Mott the Hoople and Bad Company Co-founder Mick Ralphs Dies at 81
Mick Ralphs, the co-founding lead guitarist of Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, has died.
News of Ralphs’ death at 81 comes nine years after the guitarist suffered a career-ending stroke.
“Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground,” Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers said in a statement.
“He has left us with exceptional songs and memories. He was my friend, my songwriting partner (and) an amazing and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humor.”
“The world is a poorer place today,” Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott said in eulogizing the man who “has been a constant companion through my musical journey and … one of the kindest souls I ever met.”
Ralphs co-founded Mott in 1969 and stayed with the band through six albums until 1973, when he joined former Free members Rodgers, drummer Simon Kirke and former King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell to form Bad Company.
“(Ralphs) was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter and an exceptional guitarist,” Kirke said in a statement. “We will miss him deeply.”
The guitarist’s songwriting credits include “Ready for Love,” “Can’t Get Enough” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” which along with Ralphs’ “high-gain guitar riffs and heavy phrasing … helped define Bad Company as hard rock’s quintessential supergroup,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame said in a statement.
Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Damon Johnson mourned Ralphs with a “heavy sigh from my heavy heart” on social media.
“And thank you for charting the path for all of us that love soulful, badass rock and roll,” Johnson said.
6/24/25
