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. Also in 2003, Gates came sixth in the Channel 4 poll of the 100 Worst Britons. In subsequent press interviews, Page had indicated that the band was never meant to last more than two albums. This was also a new entry at number one, and stayed there for two weeks. 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. With the The Kumars, Gates sang the 2003 Comic Relief charity single, "Spirit in the Sky", another cover of an old song. 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. The single was voted 2002's Record of the Year by ITV viewers.

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. (Cowell had been one of the Pop Idol judges, and had been notorious for his harsh criticisms of many of the contestants.) His first single, a cover of "Unchained Melody", entered the UK Top 40 at number one, knocking Will Young's first single - the double A-sided "Evergreen"/"Anything is Possible" - off the top of the chart (as Young's single was intended for the winner of Pop Idol Gates also recorded versions of both songs, which were used as B-sides for "Unchained Melody"). 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. Despite not winning the competition, he was soon signed up with Simon Cowell's record label BMG, alongside the Pop Idol winner, Will Young. United States (March 14, 1985 - May 28, 1985). Gareth Paul Gates (born July 12, 1984, Bradford) is a British pop singer who shot to fame in 2002 when he came second in the television talent show Pop Idol. United Kingdom (May 18, 1985 - May 22, 1985).

United States (February 28, 1985 - May 11, 1985). Europe (November 29, 1984 - December 9, 1984). Five From the Firm (1986). The Firm Live at Hammersmith 1984 (1984) (limited release video).

Mean Business (1986). The Firm (1985). Chris Slade -- Drums and percussion. Tony Franklin -- Bass, keyboards.

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