Mick Ralphs, legendary guitarist of Bad Company, dies aged 81

Mick Ralphs, the influential British guitarist and co-founder of the rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, has died at the age of 81.

The band announced his death through a statement released on Instagram/

Ralphs had been confined to bed since suffering a stroke shortly after his final performance with Bad Company at London’s O2 Arena in 2016. No further details surrounding his death have been made public.

Born in Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, Ralphs began playing blues guitar in his teens and launched his professional career in the 1960s.

He was a founding member of the Doc Thomas Group, which evolved into Mott the Hoople in 1969. The band rose to prominence with the David Bowie-produced hit All the Young Dudes, before Ralphs departed in 1973.

Soon after, he co-founded Bad Company alongside former Free frontman Paul Rodgers, drummer Simon Kirke, and bassist Boz Burrell.

Their self-titled debut album in 1974 featured two of Ralphs’ most enduring contributions: Can’t Get Enough and a reworked version of Ready for Love, originally written for Mott the Hoople. He later co-wrote Feel Like Makin’ Love with Rodgers in 1975.

Ralphs is set to be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this November as a member of Bad Company.

“He has left us with exceptional songs and memories,” Rodgers said in a tribute shared following the news of Ralphs’ passing. “He was my friend, my songwriting partner, and an amazing, versatile guitarist with the greatest sense of humour.”

Kirke also paid tribute, calling Ralphs “a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist. We will miss him deeply.”

Ralphs last performed publicly in 2016, but his legacy as a founding figure in two of Britain’s most celebrated rock bands remains indelible. His work bridged blues and hard rock, and his melodic style became a defining feature of both Mott the Hoople and Bad Company.