Paul Rodgers, iconic lead vocalist, main songwriter and founding member of legendary rock band Bad Company, will release his first single “Living It Up” on June 23. The song is the first from Rodgers forthcoming LP Midnight Rose, slated for release on September 22 via Sun Records. This is Rodgers’ first solo album of new music in nearly 25 years.
The eight-track album is a collection of all new, original music completely written by Rodgers, with the exception of “Living It Up,” which was co-written by Rodgers and his band’s bassist Todd Ronning, and drummer Rick Fedyk.
The album was produced by Cynthia Rodgers and Bob Rock, and was recorded at Roper Recording and The Warehouse over the last 18 months with unique album artwork contributed by Paul and his love of 26 years, Cynthia.
“My new album ‘Midnight Rose’ grew from sparks of ideas I had,” says Rodgers. “The sparks developed into a raging fire when the band and everyone involved brought their absolute ‘A’ game. I think it is my best album to date, I like it. I hope you do too.”
“Paul Rodgers is a rock legend and we’re proud to have him on the Sun Records label. His album, Midnight Rose, is a modern day classic that his established and new fans will love,” says Dominic Pandiscia, Chief Strategy Officer, Primary Wave/Sun Label Group. “We have heard one consistent comment throughout the record making process and it’s that Paul has never sounded better. I couldn’t agree more.”
The album’s second single, “Take Love,” will be released July 28
Midnight Rose Track Listing
All songs written by Rodgers with the exception of “Living It Up.”
1. “Coming Home”
2. “Photo Shooter”
3. “Midnight Rose”
4. “Living It Up” (Rodgers, Ronning, Fedyk)
5. “Dance in the Sun”
6. “Take Love”
7. “Highway Robber”
8. “Melting”
About Paul Rodgers:
The founding member of English supergroup Bad Company along with guitarist Mick Ralphs, Rodgers has sold more than 125 million records worldwide in his 55-year career. In addition to Bad Company, Rodgers formed and led two other legendary English bands to international success — Free with guitarist Paul Kossoff, and The Firm with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.
“Working with Paul gave me the opportunity to appreciate what an extraordinary vocalist & songwriter this man really is,” Page said.
Rodgers was also instrumental in resurrecting Queen under the banner of “Queen + Paul Rodgers,” which saw the group release an original album The Cosmos Rocks, which marked the first time Rodgers released new, original music since his 1999 solo album Electric. They also released several live DVDs including songs from both of their respective catalogs. He fronted the band for four years from 2004 to 2008 before leaving to return to his solo career and Bad Company.
“[He’s] simply the greatest blues/rock singer alive. Having now had the privilege to work with Paul, it is even more clear to me that Paul Rodgers is the rock/blues voice they all look up to,” said Brian May, lead guitarist of Queen.
He added, “Free’s Fire & Water album was our bible when we were starting out. I remember we were in the studio recording and Freddie was doing the vocal track. I made some suggestions and he said, ‘I’m not Paul Rodgers, I can’t do that!’”
Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant calls him “the voice of all British voices” and Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him as “One of the Greatest Singers of All Time.” Some hit songs include “All Right Now,” “Bad Company,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Can’t Get Enough,” “Satisfaction Guaranteed,” and “Radioactive.”
The multiple-time, Grammy-nominated artist, Rodgers has played with singers such as Robert Plant, Bryan Adams, Brian Johnson, Sam Moore, Roger Daltry, Pat Simmons, Tom Johnson, Johnny Van Zant, Ann Wilson, Winona Judd, LeAnn Rimes and Deborah Bonham; guitarists such as Paul Kossoff, Mick Ralphs, Jimmy Page, Brian May, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren, Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Peter Frampton and Billy Duffy; and percussionists John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Simon Kirke, Roger Taylor, Charlie Watts and Matt Sorum. Further, he has also played with blues’ greats and soul legends BB King, Aretha Franklin and Buddy Guy.
Well respected rock journalist Mick Wall, author of biographies on rock stars including Ozzy Osbourne, Jon Bon Jovi, and Axl Rose, with bylines in publications such as Louder, Classic Rock and Kerrang!, believes “everyone knows that Paul Rodgers is one of the greatest singers in the world. What they are only waking up to is that there may never be another like him.”
About Sun Records:
Established in 1952 by Sam Phillips, Sun Records is the home of music legends including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Linda Martell, Jeannie C. Riley, The Dixie Cups, Howlin’ Wolf, Rosco Gordon, and many more. Inherent in the music of Sun is a vibrancy that has reached across race, age, and gender boundaries. This year, Sun Records celebrates the diversity and vision of the talent that has helped shape American popular culture for 70 years.