Mick Ralphs, Bad Company and Mott the Hoople guitarist, dies at 81

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Mick Ralphs performs on stage with Bad Company in the 1970s. The guitarist, known for co-writing hits like "Can’t Get Enough" and "Feel Like Makin’ Love," has died at 81, months before his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns)

LOS ANGELES - Mick Ralphs, the influential British guitarist and songwriter behind some of the most iconic rock hits of the 1970s, has died at 81. Ralphs helped shape the sound of arena rock as a founding member of both Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, crafting riffs and melodies that remain staples of classic rock radio to this day.

Ralphs had been largely out of the public eye since suffering a stroke in 2016, shortly after what would become his final performance with Bad Company. His death was announced in a statement posted Monday to the band’s official website. No additional details were provided.

What made Mick Ralphs a rock icon?

The backstory:

Born in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, England, Ralphs began playing blues guitar as a teenager. In 1966, he co-founded the Doc Thomas Group, which evolved into Mott the Hoople by 1969. The band found early success with the David Bowie-penned anthem "All the Young Dudes," but Ralphs left in 1973, frustrated by creative limitations.

He would soon team up with Paul Rodgers, formerly of Free, to start what was initially meant to be a songwriting project. But when drummer Simon Kirke and bassist Boz Burrell joined, Bad Company was born almost by accident.

"We didn’t actually plan to have a band," Ralphs recalled in a 2015 interview with Gibson Guitars. "It was all kind of accidental I suppose. Lucky, really."

Ralphs’ songwriting legacy

Dig deeper:

Ralphs’ guitar work and songwriting helped define Bad Company’s signature sound: bold, bluesy, and radio-friendly. He wrote "Can’t Get Enough," the band’s biggest hit, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. He also co-wrote "Feel Like Makin’ Love" and "Good Lovin’ Gone Bad," both staples of classic rock.

Their debut album hit No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart, and their 1975 follow-up, Straight Shooter, reached No. 3 in both the U.S. and the UK. Ralphs’ songs remain fixtures in arena setlists and nostalgic playlists.

"We actually did the whole thing in one take live," Ralphs said of recording "Can’t Get Enough." "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."

What they're saying:

"Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground," singer Paul Rodgers said in a statement. "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."

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

Rodgers shared that the two had spoken just days before Ralphs’ death: "Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh. But it won’t be our last."

What's next:

Ralphs is set to be posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Bad Company in November. The band’s influence on rock history is widely recognized, and the induction will likely serve as a tribute to Ralphs’ legacy on stage and in the studio.