Bad Company and Mott The Hoople star Mick Ralphs dead at 81
The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter had been in bad health since suffering a stroke in 2016.
However, no cause of death has been given at this time.
Mick's Bad Company bandmates Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke have led tributes to the late musician, writing on social media: 'Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground. He has left us with exceptional songs and memories. He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an amazing and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humor. Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh but it won't be our last. There are many memories of Mick that will create laughter. Condolences to everyone who loved him especially his one true love, Susie. I will see you in heaven.'
Kirke added: 'He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.'
He is survived by "the love of his life", Susie Chavasse, his two children and three step-children.
In 2016, Bad Company announced a US tour with Joe Walsh. Despite initially not planning to join the tour, with Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes announced to be standing in for him, Mick rejoined the band to finish the tour.
However, after the trek wrapped in London, reports emerged that he had been hospitalised after a stroke.
His bandmates Howard Leese and Paul Rodgers continued to perform his parts in the band.
Prior to Bad Company, after several name changes, he formed Mott the Hoople in 1969.
The group had a commercial breakthrough with the David Bowie-produced All the Young Dudes in 1972.
Bowie had initially offered the group his hit Suffragette City but they rejected it and stated they had split up.
By 1973, Mick departed the band following their Top 10 LP Mott.
Bad Company's debut album was released a year later, in 1974, and featured the hit Can't Get Enough, penned by Mick.
In the '80s, Mick toured with Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour on his About Face tour.
He would release his debut solo album in 1985, Take This, which included Free's and Bad Company's drummer Simon Kirke.
Bad Company reformed with varying lineups between 1986 and 1998. The original lineup toured in 1999, but after the jaunt, Mick announced he would no longer tour due to a fear of flying.
He would go on to release his second solo album, It's All Good, in 2001, and a third, That's Life, in 2003.
A year later, he reunited with his former Bad Company bandmate, Ian Hunter, to play guitar on his UK tour.
In 2013 and 2014, Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd embarked on a joint tour of North America.
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Bad Company and Mott The Hoople star Mick Ralphs dead at 81
Bad Company and Mott The Hoople founding member Mick Ralphs has died aged 81. The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter had been in bad health since suffering a stroke in 2016. However, no cause of death has been given at this time. Mick's Bad Company bandmates Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke have led tributes to the late musician, writing on social media: 'Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground. He has left us with exceptional songs and memories. He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an amazing and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humor. Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh but it won't be our last. There are many memories of Mick that will create laughter. Condolences to everyone who loved him especially his one true love, Susie. I will see you in heaven.' Kirke added: 'He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.' He is survived by "the love of his life", Susie Chavasse, his two children and three step-children. In 2016, Bad Company announced a US tour with Joe Walsh. Despite initially not planning to join the tour, with Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes announced to be standing in for him, Mick rejoined the band to finish the tour. However, after the trek wrapped in London, reports emerged that he had been hospitalised after a stroke. His bandmates Howard Leese and Paul Rodgers continued to perform his parts in the band. Prior to Bad Company, after several name changes, he formed Mott the Hoople in 1969. The group had a commercial breakthrough with the David Bowie-produced All the Young Dudes in 1972. Bowie had initially offered the group his hit Suffragette City but they rejected it and stated they had split up. By 1973, Mick departed the band following their Top 10 LP Mott. Bad Company's debut album was released a year later, in 1974, and featured the hit Can't Get Enough, penned by Mick. In the '80s, Mick toured with Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour on his About Face tour. He would release his debut solo album in 1985, Take This, which included Free's and Bad Company's drummer Simon Kirke. Bad Company reformed with varying lineups between 1986 and 1998. The original lineup toured in 1999, but after the jaunt, Mick announced he would no longer tour due to a fear of flying. He would go on to release his second solo album, It's All Good, in 2001, and a third, That's Life, in 2003. A year later, he reunited with his former Bad Company bandmate, Ian Hunter, to play guitar on his UK tour. In 2013 and 2014, Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd embarked on a joint tour of North America.
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Legendary 70s guitarist and Bad Company co-founder Mick Ralphs dies aged 81
British rock legend Mick Ralphs, who co-founded the band Bad Company, has died aged 81. A message on the band's official website on Monday said Ralphs is 'survived by the love of his life, Susie Chavasse, his two children, three stepchildren', as well as his bandmates Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke. Bad Company was formed in 1973 after members from bands Free, Mott the Hoople and King Crimson all joined forces. In an emotional statement, singer Rodgers said: 'Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground. He has left us with exceptional songs and memories. 'He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an amazing and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humour. 'Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh but it won't be our last. There are many memories of Mick that will create laughter. 'Condolences to everyone who loved him, especially his one true love, Susie. I will see you in heaven.' Drummer Kirke added: 'He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.' Ralphs performed for the final time with Bad Company in October 2016, with the singer-songwriter suffering a stroke the following month. The stroke had left him bedridden ever since, the band confirmed, although they said they had no further details on the circumstances of Ralphs' death. Tributes poured in from across the rock music world, including from Joe Elliott, lead singer of the hard rock band Def Leppard, who shared a post on the group's X account saying: 'I just heard the heartbroken. 'Mick has been a constant companion through my musical journey & he was one of the kindest souls I ever met. The world is a poorer place today.' David Coverdale, lead singer of Deep Purple and then Whitesnake, said on X: 'Heartbreaking Mick … Sweet, Sweet Man & Super Sincere Condolences To His Family, Friends & Fans.' In another post, he added: 'Mick Ralphs was the first person I played the original song idea to Love Ain't No Stranger before I played it to the was super encouraging...A total sweetheart.' Legendary rocker Ralphs had been a member of Mott the Hoople before joining Bad Company, writing the former's 1970 hit Ready for Love. The song was later revamped for Bad Company's 1974 eponymous debut album. Another track on the album was the Ralphs-penned hit Can't Get Enough. Beyond these songs, Ralphs also co-wrote Bad Company's 1975 hit Feel Like Makin' Love alongside bandmate Rodgers. Ralphs was born in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, on March 31, 1944, later learning blues guitar as a teenager. In his early 20s in 1966, he co-founded the Doc Thomas Group, which would eventually become Mott the Hoople in 1969.
