Mott The Hoople

Original Line-up.
Stan Tippens – Vocals
Mick Ralphs – Guitars, Vocals
Overend Watts – Bass
Dale “Buffin” Griffin – Drums
Verdon Allen – Keyboards

Ian Hunter – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards 1969
Ariel Bender – Guitars 1973
Morgan Fisher – Keyboards 1974
Mick Ronson – Guitars 1974

In 1971, the group caused a mini-riot at London’s Albert Hall, which resulted in the hall management’s decision to ban rock completely.

Our story starts with a band from Hereford in the west of England called Silence. In 1969 they decided to audition for a singer/pianist, and at the audition Ian Hunter turned up wearing a donkey jacket, open-toed sandals, and a pair of thick black shades. Apparently it was the black shades that got him the job. They then decided to recore their first album Mott the Hoople, which they decided as their stage name as well. The name was derided from ” a character in a book by Willard Manus. He wrote a book called Mott the Hoople. It was about a guy name Norman Mott. A hoople is a hobo. Every chapter was Mott the this or Mott the that. One chapter was Mott the Hoople. ”

They then commenced their gigs, and soon gained a loyal following. They recorded several albums but were better known for their live gigs. After the release of Mott The Hoople’s fourth album, Brain Capers in ’72, the group was ready to break-up when David Bowie stepped in to give the band a more focused glam-rock image and a breakthrough single. He first offered them Suffragette City, but the band wanted Drive In Saturday which Bowie refused to give up. The band excepted another Bowie tune, All The Young Dudes. Bowie produced the album of the same name and Mott The Hoople had a single that became an anthem of sorts to glitter rock. In 1974, their guitarist left and Mick Ronson ( formely with Bowie ) joined. This gave Ian Hunter a spur into writing new material, the new look Hoople toured Europe. During a week break in their schedule, Ian Hunter flew to the USA to check on the progress of his new house, while their he collapsed through mental exhaustion. Hunter recovered, but felt he couldn’t go on. The UK tour was cancelled and MTH were no more.

“I myself saw them at the Dagenham, Roundhouse, and my memories were seeing Buffin on drums with his extra large sticks, which he played on All the Young Dudes on Top of the Pops. They were an excellent band live, and surprising when you look at their gig list, the quality of bands that supported them at their peek. Here is a list of their concerts and note which bands supported them”……http://www.justabuzz.com/mth-0-gig.shtml

ALBUMS
Mott The Hoople (1969)
Mad Shadows (1970)
Wildlife (album) (1971)
Brain Capers (1971)
All The Young Dudes (1972)
Mott (1973)
The Hoople (1974)
Live (1974)

Singles
Rock and Roll Queen (1969).
Midnight Lady (1971).
Downtown (1971).
All the Young Dudes (1972)
Honaloochie Boogie (1973)
All the Way From Memphis (1973)
Roll Away the Stone (1973)
The Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll (1974)
Foxy, Foxy (1974)
Saturday Gigs (1974)

Biography written by Rockerator