Nearly six decades after a lucky coin toss launched his career, the drummer behind two classic rock success stories is celebrating another birthday.
Simon Kirke turns 77 on July 28, marking his first birthday since Bad Company entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Kirke co-founded the beloved supergroup in 1973 and provided the steady, powerful backbeat behind songs such as "Can't Get Enough," "Feel Like Makin' Love" and "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy."
His path to arena stages began in the English countryside, where music offered an escape from an otherwise isolated childhood. Kirke recalled listening to blues, R&B and rock 'n' roll on a small transistor radio before playing drums alongside records at dances run by his school bus driver. The unusual job gave the young musician an early lesson in keeping time.
At 17, Kirke persuaded his parents to give him two years to find work as a musician in London. With that deadline approaching, he flipped a coin to decide whether to make a long trip to see Black Cat Bones. He went, met guitarist Paul Kossoff and soon joined the group. Kirke and Kossoff later formed Free with Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser, eventually scoring an international hit with "All Right Now."
After Free ended, Kirke reunited with Rodgers and joined former Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and former King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell to form Bad Company. The musicians' backgrounds made the new act a true supergroup, but its success quickly surpassed their previous bands in the United States.
Bad Company's 1974 self-titled debut reached No. 1 and went five-times platinum, while its follow-up, Straight Shooter, produced "Shooting Star" and "Feel Like Makin' Love." Kirke also contributed as a songwriter, co-writing "Bad Company" with Rodgers and penning songs including "Weep No More."
"We had no idea how well the album was selling," Kirke once said of receiving Bad Company's first gold records. "We were all in tears. We hit that stage flying. We were levitating with happiness."
Bad Company was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025. Kirke represented the group at the ceremony following Ralphs' death and Rodgers' withdrawal over health concerns.
He has remained active since receiving the honor, appearing as a headlining guest at Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp in April 2026. As Kirke turns 77, his work with Free and Bad Company continues to place his unmistakable backbeat at the center of classic rock history.
Related: '70s Rocker and Member of Misunderstood Rock Band Turns 71
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