Draw The Line, 'We were drug addicts dabbling in music, rather than musicians dabbling in drugs.' 12. The Doors – Other Voices (1971) When their iconic frontman Jim Morrison died in Paris in July 1971, the remaining three members of The Doors were faced with the difficult decision of whether they should carry on without him. Just three months later they released the album the trio had been working on in his absence: the lacklustre Other Voices. 'We probably shouldn't have put it out that quick after Jim's passing,' admitted guitarist Robby Krieger in a recent interview. 11. Van Halen – Van Halen III (1998) Van Halen only ever released one album with Extreme singer Gary Cherone, and you only have to listen to it to find out why. It was so bad they didn't release another record for 14 years. The most withering review came from the band's original singer David Lee Roth, who opined that the Eddie Van Halen-sung 'How Many Say I' sounded like 'hot water being poured on a cat'. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial 10. Mötley Crüe – Generation Swine (1997) Generation Swine was much hyped before its release because it saw the return of Vince Neil to Mötley Crüe after a five-year absence. Their original singer may have been back in the fold, but their early magic failed to reappear. In 2008, speaking to Cleveland newspaper The Plain Dealer, Neil said: 'It was a terrible record, 'cause there was too much experimenting.' 9. The Who – It's Hard (1982) The Who are one of Britain's greatest ever rock bands, but by 1982 they were running out of steam fast. Iconic drummer Keith Moon had died four years earlier, and the remaining members were unsure whether they even still wanted to be making albums. After releasing the largely insipid It's Hard, they wouldn't make another record for 24 years. 8. Black Sabbath – Forbidden (1995) When someone at Sabbath's record label suggested to guitarist Tony Iommi that the band collaborate with rapper Ice-T, Iommi's response was: 'Who the hell is he?' Not only did Ice-T end up performing on Forbidden, but his Body Count bandmate Ernie C was brought in to produce the record. His style never suited the band, and Iommi has since called the album they made together 'really crap.' 7. Kiss – Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997) In the mid-Nineties, Kiss decided that if they couldn't beat the grunge sound of Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, they may as well join them. They ludicrously tried to reinvent themselves as flannel-wearing alternative rockers, but initially ditched the idea before releasing an album. Then, after bootlegs started to circulate, they put out Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions anyway. It would have been OK if they hadn't. 6. Led Zeppelin – Presence (1976) The end of 1975 was a tough time for Led Zep. Singer Robert Plant was still recovering after being seriously injured in a car accident, so their tour was cancelled and studio time booked instead. Presence was put together in just a few weeks, with guitarist and producer Jimmy Page working 20 hour days to finish it and Plant singing through the pain. In hindsight, bed rest may have been a better option. 5. Genesis – Calling All Stations (1997) By the time drummer and singer Phil Collins quit Genesis in 1996, they were down to two original members: keyboardist Tony Banks and guitarist Mike Rutherford. The pair brought in Scottish singer Ray Wilson to replace Collins, but they shouldn't have bothered. The album was widely panned, with the Chicago Tribune calling it 'a formless blob of synth sounds'. 4. The Clash – Cut The Crap (1985) The final album by punk heroes The Clash is now largely forgotten, excluded from box sets and compilations, and rightfully so. After sacking drummer Topper Headon and guitarist Mick Jones, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon decided to press on with this uninspired record. The band split for good shortly after its release, and Strummer later disowned it, perhaps wishing he had taken his own titular advice. 3. Metallica – St Anger (2003) Sometimes, a band tinkering with the formula that made their name is just what they need to scale new heights. Other times, well, it doesn't work out quite so well. Metallica's bloated St Anger suffered from an overuse of a tinny snare drum sound, a complete lack of guitar solos from Kirk Hammett, and most damningly of all, a succession of vapid, overlong songs. 2. Chris Cornell – Scream (2009) The cover of Chris Cornell's third solo album shows the former frontman of grunge titans Soundgarden symbolically smashing a guitar. On the record itself, he ditched his guitar-led rock sound in favour of electronic pop beats executive produced by Timbaland and 'aided' by Justin Timberlake. The result was certainly a scream, but not in a fun way. 1. Duran Duran – Thank You (1995) It must have seemed like a good idea at the time: A massively successful band paying tribute to their favourite artists and songs. The result was an album named the worst of all time by Q magazine in 2006. The Bob Dylan and Sly and the Family Stone covers were bad enough, but the ghastly nadir was Simon Le Bon rapping his way through Public Enemy's urgent protest anthem '911 is a Joke'.
