I generally don't mind getting old, but one of the main drawbacks of doing so is seeing your musical heroes pass away. Although many will know Mick Ralphs from his forming of Bad Company, it will always be his time in Mott The Hoople that is it for me.
Mott The Hoople were my band and it was the Mott album that introduced a council estate kid to how glorious the longer format could be. That album still sounds magnificent and it was Mick's Mott Swanson. His playing on that album is priceless and complemented Ian Hunter's strut. It is hard to believe that the promo photo above from that album now only has Hunter still with us.
Although the band are known more for the Glam singles, it is the work before that has always kept my interest peaked. Those Island label years had Hunter and Ralphs as co-leaders and the sheer nerve of the noise that they created contrasted with Ralph's more mellow Country Rock influences. Although both wrote the songs, Ralphs always seemed a more laidback songwriter. Wildlife was dominated by Ralph's songwriting and remains a superb listen.
Yes he could Rock as Bad Company proved even more particularly on the Straight Shooter album. It is an album that rattles your dentures. Seeing the band back together for the 2009 Reunion dates was something that stays close to my heart. Grown men were in tears, me included.
Another key figure of my informative musical years has gone.A great Guitarist who was always about the band. Self effacing and happy to take a backseat to strong front men. He was a major part in both bands and one of the most underrated guitarists around.
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