Ian Hunter

Ian Hunter was one of the most inventive rock writers of the early '70s paving the way for the decade's 'New Wave' with his thought-provoking, honest and gritty songs. As a solo performer he has also succeeded with an impressive catalogue of superb albums and a dedicated following.

Ian was invited to join Mott the Hoople with none of them realising at the time that the singer-songwriter would soon become their most valuable asset. Mott the Hoople recorded four albums for Island Records between 1969 and 1971. Their debut Mott the Hoople reached #66 in the UK charts and was heavily Dylan-influenced under Stevens' direction while Mad Shadows (UK #48) was a darker affair with Hunter's writing prominent. Wildlife (UK #44) had a gentler atmosphere as exemplified by Ian's beautiful composition 'Waterlow' but Mott also aimed for singles chart success recording 'Midnight Lady' with renowned American producer Shadow Morton. The astonishing punk-primer, Brain Capers became the band's Island swansong and they went down blazing - literally - taping the album with Guy in only five days and trashing and burning Basing Street Studios in the process. 'The Moon Upstairs' was one of the resultant tracks, a song covered by The Dictators which gave credence to the godfathers-of-punk claim subsequently levelled at Mott.

Ian Hunter had rapidly become a writer of considerable merit with songs such as 'Backsliding Fearlessly', 'Half Moon Boy', 'Walking With a Mountain', 'I Can Feel', 'Angel of Eighth Avenue' and 'The Journey', often encouraging the band to break new ground. Mott was also a significant concert draw and a dynamic powerful unit watched and admired by Slade, Status Quo and King Crimson's Robert Fripp. Led by the inspiring and communicative Hunter, Mott generated a fervent live following and was responsible for a ban on rock concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall after 'damage' was caused by the 'riotous behaviour' of their audience. Inexplicably, however, they could not convert this euphoria into record sales - so Mott split!

In the nick of time, soon-to-be superstar David Bowie, who was a secret Hoople admirer, offered them one of his finest songs, 'All the Young Dudes' re-uniting the group and giving them another shot at greatness. 'Dudes' became one of 1972's biggest and most distinctive singles, reaching #3 in the UK charts and propelling Mott towards mainstream success.

Ian had become Mott's undisputed leader and as their virtual sole songwriter he composed some fearsome and percipient songs including a frantic operetta, 'Marionette' and 'Crash Street Kidds' for the band's final studio album. The Hoople (UK #11) was another huge chart success as Hunter blazed across the front pages of the world's music press and Mott's popularity soared. The image of the band had become iconic with Ian's mysterious shades and identifiable corkscrew hair to say nothing of their 'flash-rock' attire and penchant for spectacular guitars, notably Hunter's infamous 'Maltese Cross'. In May 1974 Mott was the first rock band ever to sell out a week of Broadway concerts in New York's theatre-land and Ian's book Diary of a Rock 'n' Roll Star was universally acclaimed. It was a peak period for the group.

Hunter launched a solo career in 1975 and went on to deliver many highly acclaimed albums including Ian Hunter (UK #21), All-American Alien Boy (UK #29), You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic (US #35) and Welcome to the Club (US #35). More classic songs abounded including 'Once Bitten Twice Shy', 'Boy', 'You Nearly Did Me In', 'Cleveland Rocks' and 'Standing in my Light' and some of Ian's records were bravely eclectic, such as Short Back 'N' Sides, produced by Mick Jones of The Clash.

After rumour and counter-rumour and against all the odds, in October 2009, Ian and the original members of Mott the Hoople played five nights at London's Hammersmith Odeon, the scene of the band's 1973 swashbuckling Mott the Hoople Live album and another legendary crowd riot! Described as one of the most rapturously received re-union gigs in recent memory, Young Dudes, Old Dudes, Sea Divers and Hot Motts were ecstatic as the band celebrated their 40th Anniversary. Mott the Hoople also received a 2009 Mojo Hall of Fame Award.

Ian played a UK tour in 2010 including a concert filmed at London's Union Chapel and set out in 2011 to write once more in anticipation of his twentieth studio album both as Mott-man and solo artist. With the astonishing trilogy of Rant, Shrunken Heads and Man Overboard, Hunter has proved that he is probably on the hottest song writing streak of his illustrious career. Ian Hunter was the musical and lyrical powerhouse in Mott the Hoople, one of rock's most valuable groups. He subsequently rejected lucrative offers to reform the band and resisted posts with Uriah Heep and The Doors as he carved out an enviable solo repertoire. He has been cited as a major inspiration for numerous artists including The Clash, Def Leppard, Kiss, R.E.M., Oasis, Motley Crue, Blur and Primal Scream. His musical influence remains immeasurable with over 150 different cover versions of songs from his astonishing archive and he has worked with many musical legends including Queen, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, John Cale, Mick Ronson, David Sanborn and Ringo Starr. Hide