By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers would love to release new material, but he fears the wrestling match that would ensue between the songs.
“I’m always writing material,” says Rodgers, from his British Columbia home. “Putting new material in the set, it would have a lot of competition. The songs in there have a lot of radio play, they’re very, very popular and people want to hear them.
“If I do anything new, it has to be good. I’m waiting to write the next hit,” he adds with a laugh.
Bad Company will play those hits poolside at Talking Stick Resort on Friday, May 24. The show is one of 25 U.S. shows this year and its only Arizona gig.
“I don’t like the wall-to-wall touring so much now,” Rodgers says. “We just want to keep it fresh for everybody.”
Rodgers’ Bad Company bandmates are longtime drummer Simon Kirke, guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Todd Ronning. Guitarist Mick Ralphs doesn’t plan to tour for a while.
“He had a stroke, as you know,” Rodgers says. “He’s incapacitated in many ways. He still has use of his right hand. We’re encouraging him to play a bit of piano and write and play guitar. He’s doing alright.”
Bad Company will step aside from its music to play “All Right Now,” a song Rodgers did with Free. The song was recently recognized by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) for garnering 5 million-plus radio plays in the United States. “All Right Now” was written by Free bassist Andy Fraser and Rodgers.
“When Andy and I were writing the song, who knew it would maintain such a long radio life,” Rodgers says. “Bad Company will be including ‘All Right Now’ in its set. I figure with Simon on the drums—Simon was also in Free—on the original record, it made sense to play the songs for the fans. No one is complaining.”
more info
What: Bad Company w/
Steve Rodgers
When: 8 p.m. Friday, May 24
Where: The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale
Cost: Tickets start at $35
Info: 480-850-7777,
talkingstickresort.com
