Paul Rodgers shares Rock Hall acceptance speech after missing ceremony due to health
His video has been posted on Bad Company's YouTube channel
Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers has released a video of his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech after he missed Saturday's ceremony due to health reasons.
The 75-year-old powerhouse vocalist has suffered multiple strokes over the past decade, and he broke the news to fans last week that he wouldn’t be travelling to Los Angeles to perform with Simon Kirke.
“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 prioritise my health,” Rodgers said at the time.
“I have no problem singing, it's the stress of everything else. Thank you for understanding.”
Drummer Simon Kirke accepted Bad Company’s induction at Saturday’s ceremony, and he also played ‘Feel Like Makin’ Love’ and ‘Can’t Get Enough’ alongside an all-star tribute band featuring Joe Perry, Nancy Wilson, Bryan Adams, Chris Robinson and Mick Fleetwood.
Two days after the ceremony, Paul Rodgers posted a video in which he delivers his four-minute speech in its entirety.
He said during the speech: “In 1964, when I was 14 years old, I was sitting in my classroom overlooking Middlesbrough, my hometown in the northeast of England. I could see beyond the town below the steelworks, and beyond that the chemical factory, and beyond that the shipyards.
"My teacher, Mr Garrity, said, 'OK, class, take a good look out there. It's where most of you, if not all of you, will be going when you graduate from this school.' That night, I went to a dance and I heard a record by Little Richard. Good Golly, Miss Molly. And a whole box of fireworks went off in my head, rockets and all.
"And I thought to myself, I'm going to follow that music and find out all about it. That's what I did. I followed that music. 60 plus years went by in the blink of an eye, and I find myself being inducted into the brotherhood and sisterhood of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with my bandmates in Bad Company.
"The one-of-a-kind Mick Ralphs, we never could have done it without you, mate. The innovative and creative Boz Burrell, both with us in spirit tonight, and the unbeatable Simon Kirke. Thank you, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board, for this induction and for helping keep the essence of rock and roll music and other types of music alive.
"Music is such a positive force. I would like to dedicate this to all of our devoted fans. This is for you and because of you. Thank you for enabling us to live our dream. I thank the great blues and soul musicians who inspired me. Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Aretha Franklin, Sam Moore from Sam and Dave, BB and Albert King, and so many others."
After thanking musicians he has worked with over the decades, including Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, B.B. King, Mick Ralphs, Brian May, Roger Taylor, Joe Perry and Slash, Rodgers went on: "You have a right to be here
"Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him or her to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. It is still a beautiful world. My prayer for us is that we all choose love. Thank you."
Bad Company were immortalised in the performer’s category at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday alongside Soundgarden, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and The White Stripes.
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