Mick Ralphs, the founding member of British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died.
Ralphs died Monday at age 81 from complications of a stroke he had in 2016, Bad Company’s website said in a statement.
The legendary musician was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter for the two bands.
He achieved success on the Billboard charts with Bad Company in the 1970s.
Ralphs is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November with Bad Company.
In a statement, Bad Company 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.”
Ralphs and Rodgers came together in 1973 after leaving their previous bands.
In a 2015 interview with Gibson Guitars, Ralphs said they didn’t intend to form a band, only to write songs together.
Drummer Simon Kirke from Rodgers’ former band Free asked if he could sit in on their jam sessions, and the trio realized they only needed a bassist to have a complete new band.
The result was Bad Company.
The band had such hits as “Can’t Get Enough,” “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad,” and “Feel Like Making Love.”
Written by Mick Ralphs, “Can’t Get Enough” was the first single from Bad Company’s debut album. The single reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Cashbox Magazine’s Top 100 singles chart. #BadCompany50 pic.twitter.com/Nh5N5x21Rh
— Bad Company (@officialbadco) September 26, 2024
The band’s first album was recorded in a week and included many live takes.
Ralphs said his recording style was about capturing a moment rather than having a perfect sound.
“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.”
The band’s popularity was enduring, and Ralphs continued to put out more albums and perform until the day before his stroke in 2016.
The stroke marked the end of his music career, however.
He had been bedridden ever since.
He will take his place in rock history with his bandmates.
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