Brian Howe (singer)
With a powerful, blues-soaked voice, he stepped into the giant shadow of Paul Rodgers and led Bad Company through its commercially successful late-80s rebirth.
1953–2020 (age 67)·English singer·Birthday: July 22·Baby Boomers
Biography
Brian Howe's journey in rock was one of unexpected second acts. The English singer paid his dues in the 1970s with bands like Trickster before catching a break when the volatile Ted Nugent hired him for the 'Penetrator' album and tour. That gig proved his mettle, showcasing a voice that blended smooth melody with a gritty, soulful edge. In 1986, he faced the daunting task of replacing the revered Paul Rodgers as frontman for Bad Company. Rather than imitate, Howe helped steer the band toward a slicker, radio-friendly hard rock sound that resonated with the era. Albums like 'Holy Water' and 'Here Comes Trouble' spawned hits like 'If You Needed Somebody' and revitalized the band's chart presence throughout the late 80s and early 90s. Though his tenure was sometimes overshadowed by the legacy of the original lineup, Howe's contribution was vital; he kept the band alive and relevant for a new generation of fans before pursuing a solo career.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Brian was born in 1953, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1953
#1 Movie
Peter Pan
Best Picture
From Here to Eternity
#1 TV Show
I Love Lucy
Brian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1953Born
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1958Started school
NASA founded
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Volare" — Domenico ModugnoBest Picture: Gigi
1966Became a teenager
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1969Could drive
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1971Could vote
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1974Turned 21
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1983Turned 30
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1993Turned 40
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2003Turned 50
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2013Turned 60
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2020Died at 67
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
Key Achievements
- As lead vocalist, helped Bad Company achieve multi-platinum success with the 1990 album 'Holy Water,' which spawned several rock radio hits.
- Co-wrote the hit singles 'If You Needed Somebody' and 'How About That' for Bad Company.
- Fronted Ted Nugent's band for the 1984 album 'Penetrator' and its subsequent world tour, raising his profile significantly.
- Released several solo albums in the 1990s and 2000s, including 'Tangled in Blue' and 'Circus Bar.'
Did You Know?
Before joining Bad Company, he was in a band called Trickster with future Asia guitarist Mandy Meyer.
He was a trained nurse before committing to music full-time.
He underwent heart surgery in ���2017.
He was known for his distinctive, clean-shaven head and goatee look during his time with Bad Company.
“A voice is just an instrument; the song is what you have to serve.”
