Paul Rodgers, iconic singer and frontman of Bad Company, decided not to participate in the band’s 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, choosing instead to protect his health. Although he had initially hoped to attend and even perform, Rodgers announced on November 3 that he would stay home. In a message to fans, he clarified that he could still sing without difficulty, but the stress surrounding travel, rehearsals, and the live event would be too much. “I have no problem singing; it’s the stress of everything else,” he explained, asking for understanding as he put his well-being first.
Behind the scenes, the decision was triggered by a troubling health scare. About a week before rehearsals were set to begin, Rodgers experienced severe symptoms: dangerously high blood pressure, chest pains, and heart palpitations. His doctor warned him not to fly, a directive Rodgers later said may have saved him. “I feel I dodged a bullet by doing that,” he admitted. At 75, Rodgers has already survived multiple serious medical episodes, including two major strokes and several minor ones within the past decade. These challenges were part of the reason he announced his retirement from the band in 2023.
Despite his absence, Bad Company’s induction ceremony moved forward smoothly. Co-founder and drummer Simon Kirke led the performance in Los Angeles with “some outstanding musicians,” as Rodgers put it. The Hall of Fame honor also recognized late guitarist Mick Ralphs, who passed away in June 2025, and bassist Boz Burrell, who died in 2006. With both gone, Rodgers and Kirke are the only surviving original members. Rodgers contributed a pre-recorded video message for the ceremony, looking back on his musical journey, from the awe he felt hearing Little Richard as a teenager to his decades-long career that brought him to the Hall of Fame.
Rodgers did not frame his decision with regret, but with relief. He described his current outlook as peaceful and grounded, choosing a slower pace of life instead of the pressure of high-profile performances. In his view, avoiding the induction may have prevented a serious health crisis. While fans missed his presence, Rodgers insisted the band’s legacy remains intact. The induction and the performance honored Bad Company’s history, whether or not he was in the room. For Rodgers, the priority is simple: stay well, enjoy the music, and appreciate the long road that led there.
