Latest news with #Ralphs'
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mick Ralphs death: Legendary guitarist of Bad Company dies aged 81, cause of death revealed
Mick Ralphs, the influential British guitarist and co-founder of the rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, has died at the age of 81. The band announced his death through a statement released on Instagram/ Ralphs had been confined to bed since suffering a stroke shortly after his final performance with Bad Company at London's O2 Arena in 2016. No further details surrounding his death have been made public. Born in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, Ralphs began playing blues guitar in his teens and launched his professional career in the 1960s. He was a founding member of the Doc Thomas Group, which evolved into Mott the Hoople in 1969. The band rose to prominence with the David Bowie-produced hit All the Young Dudes, before Ralphs departed in 1973. Soon after, he co-founded Bad Company alongside former Free frontman Paul Rodgers, drummer Simon Kirke, and bassist Boz Burrell. Their self-titled debut album in 1974 featured two of Ralphs' most enduring contributions: Can't Get Enough and a reworked version of Ready for Love, originally written for Mott the Hoople. He later co-wrote Feel Like Makin' Love with Rodgers in 1975. Ralphs is set to be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this November as a member of Bad Company. 'He has left us with exceptional songs and memories,' Rodgers said in a tribute shared following the news of Ralphs' passing. 'He was my friend, my songwriting partner, and an amazing, versatile guitarist with the greatest sense of humour.' Kirke also paid tribute, calling Ralphs 'a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.' Ralphs last performed publicly in 2016, but his legacy as a founding figure in two of Britain's most celebrated rock bands remains indelible. His work bridged blues and hard rock, and his melodic style became a defining feature of both Mott the Hoople and Bad Company.
Arab Times
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Mick Ralphs, founding member of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, dies at 81
LOS ANGELES, June 24, (AP): 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.'
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
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.'
NBC News
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
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.
Los Angeles Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Mick Ralphs, Bad Company and Mott the Hoople co-founder, dead at 81
Mick Ralphs, the guitarist and co-founder of stylish '70s rockers Mott the Hoople and the supergroup Bad Company, has died. He was 81. Ralphs' death was confirmed in a statement from his representative, though no exact date or cause of death was given. '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. 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.' Born in 1944 in Herefordshire, England, Ralphs co-founded the Doc Thomas Group in the mid-1960's, which signed to Island after some lineup changes and revamped as Mott the Hoople. Ralphs' songwriting and guitar work in that band helped move rock 'n' roll out of the psychedelic '60s and into the struts and arty pomp of '70s glam. The band's raucous live shows won a devoted following — future collaborator David Bowie and Mick Jones of the Clash were early fans — but chart success eluded them. At Bowie's behest, the group changed management and got a career jolt when he gifted them his song 'All The Young Dudes,' which made their 1972 LP of the same name a global hit. The band's follow-up, 'Mott,' was also a smash, sporting singles 'All the Way From Memphis' and 'Honaloochie Boogie.' Yet Ralphs had ambitions beyond the band, and departed in 1973 to join ex-Free members Rodgers and Simon Kirke and former King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell in a new supergroup. Bad Company became one of the first acts to sign with Zeppelin's Swan Song label, and immediately found global success. Its 1974 self-titled debut went five times platinum, on strength of hits like 'Can't Get Enough' and a retooled take of Ralphs' 'Ready for Love,' which he'd originally recorded with Mott the Hoople. A follow-up, 'Straight Shooter,' featured the classic rock staple 'Feel Like Makin' Love,' and Bad Company remained chart fixtures until breaking up in 1982. Ralphs joined Mott the Hoople for a reunion tour in 2009, and performed in several reunited incarnations of Bad Company and his own Mick Ralphs Blues Band until suffering a stroke in 2016, which confined him to bed in his final years. His last performance with Bad Company was in 2016, at London's O2 Arena. That group will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year. 'He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist,' said Bad Company drummer Kirke, in a statement. 'We will miss him deeply.' Ralphs is survived by partner Susie Chavasse, his two children and three step-children.
