In June 2025, Michael Geoffrey Ralphs died aged 81. He was musician (guitar), vocalist and songwriter, member of the bands Buddies, Doc Thomas Group and Mick Ralphs Blues Band, but was best known as founding member of Mott the Hoople and Bad Company. As leader, he released three albums.
Tag Archives: Bad Company
Bad Company: Desolation Angels

On March 17, 1979, “Swan Song” label released “Desolation Angels” the fifth Bad Company studio album. It was recorded August – September 1978, at “Ridge Farm Studio” in Surrey, UK, and was produced by Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell and Simon Kirke.
Personnel:
- Paul Rodgers – vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizers
- Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards
- Boz Burrell – bass
- Simon Kirke – drums
Track listing:
All tracks by Paul Rodgers except where noted.
- Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy
- Crazy Circles
- Gone Gone Gone – Boz Burrell
- Evil Wind
- Early in the Morning
- Lonely for Your Love – Mick Ralphs
- Oh, Atlanta – Mick Ralphs
- Take the Time – Mick Ralphs
- Rhythm Machine – Simon Kirke, Boz Burrell
- She Brings Me Love
Doc Pomus
On March 14, 1991, Jerome Solon Felder aka Doc Pomus died aged 65. He was singer and songwriter, co-writer (together with Mort Shuman) of big number of hits, many of them became rock and roll standards, including: “A Teenager in Love”, “Save The Last Dance For Me”, “Hushabye”, “This Magic Moment”, “Turn Me Loose”, “Sweets For My Sweet”, “Go, Jimmy, Go”, “Little Sister”, “Can’t Get Used to Losing You”, “Suspicion”, “Surrender” and “His Latest Flame”. He also co-wrote with Phil Spector few successful tracks including “Young Boy Blues”, “Ecstasy”, “First Taste of Love” and “What Am I to Do?” His songs were performed by hundreds of artists including The Beatles, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Bad Company, Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Buble, Dolly Parton, Joe Cocker, ZZ Top, Emmy Lou Harris, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Harry Nilsson, John Hiatt, The Beach Boys, B.B. King, Dion, The New York Dolls, Shawn Colvin and Los Lobos. As singer Pomus performed with Milt Jackson, Mickey Baker, and King Curtis. In 1991 he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, in 1992, in the “Songwriters Hall of Fame”, and in 2012 into the “Blues Hall of Fame”.
Keith Olsen
On March 9, 2020, Keith Alan Olsen died aged 74. He was music producer and sound engineer, worked on more than 100 albums. As producer he earned 24 Platinum and 14 multi-Platinum album certifications. He has worked with many artists including Eternity’s Children, The Millennium, James Gang, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Sons of Champlin, Grateful Dead, Bob Weir, Foreigner, Santana, The Babys, Rick Springfield, Pat Benatar, Sammy Hagar, Rick Springfielld, Heart, Kim Carnes, Joe Walsh, 38 Special, Bad Company, Saga, Whitesnake, Starship, Carlos Santana, Ozzy Osbourne, Night Ranger, Kingdom Come, Magnum, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Journey, Eddie Money, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Scorpions.
Anthony Howe
On May 6, 2020, Brian Anthony Howe died aged 66. He was singer – songwriter, member of the band White Spirit, worked with Ted Nugent, but best known as lead vocalist of the band Bad Company. Howe recorded three solo albums.
Bad Company: Fame And Fortune
On October 22, 1986, “Atlantic” label released “Fame and Fortune”, the seventh Bad Company studio album. It was recorded in 1986, at “The Sol Berkshire”, and was produced by Keith Olsen.
