MOTT THE HOOPLE

My friends and I saw Mott the Hoople twice

at Winterland, SF. Once in 1973, and again in 1974. We met 

the band after one show and got their autographs. The feathers 

above Blue Weaver's autograph were scooped

off the stage by me. I think they were from

Overend Watts' costume. The band was very polite

and accessible. Ariel Bender asked the small crowd of 

fans if anyone had a fag! I think he meant a cigarette. 

Ian Hunter wore his shades even on the dark sidewalks 

of San Francisco late at night. I tried to look through them 

and see into his eyes, but only saw my own refelction. 

You can see our photos and read our 

memoirs of those concerts at - 

BRIT ROCK BY THE BAY

I grabbed Buffin's broken 

drum stick off the stage.

The book by 

Willard Manus that 

was the source for 

their name. It was

published in 1966.

Mott's first albums received

mixed reviews. Mostly unfavorable.

The albums did not

sell well, either. 

Mott shot to top of the charts
with the help of David Bowie.
The accounts of that event are
talked about in different interviews
and with different details. 

This article came out a month

before we saw them the first time 

and about the time Mick Ralphs

left the band.

This article from CIRCUS Magazine 

came out on 10/73, one month 

after we saw them. Mick Ralphs and Verden 

Allen had both left the band. 

This show was one day before 

we saw them at Winterland. 

Aerosmith played that show, too.

I wish I had seen this one!

Creative differences lead to
both Verden Allen and Mick Ralphs'
departure. Luther Grosvenor, (Ariel Bender),
replaced Ralphs. Blue Weaver from the
Strawbs and Amen Corner, replaced
Verden Allen. Ralphs had much success
with Bad Company. Allen's
career was not so successful.
Blue Weaver was soon replaced
by Morgan Fisher. The band
never achieved the same
level of success.

Like most things in life,

they reach a peak and decline. 

Sometimes slowly, other times rather 

fast. Mott's rise to the heights and descent

happened in 3 or 4 years. 

Their imprint has lasted decades. 

There were hopes of the band
reforming with new blood in the
form of Mick Ronson, ex Bowie
guitarist and Spider from Mars!
That did not happen and both
Hunter and Ronson pursued
solo careers.

Melody Maker 9/28/74

Mott's first album and inside cover art. 

M. C. Escher posters became 

popular with the baby boomer

generation in the 60s. 

Mott's Second album, "Mad Shadows"

Their third album, although good, 

had poor sales. Mick Ralphs wrote 

more songs on this than Ian Hunter. 

"Brain Capers" was recorded in only 

five days and the sound was "muddy"

according to Mick Ralphs. 

Still a good album. 

Mott's breakthrough album. Mick Ralphs

wrote "Ready for Love" for this. He took it

with him and recorded it with Bad Company, too. 

A great song. 

MOTT was a major success

for the band.

This is my copy of Bad Company's 

first single, which was a 

big hit for them.

Their first album without 

Mick Ralphs. Most of the songs

were by Ian Hunter. 

The live album back cover
shows the marionettes
that hung on stage. They referred to
a song by Ian Hunter where he
sings, "Marionette, I
ain't one yet!" Always
the independent.

Mott changed labels a few times.

Ariel Bender was really

Luther Grosvenor from Spooky Tooth

and Steeler's Wheel. That is him on 

the far right.

His first solo album.

After Mott, he formed a new
band, Widowmaker.

Blue Weaver had recently 

left the Strawbs. That group had 

become unraveled due to 

creative differences. 

He started out in a group

called Amen Corner.

That is him on the upper left. 

Mick Ronson decided not to 

join Mott and instead recorded

his first solo album. 

He died in 1993.

Read more about Mick Ronson

Mott the Hoople disbanded, but 

continued on with Buffin, Overend 

Watts and Morgan Fisher as 

British Lions. They recorded two albums. 

Ian Hunter's first solo album

was a beautiful package going

back to M.C. Escher-inspired graphics

for the cover. He finally gives

us a glimpse of his eyes.

All songs were written by Hunter, except

for one,"Boy", which was co-written

by Mick Ronson. Ronson played

on the album, too.

A man of music and words, Ian hunter

penned a book about his life on 

the road as a rock star. 

Hunter was always very outspoken 

and told it as he saw it. I am reminded

of the song sung by Bob Hope, "Thanks for the 

Memories"and the line, "You may have been

 a headache, but you never were a bore."