Mick Ralphs, founding member of Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, dies aged 81 | Music | The Guardian https://share.google/FXZ11zm4YN89VgO9g

 

Ready for Love/ After the Lights

 

I liked Mott in the early days. Nice and heavy.

 

Exactly

 

Michael "Mick" Geoffrey Ralphs (March 31, 1944 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England; June 23, 2025[1]) was a British guitarist, singer, and songwriter.

Mick Ralphs became known as the guitarist and founding member of the rock band Mott the Hoople. In 1973, Ralphs fell out with the other band members and left to form the band Bad Company with Paul Rodgers. He also left the band in 2000 because he no longer enjoyed touring due to his fear of flying. He also released several solo albums.

In 2004, he reunited with Ian Hunter, his former Mott colleague, playing second lead guitar alongside Andy York on Hunter's UK tour.
In 2016, Ralphs suffered a stroke and was forced to retire from Bad Company once again. His former bandmate Simon Kirke reported in 2019 that Ralphs was in a nursing home in England. In June 2025, Ralphs died at the age of 81.

Discography (Solo)
Take This (1998)
It's All Good (2001)
That's Life (2003)

Mick Ralphs - Take This

Mick Ralphs - Barking Mad

Mick Ralphs - Large! -

 

Loved MtH so much. RIP, Mick.

 

By 1973 his heart wasn't in the music of Mott anymore. But in spite of this he played brilliantly on their last album together. He was a straight up rocker and a move to Bad Company was the perfect fit for him although it wasn't my kind of music. I did however stay with Ian Hunter and was pleased that they got together again for a few reunion shows before Mick's stroke. As Ian sang "It's a mighty long way down rock 'n' roll, from the Liverpool docks to The Hollywood Bowl" Farewell Mick.

 

So many Greats leaving us in the last 5 years. So sad, but we will remember.

 

Played mandolin on one of my all time fave songs "I Wish I Was Your Mother". Fix your ears on bona fide rock stardom: