British rock star dead: 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 step-children", as well as his bandmates Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke.
3
3
Bad Company 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.
More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
3
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
34 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.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
300-year-old painting in the Uffizi damaged after visitor trips while trying to ‘make a meme'
A 300-year-old painting in Florence's Uffizi Gallery has allegedly been damaged after a visitor tripped while posing for a photo with the artwork. The Uffizi said the painting, a portrait of Tuscan prince Ferdinando de' Medici painted by Anton Domenico Gabbiani in 1712, was damaged after a visitor fell backwards while attempting to 'make a meme' in front of it. Security camera footage circulated by Italian media over the weekend showed a visitor leaning back and falling into the painting, with a closeup revealing a tear in the canvas. The Uffizi told the BBC that the individual had been identified by the police and reported to judicial authorities. Sign up for our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning The painting has been removed for repair, and the exhibition it was part of – featuring about 150 18th century masterpieces by artists including Goya, Tiepolo and Canaletto – has been closed until 2 July, after which it is expected to reopen with the painting back on display. The museum's director, Simone Verde, said in a statement: 'The problem of visitors coming to museums to make memes or take selfies for social media is rampant.' He said the Uffizi was considering imposing restrictions on visitor behaviour: 'We will set very precise limits, preventing behaviour that is not compatible with the sense of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage.' In a similar incident earlier this month, tourists damaged an artwork at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona while attempting to pose for a photo with it. The artwork – a crystal-encrusted chair by artist Nicola Bolla – 'shattered before their eyes', the museum said in a statement. 'It would be ridiculous – if it hadn't actually happened. A museum's worst nightmare,' the museum's director, Vanessa Carlon, said at the time. 'Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don't think about the consequences.'
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Passalacqua review: this Lake Como hotel is Italy at its most glamorous
You will quickly run out of superlatives at this lakefront 18th-century villa in Moltrasio where the composer Vincenzo Bellini wrote La Sonnambula. Its public rooms could grace a Fellini film set, complete with meticulously renovated stucco work, Murano chandeliers, antique and bespoke furniture and intriguing artworks. Beguiling views over the lake are available from the hotel and its lush seven acres of gardens. Food is by Viviana Varese, the Nigella Lawson of Italy, the colour-burst pool bar pavilion has been decorated by in-demand designer JJ Martin and the 24 bedrooms manage the delicate balancing act between being luxurious and yet relaxing. Service is, as you'd imagine, charming throughout. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 10/10The prize rooms are the dozen in the villa. The eight found in the former stables are smaller but no less charming, and if you appreciate greater privacy or are travelling as a family the four rooms in a cottage — set within its own garden — can be hired for exclusive use. The owner Valentina De Santis is an internationally respected hotelier and since opening in 2022 Passalacqua has topped many world's best hotel lists. All the rooms are layered with brag-worthy, 'blow-the-budget' touches that embrace tradition and modernity. There are 'secret' minibars in bespoke etched-glass cabinets inspired by 18th-century designs and containing tasty treats freshly made by the kitchen. There are pin cushions, embroidered with the hotel's three fishes logo, complete with threaded needles in a range of colours as well as three top-of-the-range Dyson hair appliances in every marble-clad bathroom. Televisions are hidden in end-of-the-bed ottomans inspired by vintage steamer trunks so that they don't jar with the room's hand-painted wooden tables and gilded mirrors. Score 9/10 Viviana Verese's signature alta cucina di casa style (translated as refined home cooking) is the perfect foil to the villa's OTT interiors. The size of the hotel allows for flexibility over dining arrangements and guests can choose to eat under the frescoes of the trio of restaurant rooms, in the old-school bar, the pool bar, or by candlelight on the terrace. Dishes are simple with a focus on seasonal ingredients and so expertly executed that a humble garden salad becomes a work of art. The lake fish with vegetables is a local speciality and handled so cleverly here that its flavours are sensational. Save space for the handmade chocolates that end each meal and then pray you're hungry again by breakfast. It's one of the most theatrical available anywhere in the world, with a buffet of tempting fresh fruits, pungent cheeses, cured meats and indecently plump smoked salmon, with a white-hatted chef ready to make eggs any way, while a multi-tiered, fully loaded cake stand of cream- and custard-filled delights will be deposited by your table too. • Best Italian cities for food• Best villas in Italy with a pool Score 9/10The spa in the former stables has first-rate treatments by the Italian organic skincare range Seed to Skin. There is also a small but atmospheric thermal sauna and steam suite in a vaulted stone chamber in the 18th-century tunnels underneath the garden. A dimly lit passage leads to a spectacular indoor lap pool in a conservatory-style space that overlooks the lawns. The terraced gardens that tumble down to the waterfront are sublime with various activities on each tier including an outdoor swimming pool, a bocce court, a kitchen garden and a gym in a greenhouse. There are regular yoga and fitness classes as well as complimentary gelato-making workshops, mixology tutorials and flower-arranging lessons. Score 9/10Moltrasio is an unassuming village, with a great market and a steep hillside for soulful hikes. Como is a 30-minute drive south, and Bellagio is about 45 minutes by car to the north, although both are best reached by boat. Price B&B doubles from £936Restaurant mains from £45Family-friendly YAccessible N Susan d'Arcy was a guest of Passalacqua ( • Lake Como v Lake Garda: which one should you visit?• Best places to visit in Italy
