Latest news with #MickRalphs
News.com.au
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
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.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mick Ralphs death: Bad Company and Mott the Hoople guitarist dies aged 81
Mick Ralphs, the guitarist who was one of the founding members of Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, has died. He was 81. The British musician played on a number of classic songs, including Mott the Hoople's David Bowie-produced breakthrough single 'All the Young Dudes' in 1972 and Bad Company's 1974 hit 'Can't Get Enough.' His death was announced in a statement on the Bad Company website. No cause of death was given. The band's singer, Paul 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 Simon Kirke added: 'He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.' Ralphs was born in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, on March 31, 1944. He started his career while still a teenager, first playing with blues rock band the Buddies. In 1966, he was a founding member of the Doc Thomas Group, who later changed their name to Mott the Hoople. The band struggled commercially in their early years before making a breakthrough with their fifth album, the Bowie-produced All the Young Dudes in 1972. Ralphs quit the band shortly afterwards to form the supergroup Bad Company with Free singer Rodgers. They added former King Crimson bassist/vocalist Boz Burrell and drummer Simon Kirke, and became the first band signed to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label. Their 1974 self-titled debut went five times platinum, producing hits including 'Can't Get Enough,' which Ralphs co-wrote, and 'Movin' On.' After the band initially split in 1982, Ralphs toured with Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour and released the 1985 solo album Take This. Bad Company reformed in 1986 and 1998. The band are set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year. Ralphs played his final show with Bad Company on October 29, 2016, at London's O2 Arena. Just days later, he suffered a debilitating stroke and remained bedridden until his passing. Ralphs is survived by his partner Susie Chavasse, his two children and three step-children.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Mick Ralphs, founding member of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, dies at 81
Mick Ralphs, a guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of the classic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died. A statement posted to Bad Company's official website Monday announced Ralphs' death at age 81. Ralphs had a stroke days after what would be his final performance with the band 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. Advertisement 4 Mick Ralphs of Bad Co. performs at DTE Energy Music Theater on July 25, 2014 in Clarkston, Michigan. Getty Images Ralphs is set to become a member of the Rock & 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. Advertisement '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 the 1970's song '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 classic '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. In 1969, the band would become Mott the Hoople, a name taken from the title and title character of a 1966 novel by Willard Manus. 4 Boz Burrell, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke of the rock band 'Bad Company' pose for a portrait in circa 1973. Michael Ochs Archives Advertisement The group's self-titled first album, recorded in a week, won a cult following, but the two that followed were critical and financial flops. They finally found popular success and became glam-rock giants with the 1972 David Bowie-penned and produced song 'All the Young Dudes.' But Ralphs felt creatively cramped in the band led by singer-songwriter Ian Hunter and left in 1973. He would soon form Bad Company with Rodgers, a singer who had left his own band, Free. The two had intended only to write songs together, and possibly to make a one-off album as a project. But when Free drummer Simon Kirke asked to sit in, they realized they were nearly a proper group already and went seeking a bassist. They found him in former King Crimson member Boz Burrell. 'We didn't actually plan to have a band,' Ralphs said in a 2015 interview with Gibson Guitars. 'It was all kind of accidental I suppose. Lucky, really.' Advertisement 4 Mick Ralphs of Mott The Hoople performs at Island Records' Basing Street Studios in London on Aug. 10, 1971. Redferns Kirke said in a statement Monday that Ralphs was 'a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.' Bad Company found immediate success. its albums were full of radio-ready anthems, and its live sound was perfectly suited to the 1970s height of arena rock. Their self-titled debut album went to No. 1 on Billboard's album chart. And Ralphs' 'Can't Get Enough' — often mistakenly called 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love' because of its chorus lyrics — would be their biggest hit single, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. 4 Ralphs wrote the 1970's song '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 classic 'Feel Like Makin' Love' with Rodgers. Getty Images 'We actually did the whole thing in one take live,' Ralphs said in the Gibson interview. 'It wasn't perfect, but we just said, 'Yeah, that's great, it's going to capture the moment.' That's what I like to do in recording. It doesn't have to be perfect as long as it captures the moment. That's what it's all about.' Bad Company's 1975 follow-up, 'Straight Shooter,' was also a hit, going to No. 3 on album charts in both the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and the UK Albums Chart. Its opening track, 'Good Lovin' Gone Bad,' written by Ralphs, was a modest hit, and the song that followed it, 'Feel Like Makin' Love,' was a big one that would remain in rotation on classic rock radio for decades. Advertisement The band's statement says Ralphs is survived by 'the love of his life,' his wife Susie Chavasse, along with two children, three step-children and 'beloved bandmates' Rodgers and Kirke. 'Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh,' Rodgers said. 'But it won't be our last.'
