The Firm (rock band)
The Firm were an English rock supergroup comprising former Free and Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers, ex-Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, bass player Tony Franklin, and ex-Uriah Heep drummer Chris Slade. Formed in 1984, the band had only mediocre album sales, although they did have sellout tours. Page originally wanted former Yes drummer Bill Bruford and fretless bassist Pino Palladino in the group; however, Bruford was contracted to another label and Palladino had tour commitments with singer Paul Young.
Both Page and Rodgers refused to play any material from their former bands and instead opted for a selection of songs from both their solo albums and new songs which were heavily infused with a soulful and more commercially accessible sound, courtesy of Franklin's fretless bass guitar underpinning and understated song structure. Although refusing to play old material, the last track from The Firm, "Midnight Moonlight", was originally an unreleased song by Led Zeppelin entitled "The Swan Song". The recording of the track led critics to believe that Page had begun to run out of ideas. In subsequent press interviews, Page had indicated that the band was never meant to last more than two albums. After the band split, Page and Rodgers returned to solo work while Chris Slade joined AC/DC and Franklin teamed up with guitarist John Sykes in Blue Murder.
Band members
- Paul Rodgers - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
- Jimmy Page - lead & rhythm guitars, acoustic guitar
- Tony Franklin - bass, keyboards, synthesizer
- Chris Slade - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Films, DVDs
- The Firm Live at Hammersmith 1984 (1984) (limited release video)
- Five From the Firm (1986)
Official tours
- Europe (November 29, 1984 - December 9, 1984)
The band only played two UK concerts on this tour at Middlesbrough Town Hall, and the London Hammersmith Odeon. As well as Firm songs the band played solo material by Paul and Jimmy. This included Paul Rodgers gliding onto stage seated at a piano to sing Live in Peace from his earlier solo album. Jimmy played songs from the Death Wish II album, which featured his trademark playing of the guitar with a violin bow while beneath a laser pyramid.
- United States (February 28, 1985 - May 11, 1985)
- United Kingdom (May 18, 1985 - May 22, 1985)
- United States (March 14, 1986 - May 28, 1986)
Albums
- The Firm (1985) #17 US, #19 UK
- Mean Business (1986) #22 US, #46 UK
Singles
- "Radioactive" (1985) #28 US
- "Satisfaction Guaranteed" (1985) #73 US
- "All The King's Horses" (1986) #61 US
- "Live In Peace" (1986)