Mick Ralphs, founding member of Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, dies aged 81
Mick Ralphs, singer, songwriter, guitarist and founding member of the classic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died aged 81.
A statement posted to the band's official website on Monday announced Ralphs' death. Ralphs had a stroke days after what would be his final performance with Bad Company at London's O2 Arena in 2016, and had been bedridden ever since, the statement said. No further details on the circumstances of his death were provided.
Ralphs is set to become a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Bad Company in November.
'Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground,' Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers said in a statement. '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.'
Ralphs wrote 1970's Ready for Love for Mott the Hoople, later revamped for Bad Company's 1974 debut album, which also included the Ralphs-penned hit Can't Get Enough. He co-wrote Bad Company's 1975 Feel Like Makin' Love with Rodgers.
Born in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, England, Ralphs began playing blues guitar as a teenager, and in his early 20s in 1966, he co-founded the Doc Thomas Group. The band would become Mott the Hoople in 1969. He left the group in 1973, soon after it found commercial success with the David Bowie-penned-and-produced All the Young Dudes.
He would form Bad Company with singer Rodgers, who had left his own band, Free. They would be joined by Free drummer Simon Kirke and former King Crimson bassist and vocalist Boz Burrell.
Kirke said in a statement Monday that Ralphs was 'a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
26 minutes ago
- BBC News
Jessie J breast cancer: singer undergoes surgery after diagnosis
Singer Jessie J says she has undergone surgery for breast cancer and is now resting at home while awaiting her a social media post, the 37-year-old star thanked her doctor, surgeon and "all the nurses who cared for me", sharing series of photos and videos of her time in described the post as the "honest lows and highs of the last 48 hours" and promised to "always show the good and hard bits of any journey I go through".The Essex singer revealed her early breast cancer diagnosis at the beginning of June and received widespread support from fellow colleagues for sharing her experience. She said at the time she would be having the surgery after her performance at Capital's Summertime Ball, a mini-festival at London's Wembley Stadium held on 15 her post on Monday night, Jessie J shared pictures of her partner Chanan Safir Colman and their son visiting her in of the videos included was a clip of her singing in a hospital bed waiting to go into video showed her post-surgery holding up a bottle of blood drained from her breasts which she joked was a "goji berry smoothie". The pop star said she was "grateful" for everyone who helped her during the treatment process and gave encouragement to others facing difficult circumstances."Still hugging everyone going through something tough right now. We all got this!" she and industry colleagues have already responded with well wishes and messages of presenter Gaby Roslin replied in the comments: "Sending you strength, energy and so much love you beautiful soul.""I know Sky will be keeping you smiling and giving you strength... You're an absolute warrior," singer Marvin Hume she revealed her diagnosis earlier this month, Jessie J said she wanted to go public with the news in order to help process it and show solidarity with others going through a similar ordeal.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Bad Company's Mick Ralphs dies aged 81
A message on the band's official website said Ralphs is 'survived by the love of his life, Susie Chavasse, his two children, three step-children', as well as his bandmates Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke. Bad Company was formed in 1973 after the members of the bands Free, Mott The Hoople and King Crimson joined forces. A statement from singer Rodgers on the website 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.' A post shared by Bad Company (@officialbadco) Drummer Kirke said: 'He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.' Ralphs' final performance with Bad Company was in October 2016, with the musician suffering a stroke the following month. Free members Rodgers and Kirke had enjoyed success with their 1970s hit song All Right Now. Ralphs had been part of Mott The Hoople, famed for their 1972 song All The Young Dudes, which was penned by David Bowie. Vocalist and guitarist Raymond 'Boz' Burrell had been performing as part of rock band King Crimson. Bad Company are due to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year. The group rose to fame in 1974 with their self-titled debut album which included hits such as Can't Get Enough and Movin' On. The album reached number three in the UK albums chart and went five-times platinum. Bad Company later released Straight Shooter in 1975, followed by Run With The Pack, and both made it into the top five in the albums chart. They were also known for rock anthems including Ready For Love, Rock Steady and the title track Bad Company. Among those paying tribute to the late guitarist was 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 news … totally 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 News…Loved Mick …Sweet, Sweet Man & Super Songwriter…My 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 band…he was super encouraging…A total sweetheart.'
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Kate Atkinson: it's too late for me to read War and Peace
The Fortnight in September by RC Sherriff — a little gem of a novel from 1931 about a family taking their annual summer holiday. It's more of a character study than anything, because nothing really happens. In fact I found myself worrying that something would happen! An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump by Joseph Wright of Derby. I like my paintings to tell a story. In this one, which is in the National Gallery, a group of people have gathered to witness a demonstration of the necessity of oxygen. The oxygen has already been removed from the air-pump and the bird in question — a white cockatoo — looks to be on the point of expiring. The date is 1768, a cataclysmic period of change is coming and science is about to take over from God, and we are in a rather lovely drawing room watching a bird being suffocated.
