Bad Company Brian Howe 2005 interview

[@Firebrandrock]

Huge voice, wonderful vibrato and hands down the most underrated rock singer of our age miss him badly

[@ms.p1502]

totally agree

[@RoxyWrites]

Thank you for this. Now that Howe has left us and is *walking on Holy Water* in another space and time, it's great to hear his voice, his professionalism as a rocker, and his dedication to the music via this interview. Rodgers and the others in the old Bad Co have been so ungracious to this talented man, despite that they owe the name of the band surviving all this time to everything he did in the 80s and 90s for them, as they do to Terry Thomas, the producer who helped Howe write 5 albums for them. As a reporter at the time of Howe's era with this band, and as someone who had musicians for parents, I have always wondered how in the world the old members of Bad Co could treat the rocker who saved their band so they'd actually have one years later as they did. They have been unprofessional in the extreme, not only during his time with them but long after. Over the last decade, Rodgers has cut Howe from the bands chronology and Bio, and he has tried, unsuccessfully to erase the memory of Howe from the band. But Howe's Gold Album Dangerous Age, and his Platinum Album Holy Water, both written and performed for Bad Co during that era where Howe brought Bad Co out of the 70s and into the progressing rock era...those albums speak for themselves as do the sales. The older members wouldn't have gotten back together in '99 or made a hits album afterward without all the work Howe did to save the fan base. That is what a professional does. That was what he was hired to do and he did it for the music. Since his death 3 days ago, RIP Brian Howe 6 May 2020, they've all said nothing, nada--the most ungracious bunch of musicians on the planet, really. And while it's true rock musicians are not typically known for their graciousness, they are often remembered for their professionalism--or lack of it--in this business because despite what the money machine implies, rock is actually quite a small world and all the players know each other. Howe has been both gracious and professional toward the early members of Bad Company and after leaving them to tour with his own band, his voice remained strong and true, in all the ways that mattered, without disrespecting his history with them or theirs. That amazing voice never failed him, and he toured until he couldn't any longer due to concert cancellations in this Covid-19 time. This interview showcased his recollections and view about Rodgers et al in an honest way. As with all families, there are members who hold no ill will for others, like Howe, and those that simply cannot let negative feelings go and see the good that was there, like the older members. I find it so sad to lose Howe from rock and certainly from the touring circuit right now, and yet all things being equal, the unprofessional actions of those left behind among what should have been a better family to him have been spotlighted by Brian's death in a way that he would never have visited upon them himself while alive. And that right there is the measure of what makes a great musician--it is always about the music and not about the individual players. That is part of his legacy, and for that we are grateful. In retrospect, Rodgers et al and their current income exist because Howe saved Bad Co from fading into oblivion in the 80s with a decade of his hard work, great writing, and touring sweat. Those who remain will not garner the support of fans who were there, who understood and remember what Howe was all about: the music. For this journalist, Howe's voice, songwriting, and work ethic will be *walking on Holy Water* in my memory forever. Thanks for the great music, Brian Howe. And thank you, Dave Lawrence, for giving us this honest and fun interview--a wonderful look at the rock experience and a legendary rocker we'll never forget.

[@amosroger323]

I remember the week Holy Water got released, Bad Company appeared on Rockline,I realized not only was Brian Howe a great singer but he had an amazing personally and attitude. Brian Howe is my favorite singer of all time.

[@f331000]

He is my favorite singer too.

[@RoxyWrites]

Now that he's passed away, it's great to have these interviews to hear how genuine a person he was and how remarkably civil and gracious he was toward Rodgers et al in comparison to how awful they have maligned him after his tour with Bad Co and even more so in the last decade since Rodgers decided he wanted to go back to Bad Co after almost 20 years. Then Rodgers trying to erase Howe's history and involvement by removing him from the band chronology and the Bio on the website. It's rather humorous actually. Because Howe's Gold (Dangerous Age) and Platinum (Holy Water) albums, which he wrote with the assistance of Terry Thomas (producer and contributor) while fronting the group for his participative decade cannot be erased. History will hold that to the light. It's so too bad that Rodgers felt so threatened by Howe's performance energy as well as his ability to save the fan base for the band and bring it forward from the 70s into the 80s and 90s before departing to his next part of the journey. Now that he's left us for his last tour on his own journey, this journalist will remember his voice *walking on Holy Water* in my memories forever. RIP Brian. Gratitude.

