Fans across the globe are mourning the loss of Mick Ralphs, the legendary British guitarist and founding member of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople. Ralphs passed away at 81, the band confirmed Monday on their official website.

His death comes nearly a decade after a stroke left him bedridden in 2016 — just days after performing his final show with Bad Company at London’s O2 Arena.

“Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground,” said Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers. “He was my friend, my songwriting partner, and a guitarist with a brilliant sense of humor.”