Something of a British Hard Rock supergroup, THE FIRM comprised ex-LED ZEPPELIN guitarist JIMMY PAGE and former FREE and BAD COMPANY vocalist PAUL RODGERS. Joining this illustrious duo came the rhythm section of drummer Chris Slade and bassist TONY FRANKLIN. Whilst the former had been involved with both MANFRED MANN and URIAH HEEP, and had been working with PINK FLOYD guitarist DAVE GILMOUR prior to joining THE FIRM, the latter was previously a member of the more obscure TALL STORY.

The band was borne out of Page and Rodgers liaison during the ARMS benefit concerts in America during 1984. Initial rehearsals, under the band name THE MACGREGORS, utilized the services of DAMNED drummer Rat Scabies and ex-YES man Bill Bruford whilst the band waited for Slade to finish the David Gilmour project. Indeed, Page's first choice to occupy the bass position was Pino Palladino but he had to decline due to existing tour commitments with PAUL YOUNG.

Page undertook a series of dates as part of the ALEXIS KORNER benefit gigs with old colleague ROY HARPER before THE FIRM debuted in Scandinavia during late 1984 then performing a short burst of sold out British shows. The band's shows at London's Hammersmith Odeon were filmed and broadcast on MTV in America as a taster for dates there. A tour of America was guaranteed a friendly reception purely based on the reputations of the two elder statesmen of the band. Crowd reactions were enthusiastic for a show that relied on songs from the band's first album alongside Rodger's solo numbers and material culled from Page's 'Deathwish II' soundtrack album.

American shows were followed by a further batch of British dates. Page then put in an impromptu guest appearance with the BEACH BOYS at their Washington DC gig before the much anticipated LED ZEPPELIN reunion for the 'Live Aid' extravaganza. Page turned up for a guest slot at a ROBERT PLANT gig in America later the same month further fuelling rumours of a full blown LED ZEPPELIN reunion.

The guitarist also put in a showing in August as part of the 'Sunpower' festival in Spain playing in a band comprising of YES bassist Chris Squire, Jason Bonham on drums and vocalist Mick Thompson. 1985 was rounded off by a gig to just 150 people in a charity fund raising event with ex STATUS QUO drummer John Coghlan, WISHBONE ASH's Andy Powell, BAD COMPANY's MICK RALPHS and WHITESNAKE's MICKY MOODY.

1986 had Page fully focused back onto THE FIRM and it's second album 'Mean Business'. Initial American dates had Jason Bonham's VIRGINIA WOLF as support. THE FIRM played their last show in Seattle at the close of April.

The two albums were generally acknowledged to be mediocre affairs that did little to rekindle past glories and the band would split after the tour commitments. Page and Rodgers have both gone on to enjoy further high profile projects. The guitarist issued a further solo album 'Outrider' before a union with WHITESNAKE and DEEP PURPLE vocalist DAVID COVERDALE in COVERDALE/PAGE. Latterly the man has more credibly reunited with ROBERT PLANT in PAGE/PLANT.

Rodgers issued further solo albums and settled his differences with his erstwhile BAD COMPANY colleagues for a 1999 reunion. Tony Franklin joined BLUE MURDER in 1989 and was a part of the WHITESNAKE touring line-up in 1997. The bassist issued a solo album in 2000. Chris Slade joined AC/DC in 1990 and enjoyed a very successful stint with the group until the return of the band's original drummer Phil Rudd in the mid 90s.

2004 found PAUL RODGERS in another high profile union as he joined forces with the BRIAN MAY and ROGER TAYLOR of QUEEN in an act billed simply QUEEN & PAUL RODGERS. During late 2005 it was revealed Slade was involved with 100 PROOF, a band which comprised the internationally known cast comprising Stacey Blades from L.A. GUNS on guitar, Mike Duda of W.A.S.P. on bass and the veteran figure of the L.A. GUNS, LOVE/HATE and RATT credited JIZZY PEARL on vocals.