[@goesjem]

Again, big love man! You dealt with that interview very well. Brian was a great guy. I am happy you didn't push the issue with Paul. Much respect.

[@oceanturtles5779]

I like brian as a front man for badcompany , I like his sound better than any singer . I wish didnt pass so young .

[@JimRosebush-g8v]

Brian had way more powerful vocals for sure!!

[@robertshanks3674]

Dave...great interview he seems like a really nice guy. I was at he spectrum for that concert, I was getting to graduate from S.U -- great concert.

[@daveshawaii]

Thanks, Robert. Appreciate that bro. It was a while ago now - what show are we talking about at the spectrum and what is SU?

[@robertshanks3674]

deep purple/bad co may '87 - su = syracuse university....i further agree with u roger glover seems like a real nice guy. is that interview posted???

[@GreenerHill]

Interesting stuff! Fame & Fortune is one one Bad Company's best, but I agree it doesn't sound typical, even factoring in the lack of Rodgers. (Love the comment about Nugent - always suspected he was just mouth and bravado.) Dangerous Age was a classic album. Brian Howe sounds a nice guy.

[@TheBlackfires]

Good interview. Did ya ever end up getting to talk to Paul Rodgers?

[@daveshawaii]

Aloha and thanks. Yes i did. Just search for paul rodgers dave lawrence on KZbin and it should come up. Was cool, recorded in London the day before he opened for zeppelin in 07.

[@TheBlackfires]

@@daveshawaii Thanks, I'll look. Did ya talk to him about Brian Howe?

[@TheBlackfires]

@@daveshawaii I listened to the Paul Rodgers interview. Excellent interview. I'm glad you asked "Why no 3rd Firm record?" They were my favorite band in high school. Them and The Power Station ruled my world in 1985. Too bad you didnt get to ask about Brian Howe. Did you not wanna go there with Paul?

[@benadam7753]

Did you talk about Brian Howe? Or did Paul Rodgers before the interview started said that any mention of Brian Howe was strictly off limits?

[@markbirchette8740]

Brian Howe also sang for Ted Nugent. Rock In Peace Brian Howe🙏

[@sergiowaters]

👍

[@davedave9020]

Wow, until the Ted Nugent comments, I was with this guy. Nugent is a very rational man in conversation, and Howe was WAYYY to dismissive.

[@samebar]

He wasn't with Bad company for 10 years, it was eight and he's done 3 albums and a single since.....that's since 1993! Before that he did nothing, so Bad Company made him which is why he billed himself as Bad Company Brian Howe ever since......after discovering that he wasn't bigger than the band and in fact was nothing to anyone without it.............As for Rodgers having a problem with him, well if somebody sang my songs and put the name of my band in front of his name every place he went............I think I would too.

[@benadam7753]

5 Albums) Fame & Fortune 1986, Dangerous Age 1988, Holy Water 1990, Here Comes Trouble 1992, What You Hear Is What You get 1993!

[@davidraymond7920]

Brian howe albums went platinum

[@deanladue3151]

Good point, and was very well the source of the animosity that Ralphs, Kirke, and later Rodgers would have towards Howe. Wasn't so much that Howe toured with the Bad Co. name, but also ignored "cease and desist' court orders to do so. I personally find the whole thing kind of sad, because Howe did play a major part in returning Bad Company to prominence in the late 80s and early 90s with great albums, which gave Bad Company a whole new generation of die-hard fans.

[@littlebird2276]

@@davidraymond7920 Original Bad Co had 5 out of their 6 studio albums go platinum, 4 of them multi platinum.

[@another4778]

@@littlebird2276 Yeah, they're also from the 70's so they've had 15-20 years longer to sell. I loved the original version because I loved Free. But the original members behaved like spoiled idiots after Brian died and no matter what precipitated the animosity, that was too low for me. I don't even care to hear those early songs anymore. It's always best not to know the personality of your idols. Who knew Rodgers was such an arrogant asshat? Must have been after the multiple face lifts, hair plugs and getting his teeth fixed.