Michael Geoffrey Ralphs (born 31 March 1944) is a retired English guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who was a founding member of rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company. Though not a constant member, he appeared on every studio album by the latter band alongside drummer Simon Kirke.

Career

Ralphs began his career as a teenager, playing with

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form which originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads from the Afr ...

-rock band the Buddies. He released a single with that group in 1964 before joining the

Mod Mod, MOD or mods may refer to: Places * Modesto City–County Airport, Stanislaus County, California, US Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Mods (band), a Norwegian rock band * M.O.D. (Method of Destruction), a band from New York City, US ...

Doc Thomas Group in 1966. After an eponymous Italian album debut, the band changed its name twice, first to Silence in 1968 and then, in 1969, to Mott the Hoople. Ralphs remained with the band until 1973, leaving just after they achieved their commercial breakthrough with the

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the ...

-produced album '' All the Young Dudes''. Upon exiting Mott the Hoople, he founded Bad Company along with vocalist

Paul Rodgers Paul Rodgers (born 17 December 1949) is a British singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was the lead vocalist of numerous bands, including Free, Bad Company, The Firm, and The Law. He has also performed as a solo artist, and co ...

from the band

Free Free may refer to: Concept * Freedom, having the ability to do something, without having to obey anyone/anything * Freethought, a position that beliefs should be formed only on the basis of logic, reason, and empiricism * Emancipate, to procur ...

. The band's debut album in 1974 included the Ralphs'-penned

hit Hit means to strike someone or something. Hit or HIT may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities * Hit, a fictional character from ''Dragon Ball Super'' * Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization in ...

" Can't Get Enough", for which Ralphs tuned his guitar in the open-C tuning C-C-G-C-E-C, stating, "It never really sounds right in standard tuning. It needs the open C to have that ring." The debut album reached number one in the United States. Ralphs continued to

record A record, recording or records may refer to: An item or collection of data Computing * Record (computer science), a data structure ** Record, or row (database), a set of fields in a database related to one entity ** Boot sector or boot record, ...

and tour with Bad Company until the original band folded in 1982. In 1984 he toured with

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic music, psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philo ...

guitarist

David Gilmour David Jon Gilmour ( ; born 6 March 1946) is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and member of the rock band Pink Floyd. He joined as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in 1967, shortly before the departure of founding member Syd Barrett. P ...

on Gilmour's About Face tour, although he did not play on the album. In 1985, he released a solo album, ''Take This'', which included

's and Bad Company's drummer Simon Kirke.rockdetector.com
He teamed up with future Bad Company guitarist

Dave Colwell David "Dave Bucket" Colwell (born 1 August 1964) is a rock guitarist from the United Kingdom and has been a member of Bad Company, Samson, ASAP, The Eastenders, The Entire Population of Hackney, 720, The Torpedos, Angel Street, Roger Chapman's ...

for a limited four-run live support of the album, which also featured drummer

Chris Slade Chris Slade (born Christopher Slade Rees; 30 October 1946) is a Welsh musician, best known for playing for the Australian rock band AC/DC. He drummed for the band from 1989 to 1994, performing on their 1990 album '' The Razors Edge'' along with ...

Manfred Mann's Earth Band Manfred Mann's Earth Band are an English rock band formed by South African musician Manfred Mann (musician), Manfred Mann. Their hits include covers of Bruce Springsteen's "For You (Bruce Springsteen song), For You", "Blinded by the Light" an ...

and keyboard player Lindsay Bridgewater, who performed with

Ozzy Osbourne John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (born 3 December 1948) is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. He rose to prominence during the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, during which period he adop ...

. He did one performance with a band called Cold Turkey. Bad Company reformed with different line-ups between 1986 and 1998. But after a reunion tour with the original foursome in 1999, Ralphs announced that he was giving up touring, something he was never comfortable with in either band, since he has an extreme fear of flying. Ralphs second solo album ''It's All Good'', an

instrumental An instrumental is a recording normally without any vocals, although it might include some inarticulate vocals, such as shouted backup vocals in a big band setting. Through semantic widening, a broader sense of the word song may refer to instru ...

