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Song

Living It Up

Artist

Paul Rodgers

Paul Rodgers backstory

Middlesbrough’s famous son might be fast approaching his mid-70s but age is just a number for one of the most iconic voices of rock.

And a consistently spectacular back catalogue stretching back to the late 60s looks set to be bolstered further by a first solo album in almost 25 years.

When Rodgers joined Free in 1968 as the band’s singer and songwriter few could have predicted the glittering career that lay ahead.

But breakout 1970 hit All Right Now established the affable Teessider as one to watch on the blues rock scene.

And Rodgers went on to fulfil that early potential over and over again.

Moving on to Bad Company, The Firm, The Law and Queen, his artistic canon exploded across seven decades.

Solo work including 1983’s Cut Loose, 1997’s Now and the critically acclaimed Electric (2000) allowed Rodgers to evolve outside of his various band projects.

Now a Canadian citizen living in British Columbia, the musician described as ‘extraordinary’ by Jimmy Page and ‘the greatest blues/rock singer alive’ by Brian May is back with the hotly anticipated Midnight Rose album.

In Paul Rodgers’ own words

“My new album Midnight Rose grew from sparks of ideas I had.

“The sparks developed into a raging fire when the band and everyone involved brought their absolute ‘A’ game.

“I think it is my best album to date, I like it. 

“I hope you do too.”

The verdict on Living It Up

A love letter to a life well lived will resonate with long-term fans of the peerless Paul Rodgers.

And any late adopters will gain an invaluable snapshot into what drives one of the greatest rock voices of all time.

Kicking off with ‘I left it all in Steeltown/My North Eastern UK home’ — words that reveal roots still run deep for Rodgers — the main man takes us on a spectacular journey through his musical influences.

Key places and influential people are regularly namechecked as the bigger picture gradually becomes clearer.

And it’s a narrative that screams heartfelt authenticity.

But what about that voice?

It’s still as strong, affecting and as purposeful as ever as Rodgers reveals he’s lost none of that warm, reassuring, tonal thrust.

This is brilliant stuff from a truly remarkable artist but it really shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Rodgers is still Living It Up more than 50 years after bursting onto the blues rock scene.

He was alright then. And he’s All Right Now.

What’s next for Paul Rodgers

Midnight Rose is released via Sun Records on September 22.

The album was produced by Cynthia Rodgers and Bob Rock.

Rumours of a headline tour later this year have yet to be confirmed.

Main Image By Brad Gregory