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’ decease was confirmed successful a connection from his representative, though nary nonstop day oregon origin of decease was given.

“Our Mick has passed, my bosom conscionable deed the ground,” Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers said successful a statement. “He has near america with exceptional songs and memories. He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an astonishing and versatile guitarist who had the top consciousness of humour. Our past speech a fewer days agone we shared a laughter but it won’t beryllium our last. There are galore memories of Mick that volition make laughter. Condolences to everyone who loved him particularly his 1 existent love, Susie. I volition spot you successful heaven.”

Born successful 1944 successful Herefordshire, England, Ralphs co-founded the Doc Thomas Group successful the mid-1960’s, which signed to Island aft immoderate lineup changes and revamped arsenic Mott the Hoople. Ralphs’ songwriting and guitar enactment successful that set helped determination stone ‘n’ rotation retired of the psychedelic ‘60s and into the struts and arty pomp of ‘70s glam. The band’s raucous unrecorded shows won a devoted pursuing — aboriginal collaborator David Bowie and Mick Jones of the Clash were aboriginal fans — but illustration occurrence eluded them.

At Bowie’s behest, the radical changed absorption and got a vocation jolt erstwhile helium talented them his opus “All The Young Dudes,” which made their 1972 LP of the aforesaid sanction a planetary hit. The band’s follow-up, “Mott,” was besides a smash, sporting singles “All the Way From Memphis” and “Honaloochie Boogie.”

Yet Ralphs had ambitions beyond the band, and departed successful 1973 to articulation ex-Free members Rodgers and Simon Kirke and erstwhile King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell successful a caller supergroup.

Bad Company became 1 of the archetypal acts to motion with Zeppelin’s Swan Song label, and instantly recovered planetary success. Its 1974 self-titled debut went 5 times platinum, connected spot of hits similar “Can’t Get Enough” and a retooled instrumentality of Ralphs’ “Ready for Love,” which he’d primitively recorded with Mott the Hoople. A follow-up, “Straight Shooter,” featured the classical stone staple “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and Bad Company remained illustration fixtures until breaking up successful 1982.

Ralphs joined Mott the Hoople for a reunion circuit successful 2009, and performed successful respective reunited incarnations of Bad Company and his ain Mick Ralphs Blues Band until suffering a changeable successful 2016, which confined him to furniture successful his last years. His past show with Bad Company was successful 2016, astatine London’s O2 Arena. That radical volition beryllium inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame aboriginal this year.

“He was a beloved friend, a fantastic songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist,” said Bad Company drummer Kirke, successful a statement. “We volition miss him deeply.”

Ralphs is survived by spouse Susie Chavasse, his 2 children and 3 step-children.