, came out in 2001. Two years later his ''That's Life – Can't Get Enough'' album was released, including a demo version of "Can't Get Enough". In 2004, he once again teamed up with former Mott colleague Ian Hunter, playing second lead guitar (along with Andy York) on Hunter's UK tour. Ralphs performed at Hunter's 2005 concert at the

London Astoria The London Astoria was a music venue at 157 Charing Cross Road, in London, England. Originally a warehouse during the 1920s, the building became a cinema and ballroom. It was converted for use as a theatre in the 1970s. After further developme ...

, with Ralphs performing a guitar solo to "

All the Way from Memphis "All the Way from Memphis" is a single released by Mott the Hoople as the lead track from the album ''Mott'' in 1973. The song tells a story about a rock and roller whose guitar is shipped to Oriole, Kentucky, instead of Memphis, Tennessee. T ...

On 2 July 2008, it was announced that the original line-up of Bad Company (minus Boz Burrell who died in September 2006) would do a one-off gig at the

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hard Rock Cafe, Inc. is a British-based multinational chain of theme restaurants, memorabilia shops, casinos and museums founded in 1971 by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton in London. In 1979, the cafe began covering its walls with rock and ro ...

Hollywood, Florida Hollywood is a city in southern Broward County, Florida, United States, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. As of July 1, 2019, Hollywood had a population of 154,817. Founded in 1925, the city grew rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s, and is now ...

on 8 August 2008. According to Rodgers, they did this gig to "protect the legacy they have built and cement the rights to the trademark Bad Company for touring". Mott the Hoople, including Ralphs, reunited for two shows at the Blake Theatre in

Monmouth Monmouth ( , ; cy, Trefynwy meaning "town on the Monnow") is a town and community in Wales. It is situated where the River Monnow joins the River Wye, from the Wales–England border. Monmouth is northeast of Cardiff, and west of London. I ...

close to

Rockfield Studios Rockfield Studios is a residential recording studio located in the Wye Valley just outside the village of Rockfield, Monmouthshire, Wales. It was originally founded in 1963 by brothers Kingsley and Charles Ward. Facilities Rockfield is a two- ...

where they rehearsed before playing five concerts at the

Hammersmith Apollo The Hammersmith Apollo, currently called the Eventim Apollo for sponsorship reasons, and formerly known as the Hammersmith Odeon, is a live entertainment performance venue, originally built as a cinema called the Gaumont Palace. Located in Ham ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, during September and October 2009. All five of the original members participated in the reunion with Martin Chambers assisting on drums. In 2011, Ralphs formed The Mick Ralphs Blues Band with musicians he met while guesting at a jam session at the Nag's Head pub in High Wycombe: Stuart Son Maxwell, harmonica/vocals; Jim Maving, guitar; Sam Kelly, drums; Dickey Baldwin, bass. The band's website stated that Ralphs sought to explore his blues and soul roots, playing covers of classic blues and R&B songs. The band made its debut as Mick Ralphs and Co at Jagz Club in Ascot, Berkshire in June 2011, changing the name to the Mick Ralphs Blues Band soon afterwards. More dates were announced for late 2011 and early 2012. In 2012, Bad Company performed a short run of European festival dates. In 2013 and 2014, Bad Company and

Lynyrd Skynyrd Lynyrd Skynyrd ( ) is an American rock music, rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida. The group originally formed as My Backyard in 1964 and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocalist), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Ju ...

jointly toured throughout the United States and Canada, initially commemorating the 40th anniversary of Skynyrd's first album release and Bad Company's formation. In 2016, Bad Company announced a US tour with Joe Walsh. Ralphs initially announced that he would not be participating in this tour and that Rich Robinson of

the Black Crowes The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1984. Their discography includes eight studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer Geo ...

would be standing in for him. In June 2016, the group announced a UK arena tour with special guests

Richie Sambora Richard Stephen Sambora (born July 11, 1959) is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013. He and lead singer Jon Bon Jovi formed the main songwri ...

and Orianthi culminating in a show at London's

O2 Arena O2 Arena may refer to: *The O2 Arena (London) *O2 Arena (Prague) *The 3Arena The 3Arena (originally The O2) is an indoor amphitheatre located at North Wall Quay in the Dublin Docklands in Dublin, Ireland. The venue opened as The O2 on 16 Decemb ...

on 29 October. Ralphs rejoined the band for the duration of the tour. Following the band's concluding performance in London, it was reported that Ralphs had been hospitalized, having suffered a stroke. He has not returned to the band since with his lead guitar parts being played by second guitarist, Howard Leese and keyboard parts being played by Rodgers.

