Rock Legend Mick Ralphs Dies at 81, Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Fans around the globe are mourning the death of Mick Ralphs, the legendary guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of both Bad Company and Mott the Hoople. Ralphs passed away at the age of 81, as confirmed by a statement from Bad Company on Monday.
Ralphs had been largely out of the public eye since suffering a debilitating stroke in 2016, shortly after his final performance with Bad Company at London’s O2 Arena. While no official cause of death was disclosed, his passing marks the close of a pivotal chapter in classic rock history.
“Mick has passed—my heart just hit the ground,” said longtime friend and Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers. “He was my friend, songwriting partner, and an amazing, versatile guitarist.”
Ralphs first rose to prominence in the late 1960s with Mott the Hoople, where he wrote the original version of “Ready for Love.” The track gained renewed fame when Bad Company re-recorded it for their 1974 self-titled debut album—an LP that also featured the enduring hit “Can’t Get Enough,” written by Ralphs. He later co-wrote “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” helping cement the band’s legacy in rock history.
Born in Herefordshire, England, Ralphs picked up the guitar as a teenager and never looked back. In 1973, he left Mott the Hoople to form Bad Company alongside Paul Rodgers, drummer Simon Kirke, and bassist Boz Burrell—a group where Ralphs said he finally felt “musically at home.”
Though he never sought the spotlight, Ralphs became a household name. “I want to be loved—but only because I believe in what I’m doing,” he said in a 1974 interview.
Set to be posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this November, Mick Ralphs leaves behind a catalog of timeless riffs, unforgettable songs, and a profound influence on generations of rock musicians.
