Paul Rodgers Will Not Perform at Bad Company's Rock Hall of Fame Induction

Paul Rodgers announced on social media that he will neither perform nor attend Bad Company's upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony scheduled for November.

Health Priorities Prevent Participation

In a statement posted by the band, Rodgers explained his absence:

My hope was to be at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and to perform for the fans, but at this time I have to prioritize my health.

He added that singing itself isn't the issue, but the overall stress involved:

I have no problem singing, it's the stress of everything else. [Drummer] Simon [Kirke] along with some outstanding musicians will be stepping in for me — guaranteed to rock.

Earlier Expectations and Comments

Earlier in the month, Rodgers discussed the possibility of performing at the event with Rolling Stone, stating that Bad Company “may well” perform and that he was undecided about which songs to sing. He mentioned “Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy” as a potential choice and spoke about the challenge of making speeches:

If we've got to make a speech, I'll be quite honest, I'm not used to really making speeches of any nature, but I'll be ok.

Health Challenges and Recovery

According to Rolling Stone, Rodgers has experienced significant health challenges over the past decade, including 11 minor strokes and two major strokes, which required him to relearn how to walk and talk. He reflected on the difficulties:

I've spoken to people that are in wheelchairs after a stroke. It's not a pretty thing to go through.

Despite these challenges, Rodgers emphasized his progress:

I feel good.

Summary

Paul Rodgers will prioritize his health by not attending or performing at Bad Company's Rock Hall of Fame induction, entrusting the performance to other musicians while acknowledging his ongoing recovery from multiple strokes.

Ultimate Classic Rock — 2025-11-04