Mick

Mick Ralphs, the guitarist and co-founder of stylish ‘70s rockers Mott the Hoople and the supergroup Bad Company, has died. He was 81.

Ralphs’ death was confirmed in a statement from his representative, though no exact date or cause of death was given.

“Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground,” Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers said in a statement. “He has left us with exceptional songs and memories. He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an amazing and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humour. Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh but it won’t be our last. There are many memories of Mick that will create laughter. Condolences to everyone who loved him especially his one true love, Susie. I will see you in heaven.”

Born in 1944 in Herefordshire, England, Ralphs co-founded the Doc Thomas Group in the mid-1960’s, which signed to Island after some lineup changes and revamped as Mott the Hoople. Ralphs’ songwriting and guitar work in that band helped move rock ‘n’ roll out of the psychedelic ‘60s and into the struts and arty pomp of ‘70s glam. The band’s raucous live shows won a devoted following — future collaborator David Bowie and Mick Jones of the Clash were early fans — but chart success eluded them.

At Bowie’s behest, the group changed management and got a career jolt when he gifted them his song “All The Young Dudes,” which made their 1972 LP of the same name a global hit. The band’s follow-up, “Mott,” was also a smash, sporting singles “All the Way From Memphis” and “Honaloochie Boogie.”

Yet Ralphs had ambitions beyond the band, and departed in 1973 to join ex-Free members Rodgers and Simon Kirke and former King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell in a new supergroup.

Bad Company became one of the first acts to sign with Zeppelin’s Swan Song label, and immediately found global success. Its 1974 self-titled debut went five times platinum, on strength of hits like “Can’t Get Enough” and a retooled take of Ralphs’ “Ready for Love,” which he’d originally recorded with Mott the Hoople. A follow-up, “Straight Shooter,” featured the classic rock staple “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and Bad Company remained chart fixtures until breaking up in 1982.

Ralphs joined Mott the Hoople for a reunion tour in 2009, and performed in several reunited incarnations of Bad Company and his own Mick Ralphs Blues Band until suffering a stroke in 2016, which confined him to bed in his final years. His last performance with Bad Company was in 2016, at London’s O2 Arena. That group will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year.

“He was a dear friend, a wonderful songwriter, and an exceptional guitarist,” said Bad Company drummer Kirke, in a statement. “We will miss him deeply.”

Ralphs is survived by partner Susie Chavasse, his two children and three step-children.

Coronation Street’s Kit Green makes a shocking discovery next week on the ITV soap that paves the way for deadly scenes on the ITV soap involving villain Mick Michaelis

There’s a jaw-dropping moment for one Coronation Street character next week and it could change everything.

Kit Green will feature in a life-changing twist, with a discovery leading to some deadly scenes on the ITV soap. One moment in upcoming episodes, following a flashback special, will see Kit uncover something truly shocking.

As he considers what he’s discovered he’s warned off, but it seems he might let slip something leading to an explosive set of episodes. A new spoiler video reveals the moment when Kit comes face-to-face with a new character, only for him to realise he shares a link with them.

Something the character says rings alarm bells for Kit who literally stops in his tracks, and the penny seems to drop. With that he has one question, before he’s told something that possibly backs up what he thinks he’s uncovered.

In the clip Kit pins Brody Michaelis up against a wall after he steals from the corner shop, where Kit’s mother Bernie Winter works. Given Kit asks for Brody’s name in the scene, it hints Kit is unaware he is the son of Lou and Mick Michaelis – while he did see him with the pair last week.

READ MORE: Coronation Street Craig Tinker’s death ‘revealed’ in first look at ‘horrific’ final scenes

All has just been revealed about Mick and Lou’s past with Kit, with the trio being friends when they were teens. It all fell apart though, as revealed in Friday’s flashback episode, when Mick was sent to prison for a crime Kit was involved in.

Mick took the fall and Kit soon fled, never seeing Mick or Lou again until now. Kit also realised Lou and Mick had a son, and he appeared to clock on that Lou was pregnant back when they knew each other, or that she had a baby not long after they went their separate ways.

With that it’s become apparent that something happened between Kit and Lou in the past, and Mick has no idea. So Kit’s run-in with Brody next week opens up a can of worms when he finds out Brody’s birthday.

Taking down some personal details, Brody reveals his name and that he was born in January 2009. As soon as he hears this Kit stops writing and looks very shocked, realising this was around the time he last saw Lou and Mick was sent away.

Questioning whether he could be the real father of Brody he confronts Brody’s mother Lou. He says: “Is he mine? Lou, could Brody be mine?”

Lou doesn’t even deny it and absolutely hints Kit is correct. Telling him “not to rock the boat”, she responds: “Mick loves him. He’s his dad and has been for 16 years. Please don’t do this.”

But spoilers for next week reveal that Kit will make Mick reconsider Lou’s loyalty with a comment. So does Kit tell Mick that he might be Brody’s dad? After all Mick does find out the truth, as actor Joe Layton teased the villain would be “blindsided” to find out that something happened between them, and that he might not be Brody’s biological father.

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .