Paul Rodgers   Simon Kirke   Mick Ralphs   Boz Burrell
Return with ANTHOLOGY and they hit the stage for the first time in almost 20 years

 


In fine form the Original Bad Company hit the stage running for two nights at Clearwater, Florida's, Ruth Eckerd Hall on May 15th & 16th.  Playing in front of 4,400 enthusiastic fans, what a great way to start off the Original Anthology Summer 1999 Tour.  The crowd didn't want to sit down from the opening notes of "Moving On" to the last notes of the recently penned "Hey Hey" and two other newly crafted songs from ANTHOLOGY .  For over an hour and a half Paul Rodgers and company belted hit after hit and bringing back many, many memories galore.

               
 Boz Burrell on bass w/          Lead Guitarist Mick Ralphs            Drummer Simon Kirke                 The Original Voice of Bad Co
Paul Rodgers                                                                                                                                             Paul Rodgers

What a diverse crowd, fans who seem to know every word to almost every song and their kids and even a new genertaion of Bad Co fans are scooping up tickets as fast as they can get them.  These first two shows only warmed up the band for a spectacular pay for view a week later on May 21st at Universal Studios Escape Orlando's newly redesigned Hard Rock Live..  The pay for view included the guitar talents on Pat Travers and Rick Derringer.  Whether you saw it on Pay for View or saw it live or on television it was one night or nights to remember.

With songs like "Moving On," "Bad Company," "Seagull," "Shooting Star," "Rock and Roll Fantasy," "Can't Get Enough," "Feel Like Making Love,"  and "Run With The Pack" to name a few.  This show was short but sweet.  An hour and a half wasn't near enough.  Fans clammered for more when it was over.  Granted  the Bad Co guys could have played longer or had more special effects, but Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Boz Burrell, and Mick Ralphs let the music speak for its self.  No one seemed to mind they didn't play anything from the middle years when they had that other singer, because it seemed that in the minds of everyone in attendance those three nights knew only one thing and that is "PAUL ROGERS IS THE VOICE OF THE ORIGINAL BAD COMPANY."

Myself and a few others I talked to that second night said they would definately spend forty dollars to relive a part of Rock and Roll History and early 20's and late teens memories.  A word of advice from many experienced Rock and Roll fans and critics, please don't start off  like a speeding locamotive and end like a dying flower.  You opened the gated with a bang and ended with a couple of songs that no one knew.

Overall this was three incredible nights of solid in your face classic rock and roll.  After all Rock and Roll is hear to stay, just look at what the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac did only 2-3 years ago.  Every classic rock act that can still get up there in front of their many fans seems to be giving it a whirl.  Rumor even has it that Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young will be on the road sometime this Summer.  Don't forget to look out for the "BOSS" Bruce Springsteen.  Rumor has it that he has recently sold out 14 shows at New Jersy's Continental Airlines Arena (o.k. so it's still the Medowlands to most of you.)  Be sure to look for highlights from World Wide Live's Assistant Editor Greg Manes' full report on THE BOSS from Earls Court Arena in London.

Check em' out when Bad Company comes to a city near you.  You won't be dissapointed!!!

Date                   City                                         State                                               Venue

05/21/99             Orlando                                      FL                                                Hard Rock Live
06/23/99             Winston-Salem                          NC                                                Lawrence Joel Complex
06/24/99             Washington                                DC                                               MCI Center
06/26/99             State College                             PA                                                Bryce Jordan Center
06/27/99             Atlantic City                               NJ                                                Trump Marina
06/30/99             Mansfield                                   MA                                              Tweeter Center For The Perf. Arts
07/01/99             Bethlehem                                  PA                                                Stabler Arena
07/03/99             Philadelphia                                PA                                                Mann Music Center
07/04/99             Darien Center                            NY                                                Darien Lake P.A.C.
07/06/99             Scranton                                     PA                                                 Montage Mountain
07/08/99             Tinley Park                                 IL                                                 New World Music Theatre
07/09/99             Detroit                                        MI                                                Joe Louis Arena
07/10/99             East Troy                                    WI                                                Alpine Valley Music Th.
07/13/99             St. Louis                                      MO                                              Kiel Center
07/14/99             Indianapolis                                IN                                                 Market Square Arena
07/15/99             Greenville                                   SC                                                Bi-Lo Center
07/17/99             Dallas                                         TX                                                 Reunion Arena
07/18/99             Toledo                                        OH                                                River Park
07/20/99             Englewood                                  CO                                                Fiddler's Green Amph.
07/22/99             Missoula                                     MT                                               Caras Park Pavilion
07/24/99             Spokane                                      WA                                               Spokane Arena
07/25/99             Boise                                           ID                                                 Pavilion At Boise State
07/28/99             Portland                                      OR                                                Rose Garden Arena
07/30/99             Reno                                           NV                                                Lawlor Events Center
07/31/99             Las Vegas                                  NV                                                Hard Rock Hotel - The Joint
08/01/99             San Diego                                  CA                                                 SDSU Open Air Theatre
08/03/99             San Jose                                    CA                                                 San Jose Arena
08/04/99             Sacramento                               CA                                                 ARCO Arena
08/06/99             Salt Lake City                           UT                                                 Delta Center
08/07/99             Phoenix                                      AZ                                                 Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion
08/08/99             Los Angeles                              CA                                                 Greek Theatre

                     Find more information on Original Bad Company.
Bryan Lambert
World Wide Live - Editor
Photos (c) 1999 AUDIOFILES
No part may be used without written consent on the publisher.