Guitars

*Mott the Hoople – Gibson Les Paul Junior, Gibson Firebird (Single Pick-Up), Gibson SG, Fender Telecaster *Bad Company – Fender Telecaster, Fender Stratocaster,

Gibson Les Paul Standard The Gibson Les Paul is a solid body electric guitar that was first sold by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1952. The guitar was designed by factory manager John Huis and his team with input from and endorsement by guitarist Les Paul. Its typica ...

, Fender Esquire, Gibson Flying V – "Feel Like Making Love"

video Video is an electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving visual media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, which were quickly replaced by cathode-ray tube (CRT) syste ...

*Recently – Gibson 1957/1959 Custom Shop re-issue Gibson Les Paul Standards *Fender Stratocaster fitted with a 2TEK bridge

Notable songwriting credits

Rock and Roll Queen ''Rock and Roll Queen'' is a compilation album by the British rock band Mott the Hoople. The album predominantly features selections from the four albums Mott recorded for Island Records in the UK, which were subsequently issued in the US by At ...

" *"

Ready For Love Ready may refer to: Film and television * ''Ready'', a 2002 British short starring Imelda Staunton * ''Ready'' (2008 film), a Telugu film * ''Ready'' (2011 film), a Hindi remake of the Telugu film * "Ready" (''New Girl''), a television episo ...

" *" Can't Get Enough" *"

Good Lovin' Gone Bad "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" was a 1974 Top 40 song in both the United States and the UK for the English rock band, Bad Company. The song was written by the band's guitarist Mick Ralphs and appeared on the album, '' Straight Shooter''.Naha, Ed1975 June ...

" *" Movin' On" *" One of the Boys" with Ian Hunter *" Feel Like Makin' Love" with

Flying Hour ''Songs by George Harrison'' is a book of song lyrics and commentary by English musician George Harrison, with illustrations by New Zealand artist Keith West. It was published in February 1988, in a limited run of 2500 copies, by Genesis Publ ...

" with

George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician and singer-songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian c ...

*"Oh, Atlanta" (recorded originally by Bad Company on the album '' Desolation Angels''; later covered by

Alison Krauss Alison Maria Krauss (born July 23, 1971) is an American bluegrass-country singer and musician. She entered the music industry at an early age, competing in local contests by the age of 8 and recording for the first time at 14. She signed with ...

)

Discography

Solo

* 1984 - ''Take This'' - Re-edited on CD in 1996 * 2001 - ''It's All Good'' - Recorded live in 1999 with Simon Kirke and Boz Burrell * 2003 - ''That's Life''

Mott the Hoople

* 1969 - '' Mott the Hoople'' * 1970 - '' Mad Shadows'' * 1971 - ''

Wildlife Wildlife refers to domestication, undomesticated animal species (biology), species, but has come to include all organisms that grow or live wilderness, wild in an area without being species, introduced by humans. Wildlife was also synonymous ...

'' * 1971 - ''

Brain Capers ''Brain Capers'' is the fourth album by the band Mott the Hoople. It was originally released in November 1971 in the UK by Island Records (catalogue number ILPS 9178) and on Island Records in Canada (cat. no. SW-9178), and was reissued in 20 ...

'' * 1972 - '' All the Young Dudes'' * 1972 - ''

'' (

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...

) * 1973 - '' Mott'' * 1974 - '' The Hoople'' - Ralphs sang backup vocals on "Pearl 'n' Roy (England)" and played rhythm guitar on "Roll Away the Stone".

Bad Company

* 1974 - '' Bad Company'' * 1975 - '' Straight Shooter'' * 1976 - '' Run With The Pack'' * 1977 - ''

Burnin' Sky ''Burnin' Sky'' is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Bad Company. It was released on 3 March 1977. ''Burnin' Sky'' was recorded in France at Château d'Hérouville in July and August 1976 with future The Rolling Stones engineer ...

'' * 1979 - '' Desolation Angels'' * 1982 - '' Rough Diamonds'' * 1985 - ''

10 from 6 ''10 from 6'' (also known as ''10/6'') is a compilation album released by English supergroup Bad Company in December 1985 on Atlantic Records label. All the songs on the album were previously released on Swan Song Records, a record label beg ...