Personnel:
- Brian Howe– vocals, saxophone
- Mick Ralphs– guitar, keyboards
- Steve Price – bass
- Simon Kirke– drums
- Gregg Dechert– keyboards, guitar
- Stuart Epps, Brian Foraker, Jay Healy – engineer
- Mick Jones – mixing, executive producer
- Frank Filipetti – mixing
- Sid Pryce – technician
Track listing:
- Burning Up – Mick Ralph, Mick Jones
- This Love – Brian Howe, Andy Andy Fretwell
- Fame and Fortune – Mick Ralph
- That Girl – Brian Howe, Mick Ralphs
- Tell It Like It Is – Brian Howe, Mick Ralphs
- Long Walk – Brian Howe, Gregg Dechert
- Hold on My Heart – Brian Howe, Gregg Dechert, Mick Jones
- Valerie – Brian Howe, Mick Ralphs
- When We Made Love – Brian Howe, Simon Kirke, John Bettis
- If I’m Sleeping – Brian Howe, Mick Ralphs, Simon Kirke, Gregg Dechert
Peter Grant
On November 21, 1995, Peter James “G” Grant died aged 60. He was music manager, working with Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, The Jeff Beck Group, Terry Reid, The New Vaudeville Band, Bad Company, Maggie Bell, The Nashville Teens and Stone the Crows. He was known as “one of the most ruthless and successful managers in rock history”.
Bad Company: Rough Diamonds
In August 1982, “Swan Song” label released “Rough Diamonds”, the sixth Bad Company studio album. It was recorded March – April 1981, at “Ridge Farm Studios” in Surrey, UK, and was produced by Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Simon Kirke and Boz Burrell. It was the last band’s album with the original line-up.
Personnel:
- Paul Rodgers– vocals, guitar, piano
- Mick Ralphs– guitar, slide guitar, keyboards
- Boz Burrell– bass
- Simon Kirke– drums
- John Cook – piano, synthesizer
- Mel Collins– saxophone
Track listing:
- Electricland – Paul Rodgers
- Untie the Knot – Paul Rodgers; Simon Kirke
- Nuthin’ on the TV – Boz Burrell
- Painted Face – Paul Rodgers
- Kickdown – Mick Ralphs
- Ballad of the Band – Boz Burrell
- Cross Country Boy – Paul Rodgers
- Old Mexico – Mick Ralphs
- Downhill Ryder – Paul Rodgers
- Racetrack
Bad Company: Holy Water
On June 12, 1990, “Atco” label released “Holy Water”, the ninth Bad Company studio album. It was recorded 1989 – 1990, and was produced by Tony Harris, Andrew Scarth and Terry Thomas. The album was certified Platinum in US by the “RIIA”.
Personnel:
- Brian Howe– lead vocals, saxophone
- Mick Ralphs– guitar
- Terry Thomas- guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Felix Krish – bass guitar
- Simon Kirke– lead and backing vocals, drums, acoustic guitar
Track listing:
All tracks by Brian Howe and Terry Thomas, except where noted.
- Holy Water
- Walk Through Fire
- Stranger Stranger – Brian Howe, Simon Kirke, Terry Thomas
- If You Needed Somebody
- Fearless
- Lay Your Love on Me – Mick Ralphs
- Boys Cry Tough
- With You in a Heartbeat
- I Don’t Care
- Never Too Late – Mick Ralphs, Terry Thomas
- Dead of the Night – Mick Ralphs, Terry Thomas
- I Can’t Live Without You – Mick Ralphs, Terry Thomas
- 100 Miles – Simon Kirke
Bad Company: Straight Shooter
In April 1975, “Island” label released “Straight Shooter”, the second Bad Company studio album. It was recorded in September 1974 at “Clearwell Castle” in Gloucestershire, and was produced by Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Simon Kirke and Boz Burrell. The album design was by Hipgnosis.
Personnel:
- Paul Rodgers– vocals, guitar, piano
- Mick Ralphs– guitar, keyboards
- Boz Burrell– bass
- Simon Kirke– drums
- Rod Nevson – recording, mixing
- George Marino – mastering
- Hipgnosis – artwork, design
Track listing:
- Good Lovin’ Gone Bad – Mick Ralphs
- Feel Like Makin’ Love – Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs
- Weep No More – Simon Kirke
- Shooting Star – Paul Rodgers
- Deal With the Preacher – Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs
- Wild Fire Woman – Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs
- Anna – Simon Kirke
- Call on Me – Paul Rodgers



