Mick Ralphs, founding guitarist of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, dies

Mick Ralphs , singer, songwriter, guitarist and founding member of classic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died at the age of 81. His fellow Bad Company members, singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, have paid tribute to him with a message that did not give the cause of death.

“Our Mick has passed away, my heart has just hit the ground. He left us with exceptional songs and memories. He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an incredible and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humor. In our last conversation a few days ago, we shared a laugh, but it won't be the last. There are many memories of Mick that will make us laugh. My condolences to all who loved him, especially his one true love, Susie. I'll see you in heaven,” Rodgers wrote. For his part, Kirk bids farewell to “a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist who will be deeply missed.”

Among Ralphs' greatest songwriting achievements are writing or co-writing hits such as 'Can't Get Enough' and 'Feel Like Makin' Love' for Bad Company, 'Rock and Roll Queen' and 'One of the Boys' for Mott the Hoople, 'Ready for Love', which was recorded by both bands, and later writing 'Flying Hour' with George Harrison.

Born in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, England, Ralphs began playing blues guitar as a teenager. He played in several bands in his teens before becoming a member of Silence, a band based in Hereford, near Wales, and, at age 20, in 1966, co-founded the Doc Thomas Group, which would become Mott the Hoople three years later. He left the group in 1973, shortly after it achieved commercial success with 'All the Young Dudes', written and produced by David Bowie , one of their biggest fans, who in fact was responsible for the fact that they did not split up a year earlier due to the lack of commercial success, convincing them to record with him.

However, when the desired impact arrived, Ralph jumped ship. He then formed Bad Company with singer Paul Rodgers, who had left his own band, Free. They were joined by Simon Kirke, Free's drummer, and Boz Burrell, former bassist and vocalist of King Crimson, and the group signed to Led Zeppelin's record label , Swan Song, thanks to Zeppelin's manager, Peter Grant.

The group's success was instant, with their 1974 self-titled debut achieving five-times platinum certification thanks to the hits "Can't Get Enough" and a remake of "Ready for Love." The group's success continued with their second album, "Straight Shooter," which featured the hit "Shooting Star," and throughout the rest of the decade, with a hit cover of the 1950s classic "Young Blood" and, later, "Rock and Roll Fantasy." The band broke up in 1982 but reunited several times in the following years.

After the breakup, Ralphs recorded a solo album (he has three solo albums in total, 1984's Take This, 2001's It's All Good, and 2003's That's Life), but soon reformed Bad Company with Kirke and two new singers replacing Rodgers. The group recorded four albums from the 1980s onwards, but in 1990 Ralphs pulled out of a tour, claiming he had never liked the road and had to look after his ailing father. Ralphs also joined Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour on a solo tour in 1984, toured with Ian Hunter in 2004, and took part in a Mott the Hoople reunion in the autumn of 2009.

In 2011 he formed The Mick Ralphs Blues Band with musicians he met while guesting at a jam session at the Nag's Head pub in High Wycombe.

In 2011 he formed The Mick Ralphs Blues Band with musicians he met while guesting at a jam session at the Nag's Head pub in High Wycombe.

Ralphs suffered a stroke days after what would be his final performance with Bad Company at London's O2 Arena in 2016, and has been bedridden ever since. Next November, he will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Bad Company. "I'm ecstatic, I feel great... it's fabulous to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," Ralphs said upon hearing the news.