It’s a talent to not overplay, and that was what made Mick Ralphs, who died today at the age of 81, so special. A guitarist in two great groups where strutting one’s stuff seemed like a requirement, he remained modest, churning up riffs and laying down licks which lodged themselves in the listener’s memory right away. No wonder the first three BAD COMPANY platters started with Ralphs’ songs, with “Can’t Get Enough” an instant classic, yet the pieces Mick had penned for MOTT THE HOOPLE, “Thunderbuck Ram” being most representative of his style, felt no less infectious.
He lived for the music, and visual image meant nothing for Ralphs: Mick was more than happy to wear simple shirt and jeans, weaving understated magic to make ballads like “Ready For Love” – which got recorded by both collectives he co-founded – and rockers like “One Of The Boys” or “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – which he co-wrote with, respectively, with Ian Hunter and Paul Rodgers – outstanding examples of bluesy pop. This is why, perhaps, the veteran has never had a proper solo career, leaving behind a legacy of three studio albums credited to him and one to MICK RALPHS BLUES BAND, all excellent examples of his gifts as songwriter and instrumentalist who could go beyond the restrictions of stellar ensembles when he wanted to. There could have been more catchy from Ralphs if not for debilitating stroke he suffered nine years ago and put a stop to Mick’s work.
Fans hoped he would attend the induction ceremony in November and get welcomed in person into Rock ‘n’ Roll of fame as part of BAD CO – as MOTT sadly never made the cut – yet it wasn’t to be. A humble hero, he will be missed by many.
