The man John Mellencamp proclaims is the best lead vocalist in rock was born on this day in 1949 in Middlesbrough, UK. Paul Rodgers started his musical journey as a bass player in a group called the Roadrunners when that group's front man decided he'd rather be the rhythm guitarist. The song All Right Now with his next band Free brought his powerful vocals to the attention of the rock world. Free disbanded in 1971 and Rodgers signed on doing vocals and playing some guitar in Peace, a band that toured opening for Mott The Hoople. Free reunited the following year but only remained together until '73, when Rodgers, Free drummer Simon Kirke, Mott The Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell put together Bad Company.
Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on December 17 include...
1942 Paul Butterfield born.
1958 Multi instrumentalist Mike Mills of R.E.M. is born.
1964 Sam Cooke is buried in Chicago six days after being shot and killed by a motel manager when an argument over the whereabouts of the woman he'd arrived with turned physical in El Segundo, California. The woman that pulled ther trigger three times claimed it was in self defense. The Police report of the incident labeled the killing as being a justifiable homicide.
1971 David Bowie releases Hunky Dory.
1976 Genesis releases Wind and Wuthering.
1977 Elvis Costello plays Saturday Night Live, subbing for the Sex Pistols whose visas got shot down.
1982 The Who do the first of their farewell concerts.
1984 ZZ Top's Dusty Hill shoots himself while removing his boot when derringer he had tucked into it goes off.
1986 Doobie Brothers do a benefit concert for Stanford CA Hospital after it names a wing in the band’s honor.
1987 Robert Plant includes Led Zeppelin songs in a concert for the first time during a Band of Joy concert in Folkstone, England.
2005 Neil Young plays Saturday Night Live.
2009 Fire damages London clothing store Eric Clapton has ownership share in.
2010 Paul McCartney does afternoon concert at 350 seat 100 Club in London…
