"Rough Diamonds" is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Bad Company, released in August 1982. Recorded at Ridge Farm Studio in Surrey, England, in March and April 1981, the album was engineered by Max Norman, known for his work with artists like Ozzy Osbourne.
The album is notable as the last studio album to feature Bad Company's original lineup and the final album with lead vocalist Paul Rodgers before the band disbanded. The recording sessions were tumultuous, marked by internal conflicts. Notably, a fistfight erupted between Paul Rodgers and Boz Burrell during one session, highlighting the strained dynamics within the band.
Despite the challenges during production, "Rough Diamonds" produced notable tracks such as "Electricland," written by Paul Rodgers, which became the album's biggest hit. Another track, "Painted Face," also received significant airplay on rock radio stations.
Commercially, however, "Rough Diamonds" did not perform as well as its predecessors, reaching only No. 26 on the Billboard album charts in 1982. This made it the original lineup's worst-selling album. Following its release and the subsequent disbandment of Bad Company, Paul Rodgers pursued a solo career, releasing his debut solo album "Cut Loose" in 1983.
In later years, "Rough Diamonds" was remastered and re-released in 1994, offering fans a chance to revisit and reassess the album within the context of Bad Company's discography.
