Paul Rodgers of Bad Company to play The Joint on Tuesday

BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Thursday, July 05, 2012
7/05/12 at 3:57 AM

English rocker Paul Rodgers has written for and performed on more than 40 albums in his 40-plus-year music career. Bands he helped found include Bad Company, The Firm, Free, The Law and his own Paul Rodgers Band.

"What's different about the solo shows is I play songs I wrote with all my bands. There's a huge cross-section of 40 years of my music history."

From Free's "All Right Now" to Bad Company's "Bad Company" and The Firm's "Radioactive," "there's just so much to choose from," Rodgers said.

His songs are a part of the American rock landscape. So much so, he said, "people think I'm American all the time," the musician said. "They ask if I was born in the Delta," he added, then laughed.

That's because the Middlesbrough, England, native is so heavily influenced (and inspired) by Delta-area blues and "talking blues" musicians, including John Lee Hooker, B.B. King and Albert King.

"I love those guys," he said. "They really expressed their heart and soul. The first time I heard their music, it leaped out of the speaker and into my heart. That music moves people."

Heck, even all-American John Mellencamp called Rodgers "the best singer ever."

Rodgers said he's writing and recording new material, too, and he just spent some time in Memphis at the iconic Royal Studios.

When on tour, he also spends a lot of those dates in the states, he said. Tuesday will be his second time through The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. He ended his tour with Bad Company in front of a sold-out crowd in the venue last October.

"It's going to be great coming back there to the Hard Rock," he said. "The people there love their rock 'n' roll."

The musician does only about 20-30 shows a year these days, making each one all the more exclusive.

"It also makes them more exciting and energetic for everyone - the band, the crowds and myself," he said. "I've done the 'road slogging' already. That's over. I'm very selective."

This stop includes two guitarists, a bassist and drummer, he said. "Plus, I'll play piano and acoustic guitar. We change things up."

Rodgers is a man used to being in charge of the show, he said.

He spent five years as the frontman for iconic rock act Queen but admits his journey with the act took him out of his comfort zone.

"I'm used to creating bands. I never planned on joining a band. But it was interesting, and we played each other's material exceptionally well."

Not to mention that former singer Freddie Mercury was heavily influenced by Rodgers' own voice.

"But some were so challenging. 'The Show Must Go On' had never been performed live before we did it on tour."

Although he doesn't count out doing something again with Queen, he said it isn't likely unless it's a one-off reunion show. He also said much the same thing about his band Bad Company.

For instance, BadCo recently played a set of concerts overseas, one to raise money for charity.

"I never close the door all the way."

For love

Paul Rodgers has a soft spot for horses and recently helped save five from slaughter near Chichester, England.

His latest single, "With Our Love," raises proceeds to help save the animals, too, he said. The tune is available via CD Baby and Rodgers' official website. All proceeds go to charities The Racehorse Sanctuary, Rocking Horse Children's Charity and Seraphim 12 Foundation.

Learn more at tulsaworld.com/paulrodgers

PAUL RODGERS

When: Doors open 7 p.m., showtime 8 p.m. Tuesday

Where: The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa

Tickets: Must be 21 or older. Tickets are $40, $45 and $55, available at tulsaworld.com/hardrockcasino, the venue box office or by calling 918-384-7625.

Original Print Headline: Worldly rocker

Jennifer Chancellor 918-581-8346
jennifer.chancellor@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Paul Rodgers returns to Tulsa for a Tuesday concert at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Courtesy