CNN
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Mick Ralphs, founding member of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, dies at 81
Mick Ralphs, a guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of the classic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died. A statement posted to Bad Company's official website Monday announced Ralphs' death at age 81. Ralphs had a stroke days after what would be his final performance with the band 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 & 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 the 1970's song '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 classic '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. In 1969, the band would become Mott the Hoople, a name taken from the title and title character of a 1966 novel by Willard Manus. The group's self-titled first album, recorded in a week, won a cult following, but the two that followed were critical and financial flops. They finally found popular success and became glam-rock giants with the 1972 David Bowie-penned-and-produced song 'All the Young Dudes.' But Ralphs felt creatively cramped in the band led by singer-songwriter Ian Hunter and left in 1973. He would soon form Bad Company with Rodgers, a singer who had left his own band, Free. The two had intended only to write songs together, and possibly to make a one-off album as a project. But when Free drummer Simon Kirke asked to sit in, they realized they were nearly a proper group already and went seeking a bassist. They found him in former King Crimson member Boz Burrell. 'We didn't actually plan to have a band,' Ralphs said in a 2015 interview with Gibson Guitars. 'It was all kind of accidental I suppose. Lucky, really.' Kirke said in a statement Monday that Ralphs was 'a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.' Bad Company found immediate success. Its albums were full of radio-ready anthems, and its live sound was perfectly suited to the 1970s height of arena rock. Their self-titled debut album went to No. 1 on Billboard's album chart. And Ralphs' 'Can't Get Enough' — often mistakenly called 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love' because of its chorus lyrics — would be their biggest hit single, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'We actually did the whole thing in one take live,' Ralphs said in the Gibson interview. 'It wasn't perfect, but we just said, 'Yeah, that's great, it's going to capture the moment.' That's what I like to do in recording. It doesn't have to be perfect as long as it captures the moment. That's what it's all about.' Bad Company's 1975 follow-up, 'Straight Shooter,' was also a hit, going to No. 3 on album charts in both the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and the UK Albums Chart. Its opening track, 'Good Lovin' Gone Bad,' written by Ralphs, was a modest hit, and the song that followed it, 'Feel Like Makin' Love,' was a big one that would remain in rotation on classic rock radio for decades. The band's statement says Ralphs is survived by 'the love of his life,' his wife Susie Chavasse, along with two children, three step-children and 'beloved bandmates' Rodgers and Kirke. 'Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh,' Rodgers said. 'But it won't be our last.'
CNN
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Mick Ralphs, founding member of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, dies at 81
Mick Ralphs, a guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of the classic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died. A statement posted to Bad Company's official website Monday announced Ralphs' death at age 81. Ralphs had a stroke days after what would be his final performance with the band 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 & 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 the 1970's song '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 classic '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. In 1969, the band would become Mott the Hoople, a name taken from the title and title character of a 1966 novel by Willard Manus. The group's self-titled first album, recorded in a week, won a cult following, but the two that followed were critical and financial flops. They finally found popular success and became glam-rock giants with the 1972 David Bowie-penned-and-produced song 'All the Young Dudes.' But Ralphs felt creatively cramped in the band led by singer-songwriter Ian Hunter and left in 1973. He would soon form Bad Company with Rodgers, a singer who had left his own band, Free. The two had intended only to write songs together, and possibly to make a one-off album as a project. But when Free drummer Simon Kirke asked to sit in, they realized they were nearly a proper group already and went seeking a bassist. They found him in former King Crimson member Boz Burrell. 'We didn't actually plan to have a band,' Ralphs said in a 2015 interview with Gibson Guitars. 'It was all kind of accidental I suppose. Lucky, really.' Kirke said in a statement Monday that Ralphs was 'a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.' Bad Company found immediate success. Its albums were full of radio-ready anthems, and its live sound was perfectly suited to the 1970s height of arena rock. Their self-titled debut album went to No. 1 on Billboard's album chart. And Ralphs' 'Can't Get Enough' — often mistakenly called 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love' because of its chorus lyrics — would be their biggest hit single, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'We actually did the whole thing in one take live,' Ralphs said in the Gibson interview. 'It wasn't perfect, but we just said, 'Yeah, that's great, it's going to capture the moment.' That's what I like to do in recording. It doesn't have to be perfect as long as it captures the moment. That's what it's all about.' Bad Company's 1975 follow-up, 'Straight Shooter,' was also a hit, going to No. 3 on album charts in both the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and the UK Albums Chart. Its opening track, 'Good Lovin' Gone Bad,' written by Ralphs, was a modest hit, and the song that followed it, 'Feel Like Makin' Love,' was a big one that would remain in rotation on classic rock radio for decades. The band's statement says Ralphs is survived by 'the love of his life,' his wife Susie Chavasse, along with two children, three step-children and 'beloved bandmates' Rodgers and Kirke. 'Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh,' Rodgers said. 'But it won't be our last.'
