Album Review: Bad Company – Live In London

Heartstar Music Inc – November 13^th, 2026

Reviewer – Chris O’Connor

I’ve always had something of a love/hate relationship with Bad Company. There’s absolutely no denying their place amongst British rock royalty, nor the extraordinary catalogue of songs they’ve given us over the decades. However, I’ve never been particularly comfortable with the way the late Brian Howe was treated, a man whose contribution to the band’s massive American success during the late eighties and early nineties has, in my opinion, never received the recognition it justly deserves.

But that’s a discussion for another day.

What makes ‘Live In London‘ particularly special is the presence of the late, great Mick Ralphs. As someone whose introduction to rock music came courtesy of the magnificent Mott The Hoople, Ralphs has always occupied a special place in my musical affections. Alongside Ian Hunter, he helped create some of the music that shaped my formative years, and his subsequent achievements with Bad Company merely reinforced what an exceptional musician and songwriter he was.

Recorded at London’s O2 Arena on October 29^th, 2016, this fifteen-track collection captures what would tragically become Ralphs‘ final live performance with the band. Just four days later, he suffered a devastating stroke, never to return to the stage. His passing in June 2025 makes this release all the more poignant.

Musically, there’s plenty to celebrate. Opening with the swaggering ‘Live For The Music‘, the band work their way through an impressive selection of classics, including ‘Feel Like Makin‘ Love‘, ‘Burnin’ Sky‘, ‘Run With The Pack‘, ‘Shooting Star’ and the inevitable ‘Can’t Get Enough‘.

Ralphs‘ guitar playing remains a joy throughout. Never a man to indulge in unnecessary fretboard gymnastics, his wonderfully understated, blues-infused style demonstrates that musical expression is about considerably more than the number of notes you can squeeze into a bar. His extended contribution to ‘Ready For Love‘ is particularly affecting.

Paul Rodgers, meanwhile, remains one of British rock’s most distinctive vocalists, although I have to confess that, to these ears, he’s not quite at his imperious best here. There’s occasionally a little less of that effortless power and soulful authority that made his performances with Free and early Bad Company so extraordinary. But then, age catches up with us all, even rock gods, and there’s still plenty of class on display.

Simon Kirke provides his customary rock-solid rhythmic foundation, ably supported by bassist Todd Ronning and guitarist Howard Leese. The closing acoustic rendition of ‘Seagull‘ is especially moving. Knowing what subsequently happened to Ralphs, it’s almost impossible not to hear it as a farewell, even though nobody present could possibly have realised its significance.

‘Live In London‘ isn’t a flawless performance, nor does it pretend to be. What it offers is something arguably more valuable: a lasting document of one of British rock’s finest guitarists doing what he loved, alongside the band he helped make legendary. For Mick Ralphs alone, this is a release worth treasuring.

Track List:

1. Live for the Music
2. Gone, Gone, Gone
3. Feel Like Makin’ Love
4. Electricland
5. Burnin’ Sky
6. Run with the Pack
7. Ready for Love
8. Crazy Circles
9. Troubleshooter
10. Movin’ On
11. Shooting Star
12. Can’t Get Enough
13. Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy
14. Bad Company
15. Seagull

Web Links:

Official Website

Facebook

X

Instagram