You can do so by going to the link in this article and cast your vote everyday up until April 21.
By Tracy Dietlin/Publisher
Bad Company definitely, deserves this prestigious honor as they have been a band since 1973, toured the world, released 12 studio and 6 live albums sold in excess of 60 million records and won numerous awards throughout their career.
Lead vocalist and founder of the band Paul Rodgers, has also had a very successful solo career and the other band members Mick Ralphs, Simon Kirke and Boz Burrell have also been involved in successful side projects.
Rodgers has a local connection to the Coachella Valley as he has performed here many times, is involved in the local charity C.A.N. (Coachella Animal Network) who provide low cost spay and neutering for low income families headed by Kim Hardee, plus Paul and his wife Cynthia own a home in Palm Springs.
I’ve had the privilege of talking with Paul many times. So, I reached out again to talk to him about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination.
A chat with singer, songwriter and frontman Paul Rodgers.
CVW: Paul can you tell us what it would mean to you to make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Rodgers: “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame carries a lot of weight here in North America and is pretty iconic as are many of the acts who have been inducted. There is Led Zeppelin, Otis Redding, Paul McCartney, Link Wray, Nina Simone, Lynyrd Skynryd, Van Halen, Miles Davis, Ringo Star, Fats Domino, The Doobie Brothers, Dolly Parton, Def Leppard, Joan Baez, George Harrison, Carol King, Alice Cooper, Heart and the varied list goes on and on.
I was in touch with Johnny VanZant from Skynryd recently and he told me that they were nominated seven times before they were inducted! This is the first time that Bad Company have been nominated so I am hoping that with our incredible fans and friends’ support, voting every day, that we will be inducted this November when the ceremony is held in LA.
Mick Ralphs, our amazing guitarist and my songwriting partner, has had some very serious health issues so now would be best so that he can at least know that we were inducted. When I called to tell him about the nomination he was elated.”
CVW: Are you still close with all your bandmates?
Rodgers: “Yes. Our one of a kind bassist Boz Burrell passed in 2006 but Mick Ralphs, Simon Kirke and I are still in touch. Mick and I put the band together in 1973 just imagine all of those shared experiences through 5O plus years of touring and recording, all of that time spent together makes you a family of sorts. Given that I no longer tour and live in Canada, but winter in Palm Springs, I don’t get to see Mick very often but we talk on the phone regularly. Cynthia, my wife, and I just had dinner with Simon, Bad Co’s drummer, and his wife Maria when he was in the valley to play golf and perform at the Patrick Warburton Charity Golf Classic. Do you know they raised an incredible 5 million dollars for St.Jude Children’s Hospital which you have to agree is beyond amazing, especially in this economic challenging climate! Congratulations to everyone who donated and to Patrick Warburton, Alice Cooper, Simon and company for using their celebrity and golfing skills to do so much good. I have visited St. Jude Hospital and the experience left me deeply and forever moved. The care that they provide for the children and their families is heaven sent.”
CVW: When you get inducted do you think Mick will be able to be there as well?
Rodgers: “You mean if Bad Company gets inducted. The voting process goes on daily until April 21 at which time we will be notified if we will be inducted. Mick will be there in our hearts but unfortunately, he is unable to travel these days.”
CVW: What was your favorite Bad Company album to make?
Rodgers: “I chose two. I think the first one ‘Bad Co’ released in 1974 and ‘The Anthology’ released in 1999.I chose the first album because it was an exciting time for our new band and I felt some of that same excitement with The Anthology because I suggested to Mick that we add four new songs to the release which we did which made it exciting and challenging.Mick wrote ‘Hey Hey’ and ‘Ain’t It Good’ and I wrote ‘Hammer of Love’ and ‘Tracking Down a Runaway’ we hit the top ten with two of the tracks ‘Hey Hey’ and ‘Hammer of Love’ so our excitement was felt by radio, the fans and us as a band. I like to keep pushing forward with the creative process and write new songs and our fans have been very open about receiving new music.”
CVW: What is still your favorite Bad Company song to perform live?
Rodgers: “When we were touring that would vary from night to night but more often than not, ‘Shooting Star’ was a consistent favorite to play, due mainly to the crowd participation. There is something exhilarating when the fans sing along. It is like the coming together of a massive clan. From individuals when they enter the venue to a unified group. Music can do that, bring people together and I love that. The power of people… together. It’s a beautiful thing.”
CVW: Are you currently still touring as a band or solo?
Rodgers: “I have retired from touring and I am finally taking Elvis’ advice from all those years go when he sent me a handwritten note advising me to…”Take time to live!” At the time, in the 70’s, I thought what does he mean I am living, aren’t I? He passed some months later and it is only in the past couple of years that I understand what he truly meant.”
CVW: What was one of your favorite or craziest memories of being out on tour with the band?
Rodgers: “There are many, so many that I am writing a book, my memoirs should be out in 2026. We started the process about 6 months ago. Let me tell you books take a long time. I sometimes find myself talking about events and then wondering did that really happen? Then you google it and sure enough it did. My life continues to be blessed in so many ways. Not too shabby for a lad from Middlesbrough, England.”
CVW: I know you have a home here in the desert. How much time do you spend here? And why did you and Cynthia choose to live here part time?
Rodgers: “We spend 3-4 months here in the winter. Our good friends Karen and Tim introduced us to Palm Springs, although I had hubbed out of here during our touring days in the 70’s. Although back then did not get too much time to explore the valley unlike now. Ten years ago we were greeted by hummingbirds at the airport. Where else in the world would that happen? Cynthia and I exchanged a look and said let’s look at properties immediately we bought our home two days later. We still are in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds us and the loving, caring community that we live in. At a glance you wouldn’t think so, but there is so much life in the mountains around but unless you get out and hike you would never know that it exists. This really is an enchanting, magical valley.”
You are allowed and encouraged to vote for Bad Company daily seven days a week until April 21 at https://vote.rockhall.comRock & Roll Hall of Fame Fan Vote 2025
Cast your official Fan Vote 2025 ballot for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The top seven artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a “Fans’ Ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2025 inductees.
vote.rockhall.com
CVW: Is there anything else you want to share?
Rodgers: “Huge appreciation to rock drummer Matt (Sorum) (Guns n Roses, Kings of Chaos) who is the rock star of our community not only for what is doing with his Adopt the Arts Program and his honor children’s choir The Changels, but he helps many causes and in so many ways. Check him out online. I was blown away by how much he does to care for this community. He definitely is an epic inspiration and a motivator to get involved. FYI Watch for an announcement from Adopt the Arts Program because last weekend The Changels and I got together I can’t say anymore than that.”
About The Changels
The Changels (“Angels of Change”) are an honor choir comprised of over 85 elementary students from Adopt the Arts partner schools in Southern California. Through choral music, The Changels bring people together with messages of unity and hope, performing a wide variety of musical genres for local and national audiences. The choir focuses on developing students’ musical abilities while building self-confidence, improving reading skills, and teaching teamwork and discipline.
Rodgers: “Congratulations to all of the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees and thanks to Tracy Dietlin and all at CV Weekly for helping keep our community connected.”
From the Publisher: On a personal note, I have been a Bad Company fan since 1973 when I was just 12 years old. I still have all of their albums on vinyl. It has been my honor and privilege to not only interview Paul several times over the years, but to get to know him and his lovely wife Cynthia personally, as well as his daughter Jasmine and son Steven, both who are musicians as well.
I urge all Bad Company fans, CV Weekly readers and our friends to go vote for this incredible band.
