Mick Ralphs, Founding Guitarist of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, Dies at 81

Mick Ralphs, the legendary British guitarist and songwriter behind some of classic rock’s most enduring anthems, has died at the age of 81. A founding member of both Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, Ralphs helped shape the sound of 1970s rock — gritty, heartfelt, and built for the stage.

His death was confirmed Monday in a statement on Bad Company’s official website. While no specific cause was given, the band noted that Ralphs had been bedridden since suffering a stroke shortly after his final performance with the group at London’s O2 Arena in 2016.

Ralphs is set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this November as a member of Bad Company — a milestone that now feels both timely and bittersweet.

A Guitarist with an Ear for Great Songs

Known for his signature riffs and melodic instincts, Ralphs was more than just a guitarist — he was a gifted songwriter who co-wrote some of Bad Company’s biggest hits, including the 1975 classic “Feel Like Makin’ Love” alongside frontman Paul Rodgers. He also penned “Can’t Get Enough”, the band’s biggest single, and “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad.”

Before Bad Company, Ralphs got his start with Mott the Hoople, the cult-favorite glam rock band that rose to fame in the early ’70s. He wrote “Ready for Love” for Mott — a track he later reimagined for Bad Company’s chart-topping 1974 debut.

From Bluesy Beginnings to Arena Rock Fame

Born in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, Ralphs first picked up the guitar as a teenager drawn to the blues. He co-founded The Doc Thomas Group in the mid-1960s, which later evolved into Mott the Hoople. The band’s early albums struggled commercially until they struck gold with “All the Young Dudes”, written and produced by David Bowie in 1972.

Despite the success, Ralphs felt creatively stifled under frontman Ian Hunter and left the band in 1973. That decision would lead to the formation of Bad Company, one of the most influential supergroups of the decade.

Initially meant to be a side project with Rodgers, the group came together when drummer Simon Kirke (formerly of Free) joined in, followed by Boz Burrell of King Crimson on bass. “We didn’t actually plan to have a band,” Ralphs told Gibson Guitars in a 2015 interview. “It was all kind of accidental, I suppose. Lucky, really.”

Instant Success and Lasting Legacy

Bad Company’s debut album shot to No. 1 on the Billboard charts and became a cornerstone of ‘70s arena rock. “Can’t Get Enough” peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100, becoming a rock radio staple for decades to come.

“We actually did the whole thing in one take live,” Ralphs recalled of the song’s recording. “It wasn’t perfect, but it captured the moment — that’s what it’s all about.”

The band’s 1975 follow-up, “Straight Shooter,” was another commercial hit, with Ralphs contributing the opener, “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad.” That album also featured “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” which remains one of the band’s most beloved songs.

Remembered with Love by Bandmates and Family

“Mick has passed, and my heart just hit the ground,” Paul Rodgers shared in a tribute. “He was my friend, my songwriting partner, and an amazing and versatile guitarist with the greatest sense of humor.”

Drummer Simon Kirke added: “He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.”

Ralphs is survived by his wife, Susie Chavasse — described by the band as “the love of his life” — along with two children, three stepchildren, and his “beloved bandmates.”

Paul Rodgers reflected on their final moments together: “Our last conversation a few days ago, we shared a laugh. But it won’t be our last.”

A Final Note

With his guitar, his songs, and his quiet confidence, Mick Ralphs helped write the soundtrack of a generation. He leaves behind a legacy of timeless rock and a reminder that some of the best music isn’t perfect — it just captures the moment.