Mick Ralphs, whose guitar playing colored the songs of British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died. He was 81.
Kymm Britton, a representative for Ralphs and Bad Company bandmates Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke, confirmed Ralphs’ death. No cause was provided.
“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,” Rodgers said in a statement. Kirke also expressed his love for “a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter and an exceptional guitarist.”
Ralphs performed his last show with Bad Company in 2016 at London’s O2 Arena and days later suffered a debilitating stroke. He remained bedridden until his death.
In his statement, Rodgers noted he spoke with Ralphs a few days before he died. “We shared a laugh, but it won’t be our last,” he said.
Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nov. 8 in Los Angeles.
Ralphs, a native of Herefordshire, England, co-founded glam rock outfit Mott the Hoople in 1969. The band’s name was borrowed from Willard Manus’ 1966 novel.
In addition to playing guitar, Ralphs was the lead singer on some of Mott the Hoople’s songs, including the 1970 album track “Thunderbuck Ram.”
His last appearance came on 1973’s “Mott” album, shortly after the band achieved its biggest commercial success with “All the Young Dudes,” an endearing anthem of the glam-rock era produced and written by David Bowie.
More: Bruce Springsteen is releasing his ‘Lost Albums’: The songs you haven’t heard but need to
Ralphs had met Rodgers, who fronted blues-rock group Free, in 1971. A jam session with the singer prompted him to depart Mott the Hoople and (with Rodgers) form Bad Company. The band also included Kirke and King Crimson bassist/singer Boz Burrell, who died in 2006.
Bad Company’s 1974 debut included the guitar-swinger “Can’t Get Enough,” written by Ralphs. He also took “Ready for Love” – which he penned for Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes” album – to Bad Company, which turned it into a signature song.
Ralphs stayed with Bad Company until the original band dissolved in 1982 after producing enduring rock hits “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and the eponymous “Bad Company.”
Ralphs rejoined the band several times during the past few decades to play live shows, including one 2008 concert in South Florida with Rodgers and Kirke. He also reunited with Mott the Hoople for a pair of London shows in 2009 and stayed musically active with The Mick Ralphs Blues Band, which he formed in 2011.
Ralphs is survived by his partner Susie Chavasse, whom the statement called the “love of his life,” his two children and three stepchildren.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mick Ralphs dead: Bad Company, Mott the Hoople guitarist was 81
