The Firm

After the band split, Page and Rodgers returned to solo work while Chris Slade joined AC/DC and Franklin teamed up with guitarist John Sykes in Blue Murder. In a 2000 episode of SNL, Ana Gasteyr in character as Martha Stewart proclaimed that she was cutting her ties as spokesperson for K-Mart because the chain had refused to stock the latest album by her "homie" Ghostface Killah. In subsequent press interviews, Page had indicated that the band was never meant to last more than two albums. Though Ghostface has had little mainstream success musically, he has managed to make something of an impression on mainstream pop culture, similarly to his groupmates ODB and Method Man. Both Page and Rodgers refused to play any material from their former bands and instead opted for a selection of songs from both their solo albums and new songs which were heavily infused with a soulful and more commercially accessible sound, courtesy of Franklin's fretless bass guitar underpinning and understated song structure. He also appeared on the track "On My Knees" by UK R&B group The 411 which became a hit in the UK and Australia, and released an album titled 718 with a group of his proteges, calling themselves The Theodore Unit. Page originally wanted former Yes drummer Bill Bruford and fretless bass virtuoso Pino Palladino in the group; however, Bruford was contracted to another label and Palladino had tour commitments with singer Paul Young. In April of 2004, The Pretty Toney Album was released on Def Jam; it featured collaborations with Missy Elliott and Jadakiss and was Ghostface's first album to be credited to "Ghostface" rather than "Ghostface Killah".

Formed in 1984, the band—although having a distinguished pedigree (and thus qualifying as a supergroup)—had only mediocre album sales, although they did have sellout tours. He had another minor club hit with "Flowers" which featured guest vocals from fellow Wu-Tang members Method Man and Raekwon. The Firm were a rock group comprising ex-Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, former Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers, ex-Uriah Heep drummer Chris Slade, and Roy Harper bass player Tony Franklin. Ghostface wasted little time in recording his next album, the heavily R&B-influenced Bulletproof Wallets which was released a year after Supreme Clientele. United States (March 14, 1985 - May 28, 1985). "Cherchez La Ghost", a single off the album, became a minor club hit, and the sentimental "Child's Play" brought Ghostface numerous comparisons with Slick Rick. United Kingdom (May 18, 1985 - May 22, 1985). His follow-up to Ironman was Supreme Clientele in 2000 (see 2000 in music), which was critically acclaimed by both mainstream critics and hip hop enthusiasts.

United States (February 28, 1985 - May 11, 1985). Ghostface became well-known for both his uptempo, seemingly indecipherable stream-of-consciousness raps and, later in his career, for his very emotionally charged delivery (first seen on the Wu-Tang Clan track "Impossible"). Europe (November 29, 1984 - December 9, 1984). His first solo LP was Iron Man in 1996 (see 1996 in music), which was successful in hip hop circles and debuted at #2 on the pop charts. Five From the Firm (1986). As a solo artist, he first appeared on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (with clan-mate Raekwon, 1995, see 1995 in music), then on the soundtracks to Sunset Park and Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood. The Firm Live at Hammersmith 1984 (1984) (limited release video). He also goes by the alias of Tony Starks, the real identity of super hero Iron Man.

Mean Business (1986). After the Wu-Tang achieved breakthrough commercial success in the early 1990s, Ghostface Killah, like most of his clan-mates, began a solo career. The Firm (1985). Ghostface Killah aka (born Dennis Coles) is an American rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Chris Slade -- Drums and percussion. Tony Franklin -- Bass, keyboards.

Paul Rodgers -- Vocals, guitar. Jimmy Page -- Lead guitar.