Hi, Phil Aston here from Now Spinning Magazine with a heartfelt tribute to a truly underrated guitarist and songwriter—Mick Ralphs, who sadly passed away following a long illness.
Born in Herefordshire, England on March 31, 1944, Mick Ralphs was best known for his work with two legendary bands: Mott the Hoople and Bad Company. While he may not have always been a household name, for many of us, his music has been the heartbeat of our youth and continues to soundtrack our lives today.
Mick suffered a stroke following one of the last Bad Company tours—a tour my late friend Gary P Fudge saw—and had lived in care for some time. It’s devastating news, even if not unexpected. I was reminded of an interview Mick Wall once did with him about his blues band. Both Micks—Ralphs and Wall—are no longer with us, and so this tribute feels even more personal.
These tributes are never scripted. I do them from the heart, about artists who genuinely moved me and shaped my life. This video and blog are dedicated to Mick’s partner, Susie Chavasse, his children and stepchildren, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, and every fan who has ever felt a jolt of emotion from Mick Ralphs’ music.
I first noticed Mott the Hoople on “Top of the Pops” playing “All the Young Dudes,” but it was in 1974, at the age of 15, that Mick Ralphs truly came onto my radar. A supergroup had formed—Bad Company—featuring Ralphs (fresh from Mott), Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke (from Free), and Boz Burrell (from King Crimson). Their debut single “Can’t Get Enough,” written by Mick himself, was everywhere. I bought it for 48p from a tiny record shop in Sheldon. The B-side, “Little Misfortune,” co-written with Rodgers, remains one of my favourite Bad Company tracks.
Their self-titled debut album was a powerhouse. Ralphs brought with him three songs from his Mott the Hoople days—“Ready for Love,” “Movin’ On,” and “Can’t Get Enough”—giving Bad Company a head start with deeply melodic, guitar-driven rock.
While I discovered their debut, the first Bad Company album I actually bought was Straight Shooter. The single “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” pulled me in, and from there, I was hooked on tracks like “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (featuring Mick with a Flying V guitar) and “Deal With The Preacher”—his guitar tone, rich and sustaining, was never showy. He always served the song, echoing the soulfulness of Paul Kossoff while carving out his own more confident, muscular style.
For me, Run With The Pack (1976) might be my favourite Bad Company album. Mick wrote “Live for the Music” and “Simple Man,” both of which strike deep emotional chords. “Simple Man” in particular is a stunning example of Ralphs’ strength as both a lyricist and guitarist. These weren’t just riffs—he wrote the songs, the lyrics, and gave Paul Rodgers the platform to soar vocally.
Ralphs’ guitar was the band’s engine room—tight, melodic, never self-indulgent. Tracks like “Sweet Little Sister,” “Honey Child,” “Rock and Roll Fantasy,” and “Electric Land” all showcase that lean, mean riffing style.
As Bad Company became part of my DNA, I went back to Mott the Hoople. Albums like Mad Shadows and Wildlife showed how Mick was already shaping rock music’s future. “Thunderbuck Ram” from Mad Shadows is a hard rock gem. On Wildlife, he penned “Whiskey Woman” and “Home Is Where I Want to Be”—more proof of his sensitive songwriting. Later Mott albums like Mott (1973) really show how Ralphs was thinking beyond glam rock—planning his next move.
When Paul Rodgers stepped away, Bad Company carried on with albums like Fame and Fortune, Dangerous Age, and Holy Water. Often overlooked, these records had a more AOR sheen, but Mick’s playing remained exceptional. Tracks like “No Smoke Without a Fire,” “I Can’t Live Without You,” and “Stranger Stranger” still pack a punch.
Their 2009 Hard Rock Live CD/DVD shows Ralphs still firing on all cylinders, and it’s a must-have. There’s also the withdrawn Live in Albuquerque 1976 album—recorded from tapes Ralphs kept himself. It’s a raw, honest snapshot of the band’s peak. Please, Paul—let that record be reissued. It deserves to be heard.
He also released a handful of solo albums collected in a small box set: Take This, It’s All Good, Should Know Better, and more. These are intimate, understated works filled with his distinctive touch.
Essential Listening: A Mick Ralphs Starter Pack
To appreciate Mick Ralphs, here’s my recommended playlist:
Mott the Hoople:
“Thunderbuck Ram” (Mad Shadows)
“All the Young Dudes” (All the Young Dudes)
Bad Company:
“Live for the Music” (Run With the Pack)
“Simple Man” (Run With the Pack)
“Sweet Little Sister” (Run With the Pack)
“Electric Land” (Rough Diamonds)
“Rock and Roll Fantasy” (Desolation Angels)
“Burning Sky” and “Leaving You” (Burning Sky)
“Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Deal with the Preacher” (Straight Shooter)
“Can’t Get Enough,” “Ready for Love,” and “Movin’ On” (Bad Company)
“Little Misfortune” (B-side, 1974)
“Stranger Stranger” and “If You Needed Someone” (Holy Water)
“No Smoke Without a Fire” and “That’s the Way It Goes” (Dangerous Age)
Mick Ralphs was a guitarist, yes—but also a songwriter, arranger, and true team player. He never overplayed. His guitar weaved effortlessly through Paul Rodgers’ vocals. He had his own tone, his own voice. His legacy isn’t just in licks or solos—it’s in the timeless songs that will always mean something to those of us who grew up with them, and to new generations discovering them.
So play some Bad Company. Revisit Mott the Hoople. And let Mick Ralphs continue to soundtrack your life.
Rest in peace, Mick. Thank you for everything.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