'' - Compilation * 1986 - ''

Fame and Fortune ''Fame and Fortune'' is the seventh studio album by Bad Company, released in 1986. It was the first album released by the reformed group, featuring original members Mick Ralphs (guitar) and Simon Kirke (drums), with the addition of new frontm ...

'' - Brian Howe replaced Paul Rodgers * 1988 - ''

Dangerous Age ''Dangerous Age'' is the eighth studio album by hard rock band Bad Company. The album was released on August 23, 1988. It was their second album with Brian Howe as lead vocalist and first with Steve Price credited as bass guitarist. It was pro ...

'' * 1990 - ''

Holy Water Holy water is water that has been blessed by a member of the clergy or a religious figure, or derived from a well or spring considered holy. The use for cleansing prior to a baptism and spiritual cleansing is common in several religions, from ...

'' * 1992 - '' Here Comes Trouble'' * 1993 - '' What You Hear Is What You Get: The Best of Bad Company'' - Live album with Howe as lead vocalist * 1995 - '' Company of Strangers'' - Robert Hart replaced Howe as lead vocalist * 1996 - ''

Stories Told & Untold ''Stories Told & Untold'' is the twelfth and final studio album by the English band Bad Company. The album was released on 15 October 1996, through East West. It was their last album with lead vocalist Robert Hart. This album features newly a ...

'' * 1999 - ''

The 'Original' Bad Co. Anthology ''The 'Original' Bad Co. Anthology'' (also ''The 'Original' Bad Company Anthology'') is a compilation album released by Bad Company in 1999 on Elektra Records. In addition to the band's classic hits, it also features four new songs ― the fi ...

'' * 2006 - ''

Live in Albuquerque 1976 ''Live in Albuquerque 1976'' is a live album by the English hard rock band Bad Company featuring all four original members. The recordings were made by Mick Ralphs, who regularly taped the group's shows in the 1970s, so the band could use them ...

'' * 2010 - '' Hard Rock Live'' - Rodgers was back in the lineup * 2011 - '' Live at Wembley'' * 2016 - ''

Live in Concert 1977 & 1979 ''Live in Concert 1977 & 1979'' is a double live album by the English hard rock band Bad Company, released on CD and as an mp3 download in 2016. It is an archival album with recordings taken from two concerts from their tours in 1977 and 1979. D ...

Mick Ralphs Blues Band

* 2013 - ''I Should Know Better'' * 2016 - ''If It Ain't Broke''

Collaborations

* 1971 : ''Under Open Skies'' by

Luther Grosvenor Luther James Grosvenor (born 23 December 1946) is an English rock musician, who played guitar in Spooky Tooth, briefly in Stealers Wheel and, under the pseudonym Ariel Bender, in Mott the Hoople and Widowmaker. Grosvenor was born in Evesha ...

* 1984 : Ralphs toured with

to support his second solo album '' About Face'', with

Gregg Dechert Gregg Dechert (born May 11, 1952, in Listowel, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian keyboardist and guitarist. He was the keyboardist for Uriah Heep between July 1980 and March 1981, replacing Ken Hensley. He also performed keyboards and vocals with Da ...

on keyboards, Mickey Feat on bass, Sue Evans & Jody Linscott on percussions,

Raphael Ravenscroft Raphael Ravenscroft (4 June 1954 – 19 October 2014) was a British musician, composer and author. He is best known for playing the saxophone on Gerry Rafferty's song "Baker Street". Early life While his place of birth is disputed, the En ...

on sax, flute and keyboards and

on drums. No live album has been released but a

of a performance at the Hammersmith Odeon was released in 1984 with special guests: Roy Harper (vocals, percussion) and

Nick Mason Nicholas Berkeley Mason, (born 27 January 1944) is an English drummer and a founder member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. He is the only member to feature on every Pink Floyd album, and the only constant member since its formation in ...

(drums).

References

External links

Official Page for Mick Ralphs

Official Page for Mick Ralphs Blues Band

Official Page for Bad Company

Official Page for Mott The Hoople
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ralphs, Mick 1944 births Living people English rock guitarists English male songwriters Bad Company members Musicians from Hereford British lead guitarists Mott the Hoople members Glam rock musicians