In a surprise decision after announcing their “One Hell of a Night” classic rock summer tour pairing with Joe Walsh, Bad Company‘s Mick Ralphs has bowed out of it to be replaced by Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes.
“I’ve decided to sit this upcoming U.S. tour out,” guitarist Ralphs informed fans via the band’s Facebook page. “The travel required to do these dates is something I’m just not feeling up for at the moment. I’m glad the band found Rich to take my place for this run, I’m sure he’ll be great. See you all again soon. Much love to Paul and Simon, and love to all our fans for supporting us over the years. Thanks.”
“I’m excited to be joining Bad Company as their special guest on tour this summer,” Robinson says. “One of my favorite bands growing up was Free. I’ve been a big fan of Paul Rodgers and his work throughout his career – from Bad Company and beyond – and Simon Kirke is one of my all time favorite drummers. To be able to play with Paul and Simon is such an honor. I’m really looking forward to it. See you out there!”
For the founding Crowe (now artist in his own right), the timing is good. He has a new solo album – title and details as yet unannounced – coming in May. Plus he is reissuing expanded versions of his previous records: 2004’s Paper and 2011’s Llama Blues EP recently hit stores and 2011’s Through a Crooked Sun and 2014’s The Woodstock Sessions come out on April 15. Robinson and BadCo singer Paul Rodgers performed together last year at the EMP Museum in Seattle at a tribute to Jimmy Page, Rodgers’ former bandmate in The Firm.
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
7/1/2016 – Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park Amphitheatre
7/3/2016 – Nashville, TN – Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheatre
