Bad Company were set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November
Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs, who co-founded the band, has died at the age of 81. Bad Company was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, and are slated to be inducted in November.
A statement from his family said that he “is survived by the love of his life, Susie Chavasse, his two children, three step-children and his beloved bandmates Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke. He also leaves behind millions of devoted fans and friends across the world.”
Mick’s Bad Company bandmates also paid tribute in a statement.
“Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground. He has left us with exceptional songs and memories,” frontman Paul Rogers states. “He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an amazing and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humour. Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh but it won’t be our last. There are many memories of Mick that will create laughter. Condolences to everyone who loved him especially his one true love, Susie. I will see you in heaven.”
Drummer Simon Kirk adds, “He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.”
Ralphs gave his final performance with Bad Company on October 29, 2016, at London’s O2 Arena. Just days later, he suffered a debilitating stroke and remained bedridden until his passing. Also a co-founder of Mott the Hoople, Mick leaves behind a powerful musical legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
Mick Ralphs, born Michael Geoffrey Ralphs on March 31, 1944, in Herefordshire, England, is a renowned British guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with the rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company. Ralphs began playing guitar in his teens and was heavily influenced by early rock and blues artists. In the mid-1960s, he joined the blues-rock group the Buddies and later became a founding member of the band the Doc Thomas Group, which evolved into the band Silence. That group would eventually become Mott the Hoople in 1969 after recruiting singer Ian Hunter and securing a deal with Island Records under the guidance of producer Guy Stevens.
As Mott the Hoople’s lead guitarist and a key songwriter, Ralphs helped shape the band’s early sound—a mix of glam rock, hard rock, and Dylanesque lyrical introspection. Though the band struggled commercially at first, their fortunes changed when David Bowie offered them the song “All the Young Dudes,” which became a hit in 1972 and revitalized their career. Ralphs contributed to the band’s subsequent albums, including Mott and The Hoople, writing songs such as “Rock and Roll Queen,” “Ready for Love,” and “One of the Boys.” However, as the band’s sound became increasingly shaped by Hunter’s piano-based songwriting, Ralphs began to feel stifled creatively.
In 1973, Ralphs left Mott the Hoople to form a new group – Bad Company. Paul Rodgers of Free first met Mick Ralphs in 1971. After an inspired jam session and a mutual sharing of songs, Ralphs made the bold decision to leave Mott The Hoople. Adding former King Crimson bassist/vocalist Boz Burrell and drummer Simon Kirke, Bad Company was complete. With the help of Led Zeppelin’s legendary manager Peter Grant, Bad Company became the first band signed to Zeppelin’s Swan Song label.Their self-titled debut album was released in 1974 and became a massive success, reaching number one in the United States and producing hits like “Can’t Get Enough,” a song originally demoed by Ralphs during his time with Mott the Hoople. Ralphs’ guitar style—marked by powerful riffs, melodic solos, and a bluesy edge—became a cornerstone of Bad Company’s sound. He continued to write or co-write many of the band’s best-known songs, including “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Movin’ On,” and “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad.”
Ralphs remained with Bad Company throughout their classic era in the 1970s, during which they released six albums and became one of the most successful rock acts of the decade. After the original lineup disbanded in 1982, Ralphs took a step back from the spotlight but continued to write music and occasionally work with other artists. He participated in various Bad Company reunions over the years, including a notable tour with Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke in 1999, as well as more limited tours in the 2000s and 2010s. He also released solo material, including his 1984 instrumental album Take This!, which showcased his broader musical influences and capabilities beyond traditional rock.
In 2016, Ralphs joined Bad Company for a U.S. tour supporting Joe Walsh, but after the tour he suffered a stroke that forced him to retire from active performance. Though his health has since limited his public appearances, Ralphs remains a respected figure in rock history. His contributions to two legendary British rock bands helped define the hard rock and classic rock sounds of the 1970s. Known for his tasteful, riff-driven guitar work and enduring songwriting, Mick Ralphs has left an indelible mark on the genre and inspired generations of guitarists to follow.