Radioactive

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin "Radioactive" by The Firm, a track from their self-titled debut album that’s pure 80s rock magic. This song, written by the legendary Paul Rodgers, is a compact banger with Tony Franklin’s fretless bass hook kicking things off, Jimmy Page’s guitar scratches adding that gritty edge, and Rodgers’ reverbed vocals soaring over Chris Slade’s steady drumbeat. Fun fact: the guitar solo that gives this tune its wild energy? That’s actually Paul Rodgers, not Jimmy Page, shredding a jazz exercise he learned, which he revealed in interviews found on corporateartists.com. Rodgers called the song a “five-minute write,” proving sometimes the best jams come straight from the soul. The track hit #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Top Rock Tracks chart for a week, showing its crossover power.

The music video for "Radioactive," filmed in October 1984, was a big deal for Jimmy Page, who hadn’t done a proper single or video since his Led Zeppelin days. Directed by Mike Brady and Peter Christopherson, it shows Rodgers rocking guitar and vocals on a smoky stage while Page wails on his iconic red doubleneck 1971 Gibson EDS-1275. MTV gave it heavy rotation in March 1985, boosting its vibe, though sales stayed modest. Live performances were a treat, with Chris Slade opening with a drum solo that flowed into Franklin’s bass line, and Page using his 1960s Fender Telecaster with a Parsons and White B-string bender, as noted on Songfacts. Fans on Rate Your Music rave about the 12-inch special mix, which includes live tracks like “City Sirens” and “Live in Peace” recorded at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in December 1984, giving it a raw, electric feel.

“Radioactive” also left its mark on rock history. Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament, a huge Tony Franklin fan, drew inspiration from Franklin’s slide bass for the classic “Even Flow,” as mentioned on Songfacts. The song’s modern edge and commercial polish made it a standout, though some fans on Reddit argue The Firm’s two albums deserve more love than their “one-hit wonder” label suggests. The Firm’s debut peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200 and #15 in the UK, solid numbers for a supergroup that, according to Rodgers in a Louder interview, was always meant to be a two-album project. Jimmy Page told Ultimate Classic Rock he loved Rodgers’ one-take vocal perfection, calling him “an amazing man.”

Now, let’s rewind to how The Firm came to be. Formed in 1984, this British rock supergroup brought together Paul Rodgers (vocals, guitar) from Free and Bad Company, Jimmy Page (guitar) from Led Zeppelin, Chris Slade (drums) from Uriah Heep and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, and Tony Franklin (bass), a fretless bass wizard. Page and Rodgers were both at crossroads after their bands—Led Zeppelin and Bad Company—dissolved. As Rodgers shared in a Ultimate Classic Rock interview, Page visited his home studio, and they started writing without a clear plan. Page was itching to hit the road, so they assembled the band, with Slade suggesting the name “The Firm,” a nod to Rodgers’ Bad Company roots, as noted by manager Peter Epps. They aimed for a soulful, accessible sound, avoiding old material from their past bands, though their track “Midnight Moonlight” reworked an unreleased Led Zeppelin piece called “Swan Song.”

The Firm released two albums, The Firm (1985) and Mean Business (1986), with hits like “Satisfaction Guaranteed” and “All the King’s Horses” alongside “Radioactive.” Despite sellout tours, album sales were modest, and the band called it quits after their 1986 U.S. tour. Page later said he wanted to explore new ideas, while Rodgers felt the project had run its course, leaving the door open for a possible reunion that never happened. Slade joined AC/DC, Franklin played with Whitesnake, and Page and Rodgers continued their solo careers, cementing their legacies.

For more on The Firm, check out their official pages through the members’ sites: Paul Rodgers’ official website, Jimmy Page’s official website, and Tony Franklin’s official website. Connect with them on social media via Paul Rodgers’ Facebook, Paul Rodgers’ Instagram, Paul Rodgers’ X, Jimmy Page’s Facebook, Jimmy Page’s Instagram, Jimmy Page’s X, Tony Franklin’s Facebook, Tony Franklin’s Instagram, and Tony Franklin’s X. Chris Slade’s socials are less active, but you can find updates on his Facebook. Fan communities thrive on The Firm Fan Group on Facebook and Reddit’s ClassicRock community, where Zoo Freaks can geek out over The Firm’s legacy. Keep it groovy, and stay radioactive!