The Firm (rock band)
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Studio albums, live performances |
The Firm was a British rock supergroup established in 1984, composed of vocalist Paul Rodgers, guitarist Jimmy Page, drummer Chris Slade, and bassist Tony Franklin. The group issued two studio albums in 1985 and 1986, attaining chart recognition with tracks such as "Radioactive," "All the King's Horses," and "Satisfaction Guaranteed."
History
During the early 1980s, both Rodgers and Page were moving on from their previous bands, Bad Company and Led Zeppelin respectively. Rodgers recounted, "Jimmy was somewhat directionless at the time... He visited my home studio and we began composing together... Jimmy was eager to tour, so we assembled a band." Their initial lineup attempts included drummer Bill Bruford and bassist Pino Palladino, but contractual obligations prevented their involvement.
The Firm deliberately refrained from performing material from their earlier bands, instead concentrating on original compositions by The Firm and solo works. Nevertheless, "Midnight Moonlight" featured motifs from "White Summer" and "Kashmir," originally by The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin. Franklin’s fretless bass added a smooth, commercially appealing dimension to their sound. Some critics observed that "Midnight Moonlight" was derived from an unreleased Led Zeppelin piece named "Swan Song," prompting speculation that Page's creative reservoir was dwindling.
Both Page and Rodgers later confirmed that The Firm was conceived as a brief collaboration limited to two albums. Following the group's dissolution, Page and Rodgers pursued solo ventures; Slade became a member of AC/DC in 1989, while Franklin worked alongside John Sykes and Carmine Appice in the band Blue Murder.
Band members
- Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Jimmy Page – lead guitar, violin bow
- Tony Franklin – fretted and fretless bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizer
- Chris Slade – drums, percussion
Films, DVDs
- The Firm Live at Hammersmith 1984 (1984) (limited edition video)
- 5 from the Firm (1986)
Official tours
- Europe (29 November 1984 – 9 December 1984)
- USA (1985)
- Included two UK shows at Middlesbrough Town Hall and London Hammersmith Odeon. Performances featured songs by The Firm alongside solo pieces from Rodgers and Page, including Rodgers' "Live in Peace."
- United States (14 March 1986 – 28 May 1986)
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | UK | ||
| 1985 | The Firm | 17 | 15 |
| 1986 | Mean Business | 22 | 46 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Rock |
UK | ||
| 1985 | "Radioactive" | 28 | 1 | 76 |
| "Closer" | - | 19 | - | |
| "Satisfaction Guaranteed" | 73 | 4 | - | |
| 1986 | "All the King's Horses" | 61 | 1 | - |
| "Live in Peace" | - | 21 | - | |