Michael Geoffrey Ralphs (born 31 March 1944)^[1] is an English retired guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who was a founding member of rock bandsMott the Hoople andBad Company.^[2] Though not a constant member, he appeared on every studio album by both bands.

Mick Ralphs
Ralphs in 1976
Background information
Birth name	Michael Geoffrey Ralphs
Born	(1944-03-31)31 March 1944 (age 81) Stoke Lacy,Herefordshire, England
Origin	Hereford, Herefordshire, England
Genres	Hard rock blues rock glam rock
Occupations	Musician songwriter
Instruments	Guitar vocals
Years active	1964–2016
Formerly of	Mott the Hoople Bad Company David Gilmour Band Ian Hunter Rant Band
Website	www.facebook.com/mickralphsbluesband

Ralphs began his career as a teenager, playing withblues-rock band the Buddies.^[3] He released a single with that group in 1964 before joining theMod 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 theDavid Bowie-produced albumAll the Young Dudes, though he appeared on select tracks of the albumThe Hoople.

Upon exiting Mott the Hoople, he foundedBad Company along with vocalistPaul Rodgers from the bandFree.^[3] The band's debut album in 1974 included the Ralphs'-pennedhit "Can't Get Enough",^[3] for which Ralphs tuned his guitar in theopen-C tuningC-C-G-C-E-C, stating, "It never really sounds right in standard tuning. It needs the open C to have that ring."^[4] The debut album reached number one in the United States.^[3] Ralphs continued torecord andtour with Bad Company until the original band folded in 1982.

In 1984 he toured withPink Floyd guitaristDavid Gilmour on Gilmour'sAbout Face tour, although he did not play on the album. In 1985, he released a solo album,Take This, which includedFree's and Bad Company's drummerSimon Kirke.^[5] He teamed up with future Bad Company guitaristDave Colwell for a limited four-run live support of the album, which also featured drummerChris Slade ofManfred Mann's Earth Band and keyboard player Lindsay Bridgewater, who performed withOzzy Osbourne.^[5] He did one performance with a band called Cold Turkey.^[5]

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 extremefear of flying.^[6]

Ralphs second solo albumIt's All Good, aninstrumental, came out in 2001.^[3] Two years later hisThat's Life – Can't Get Enough album was released, including a demo version of "Can't Get Enough".^[7]

In 2004, he once again teamed up with former Mott colleagueIan Hunter, playing second lead guitar (along with Andy York) on Hunter's UK tour.^[5] Ralphs performed at Hunter's 2005 concert at theLondon Astoria, with Ralphs performing a guitar solo to "All the Way from Memphis".

On 2 July 2008, it was announced that the original line-up of Bad Company (minusBoz Burrell who died in September 2006) would do a one-off gig at theHard Rock Hotel and Casino inHollywood, Florida on 8 August 2008.^[8] 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".^[9]

Mott the Hoople, including Ralphs, reunited for two shows at the Blake Theatre inMonmouth close toRockfield Studios where they rehearsed before playing five concerts at theHammersmith Apollo inLondon, during September and October 2009. All five of the original members participated in the reunion withMartin 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 inHigh 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 inAscot, 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 andLynyrd Skynyrd jointly toured throughout the United States and Canada, initially commemorating the 40th anniversary of Skynyrd's first album release and Bad Company's formation.^[10]

In 2016, Bad Company announced a US tour withJoe Walsh. Ralphs initially announced that he would not be participating in this tour and thatRich Robinson ofthe Black Crowes would be standing in for him. In June 2016, the group announced a UK arena tour with special guestsRichie Sambora andOrianthi culminating in a show at London'sO2 Arena 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.^[11] 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.

• Mott the Hoople –Gibson Les Paul Junior,^[12]Gibson Firebird (Single Pick-Up),Gibson SG,Fender Telecaster
• Bad Company – Fender Telecaster,Fender Stratocaster,Gibson Les Paul Standard,Fender Esquire,Gibson Flying V – "Feel Like Making Love"video
• Recently – Gibson 1957/1959 Custom Shop re-issue Gibson Les Paul Standards
• Fender Stratocaster fitted with a 2TEK bridge

• "Rock and Roll Queen"
• "Ready For Love"
• "Can't Get Enough"
• "Good Lovin' Gone Bad"
• "Movin' On"
• "One of the Boys" withIan Hunter
• "Feel Like Makin' Love" withPaul Rodgers
• "Flying Hour" withGeorge Harrison
• "Oh, Atlanta" (recorded originally by Bad Company on the albumDesolation Angels; later covered byAlison Krauss)^[13]

• 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

• 1969 -Mott the Hoople
• 1970 -Mad Shadows
• 1971 -Wildlife
• 1971 -Brain Capers
• 1972 -All the Young Dudes
• 1972 -Rock and Roll Queen (compilation album)
• 1973 -Mott
• 1974 -The Hoople - Ralphs sang backup vocals on "Pearl 'n' Roy (England)" and played rhythm guitar on "Roll Away the Stone".

• 1974 -Bad Company
• 1975 -Straight Shooter
• 1976 -Run With The Pack
• 1977 -Burnin' Sky
• 1979 -Desolation Angels
• 1982 -Rough Diamonds
• 1985 -10 from 6 - Compilation
• 1986 -Fame and Fortune
• 1988 -Dangerous Age
• 1990 -Holy Water
• 1992 -Here Comes Trouble
• 1993 -What You Hear Is What You Get: The Best of Bad Company - Live album
• 1995 -Company of Strangers
• 1996 -Stories Told & Untold
• 1999 -The 'Original' Bad Co. Anthology
• 2006 -Live in Albuquerque 1976
• 2010 -Hard Rock Live
• 2011 -Live at Wembley
• 2016 -Live in Concert 1977 & 1979

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

• 1971 :Under Open Skies byLuther Grosvenor
• 1984 : Ralphs toured withDavid Gilmour to support his second solo albumAbout Face, withGregg Dechert on keyboards, Mickey Feat on bass,Sue Evans &Jody Linscott on percussions,Raphael Ravenscroft on sax, flute and keyboards andChris Slade on drums. No live album has been released but avideo of a performance at the Hammersmith Odeon was released in 1984 with special guests:Roy Harper (vocals, percussion) andNick Mason (drums).

• List of Gibson players
• List of guitarists

• Official Page for Mick Ralphs
• Official Page for Mick Ralphs Blues Band
• Official Page for Bad Company
• Official Page for Mott The Hoople