{"id":1114,"date":"2025-06-26T15:37:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T15:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/realnewsz13.store\/?p=1114"},"modified":"2025-06-26T15:37:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T15:37:38","slug":"rock-legend-gone-mick-ralphs-of-bad-company-and-mott-the-hoople-dies-at-81","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/realnewsz13.store\/?p=1114","title":{"rendered":"Rock legend gone: Mick Ralphs of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople dies at 81"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Fans around the world are mourning the loss of legendary British guitarist and songwriter Mick Ralphs, a founding member of the iconic rock bands\u00a0Bad Company<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Mott the Hoople<\/em>.<\/strong><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Ralphs passed away at age 81, the band confirmed Monday in a statement shared on their official website.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The guitarist had been bedridden since suffering a stroke in 2016 \u2014 just days after his final performance with Bad Company at London\u2019s O2 Arena. While no further details surrounding his death were released, his passing marks the end of an era for classic rock fans.<\/p>\n

Ralphs, one hell of a guitar slinger, was due to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this November as a member of Bad Company \u2014 a moment many fans felt was long overdue.<\/p>\n

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Mick Ralphs of Bad Company performs on stage at the O2 Arena on 29 October 2016 in London, England. (Christie Goodwin\/Redferns via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cOur Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground,\u201d said Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers in a heartfelt statement. \u201cHe 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 humor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Packed with songs made for the radio<\/h4>\n

Ralphs first made waves in the late \u201960s with Mott the Hoople, the group that would gain stardom with their David Bowie-produced anthem\u00a0All the Young Dudes<\/em>. But it was Ralphs\u2019 1970 song\u00a0Ready for Love<\/em>\u00a0that truly showcased his songwriting talent \u2014 first recorded with Mott the Hoople, then reimagined for Bad Company\u2019s explosive 1974 debut album.<\/p>\n

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That same album included\u00a0Can\u2019t Get Enough<\/em>, one of Bad Company\u2019s biggest hits \u2014 also penned by Ralphs. A year later, he co-wrote the sultry rock ballad\u00a0Feel Like Makin\u2019 Love<\/em>\u00a0with Rodgers, solidifying the band\u2019s legacy in rock history.<\/p>\n

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Boz Burrell, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke of the rock band \u201cBad Company\u201d pose for a portrait in circa 1973. (Michael Ochs Archives\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bad Company\u2019s albums were packed with songs made for the radio, and their powerful live shows fit perfectly with the arena rock craze of the 1970s.<\/p>\n

Born in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, Ralphs began playing blues guitar as a teen. In 1966, he co-founded the\u00a0Doc Thomas Group<\/em>, which later evolved into\u00a0Mott the Hoople<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201dI want to be loved\u201d<\/h4>\n

During his five years with Mott the Hoople, Mick had to suit up in glittery outfits and take part in over-the-top rock theatrics night after night \u2014 something he admitted made him feel foolish.<\/p>\n

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He left the band in 1973, shortly after their Bowie-fueled breakthrough, and joined forces with Rodgers \u2014 fresh off his stint with\u00a0Free<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 to form\u00a0Bad Company<\/em>. The band was completed by drummer Simon Kirke (also of Free) and former\u00a0King Crimson<\/em>\u00a0bassist and vocalist Boz Burrell. Despite the band\u2019s rough-sounding name, Mick felt much more at home in Bad Company.<\/p>\n

Mick was an incredibly talented musician who penned countless hits, but he never saw himself as a superstar. He wasn\u2019t chasing fame\u2014in fact, he feared it might end in failure.<\/p>\n

Still, with a smash like\u00a0Ready For Love<\/em>\u00a0under his belt, avoiding the spotlight became nearly impossible.<\/p>\n

\u201cI try to not be really aware of fame. I don\u2019t want to believe my own publicity. Of course I want acceptance. I want to be loved \u2013 but only because I believe in what I\u2019m doing. Money and trimmings can make you complacent. Ego can crumble, but a good band won\u2019t,\u201d Mick said in a 1974 interview.<\/p>\n