“It's hard to be an artist. It's hard to be anything. It's hard to be.”
- Bill Murray
We lost a good many significant folks in the music world this past year. I've mentioned Todd Snider and what a loss he was for the world I live in. We also lost heavyweights like Brian Wilson, Ozzy Osborne, Sly Stone, Steve Cropper, Rick Derringer and several more. One I wanted to mention that probably didn't show up on most people's radar but sure did mine was the death of Mick Ralphs.
Who was that, you say? Ralphs was born in England in 1944. He played guitar and wrote songs for the the British rock band Mott the Hoople and after leaving that group, formed Bad Company with Paul Rodgers from Free. Mott the Hoople was a modestly successful enterprise, but it was really with Bad Company that Ralphs found his sweet spot. In teaming up with Rodgers, who I consider the greatest male voice in rock n roll, a potent chemistry was realized. They were the first band to sign with Led Zeppelin's Swan Song record label. When they released their eponymous first album in 1974, it went five-times platinum with songs like Movin' On and Can't Get Enough of Your Love. They had a string of successful albums that finished out the 70s.
Ralphs was never a prototypical rock guitarist. He didn't look the part, he wasn't flashy, he didn't strike a pose, he didn't seem dangerous, he wasn't bad-boy good lookin'. It was the same with his playing style, he wasn't show-offy, no extended, indulgent solos. He didn't shred for shredding sake, and he never lit a guitar on fire. No glory hound was he. He was a workman-like, understated, meat and potatoes player, providing whatever the song needed - crunchy power chords, tasty fills or some sweet acoustic picking. And yet, so many of his licks are forever in my head. I am grateful for what he left me.
Ironically, Bad Company is set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the upcoming class. Now, don't even get me started on the sorry collection of numbskulls that run that outfit. Do you know who is in the Rock Hall already? Ahead of Bad Company we have the likes of Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, Bon Jovi, The Dells, Gene Pitney, Joan Jett? Are you kidding me? Ahead of Bad Company? It's nonsense and it's embarrassing. They wait until this late date to vote them in and now a co-founder has passed away and can't enjoy the honor (such as it is). Disgusting. I hope Paul Rodgers steps up to the podium on induction night and lets them know it.
Mick Ralphs passed away on June 23 this year. Rest in peace, you rock ‘n’ roll everyman.