Bad Company rocks steady at the Fair

Has it really been 40 years? Well, their eponymous debut album was recorded in 1973 but actually released June 26, 1974. Just one day short of 39 years from the date of their near sell-out show at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar.

Opening with “Rock ’N’ Roll Fantasy,” vocalist Paul Rodgers seemed to defy the years that have passed, sounding exactly like you have heard him on every FM rock station ever. In addition to Rodgers, the band onstage included founding Bad Co. members Mick Ralphs (guitar) and Simon Kirke (drums), former Heart guitarist Howard Leese, and bassist Todd Ronning.

From the moment the hard-rocking quintet took the stage, the crowd was on its feet, fists pumping and singing along with hits such as “Running with the Pack,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and the encores of “Bad Company” and “Rock Steady.”

There is no doubt Paul Rodgers is one of the great classic frontmen in rock, right up there with Daltrey, Jagger, and Tyler...the exception being that unlike Jagger and Tyler, you can understand every word Rodgers is saying.

Setlist: Rock ’N’ Roll Fantasy, Burnin’ Sky, Run With the Pack, Feel Like Makin’ Love, Gone Gone Gone, Electricland, Seagull, Honey Child, Movin’ On, Shooting Star, Can’t Get Enough. Encore: Bad Company, Rock Steady.

• Concert: Bad Company
• Date: June 25
• Venue: San Diego County Fair
• Seats: Floor, row 4, seat 10
• Photo: ©2013 Daniel Knighton/Pixel Perfect Images