When Bad Company took their rightful place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 8 , 2025, drummer Simon Kirke felt both relief and regret. He described the induction as “long overdue,” acknowledging the band’s impact and legacy while also shouldering the pain of loss.
Kirke’s emotion ran deep especially because founding guitarist Mick Ralphs — who died in June at age 81 after a long illness — learned of the honor just weeks before his passing. According to Kirke, Ralphs’s first words on hearing the news were, “Does that mean we get free hot dogs?” — a line that underlined his humor even in decline.
Kirke recalled how the band had been among the rock world’s overlooked giants: “After 26 years of eligibility, this feels like the cap on a very long journey,” he said.
He also made it known that despite the triumph, acknowledging the absence of Ralphs and late bassist Boz Burrell (who died in 2006) would factor into his speech. “I always get a bit emotional talking about Mick,” he said.
Bad Company will perform two songs at the ceremony, with Kirke and lead singer Paul Rodgers as the only surviving original members present. The event is slated to air live on Disney+, with a highlights special on ABC and Hulu following in January.
For Kirke, the induction wasn’t just a spotlight moment — it was a bittersweet tribute, a long-awaited acknowledgment of a career defined by grit and melody, and a quietly poignant farewell to bandmates who helped build the sound.
