As Best Classic Bands tipped you off a few days ago, Joe Walsh and Bad Company (Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Simon Kirke) will be touring together. The classic rock acts have joined for their “One Hell Of A Night” tour which begins in Dallas, Texas on May 12 and ends in Nashville TN on July 3rd. As co-headliners they will rotate the headlining spot each show.
“I had always hoped that we would do something together and so here we are 30 years later finally touring together,” Bad Company lead singer Paul Rodgers says. “It has taken us this long so I wouldn’t miss this. Unless you want to wait 30 more years for our next tour in 2046!!! There is only one Joe Walsh, he is such a unique person and an uber talented singer, songwriter and musician.”
“I have a huge amount of respect for Paul of course and the band and we get along great,” added Walsh. “Paul and I agreed it would be a hell of an evening of music, one that will be memorable for everyone who comes, and memorable for us, and that’s important in this day and age.” As for who will headline in what city Walsh playfully quipped: “I told Paul, if it’s a long bus ride I go first!”
“I’ve loved Joe Walsh since I first heard the James Gang many years ago, looking forward to playing with him again!” remarked Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs.
“Getting back on stage with Mick and Paul is always a thrill for me,” added Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke. “And knowing that I get to see Joe Walsh every night makes it that much better…”
The tour will include special VIP ticket packages for sale, including a pre-show party, premium seats, photo opportunity with Walsh, exclusive merch and more. “We wanted to open it up, meet our fans and give back something special to as many people as possible who have been supporting both our bands all these years,” said Walsh.
Performing with Walsh will be some of his backing band members from his 2015 solo tour, including Joe Vitale, his Barnstorm bandmate on drums and adding Chad Cronwell on drums; Waddy Wachtel on guitar; Larry Young on bass and Jimmy Wallace on keyboards. Leslie Fuller, Connie Jackson,Windy Wagner and Rickey Washington will be background singers and Clayton Janes on samples.
British singer, songwriter and recording artist Steve Rodgers will open each show acoustically, playing original songs from his new album.
Bad Company haven’t toured since 2014, and last year they reissued deluxe versions of their first two albums, which could benefit from the promotional oomph of a tour. And who among us doesn’t have fond feelings for such album rock radio staples as “Can’t Get Enough,” “Feel Like Making Love,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” and other BadCo gems?
As for Walsh, he has toured rather regularly in recent years as a solo when not doing so with The Eagles. Now with that band almost surely over with the death of Glenn Frey, and riding high on what many feel was his best album in years, 2012’s Analog Man, his presence as a solo act on the summer 2016 tour circuit makes that decision seem even more likely.
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JOE WALSH & BAD COMPANY TOUR DATES (click here for tickets):
5/12/2016 – Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion
5/15/2016 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
5/17/2016 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion
5/18/2016 – Chula Vista, CA – Sleep Train Amphitheatre
5/20/2016 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
5/22/2016 – Phoenix, AZ – AK-Chin Pavilion
5/24/2016 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
5/26/2016 – New Orleans, LA – Bold Sphere Music at Champions Square
5/28/2016 – Tampa, FL – MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
5/29/2016 – W. Palm Beach, FL – Cruzan Amphitheatre
6/7/2016 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
6/9/2016 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
6/11/2016 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
6/12/2016 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavillion
6/14/2016 – Wantagh, NY – Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
6/16/2016 – Noblesville, IN – Klipsch Music Center
6/18/2016 – St Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
6/20/2016 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
6/22/2016 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
6/23/2016 – Chicago, IL – FirstMerit Bank Pavilion
6/26/2016 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
6/28/2016 – Pittsburgh, PA – First Niagara Pavilion
6/30/2016 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavillion
7/3/2016 – Nashville, TN – Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheatre
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Waddy Wachtel’s name is spelled wrong in the article. The correct spelling is Wachtel. In the article it is spelled Watchel.
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Thanks for catching that, Rhianna! We’ve fired the typist.