The Firm

The band was formed in 1984 around Jimmy Page (former guitarist of Led Zeppelin) and Paul Rodgers (former singer of Free and Bad Company). Despite the fame of its members, the band's album sales never took off, and this despite sold-out tours. The other members are Tony Franklin on fretless bass, keyboards and synthesizer as well as Chris Slade on drums from Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Originally, Jimmy Page wanted to hire Bill Bruford on drums and Pino Palladino on bass. However Bill Bruford was under contract with another label and Pino Palladino was on tour with Paul Young. Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers both refused to play songs from their respective former bands, choosing to play songs from their solo albums as well as pieces from the album The Firm.