This page will contain latest snippets of news in the Ian Hunter/Mott The Hoople camp. All of this news is second-hand, and has mostly already appeared on the mailing list; I present it here for completeness.
This page last updated 24th September 2008.
Next year (2009) sees the 40th anniversary of Mott's formation. Original organist Verden Allen let slip in an interview recently that all five members were getting back together for the occasion. It seems two gigs in London (Hammersmith?) are being lined up, with other gigs and maybe an album as well.
Coupled with news that bassist Overend Watts is no longer opposed to a reunion, and unconfirmed reports that drummer Dale Griffin has started practising the drums again (and Overend the bass!) it seems a reunion might be on the cards.
Bear in mind that Watts and Griffin haven't played live for 30 years. I am not privy to any insider information - I know as much as you do. A source close to the band says not to expect anything to be tied down until Spring 2009 at the earliest, so it seems there may be some major hurdles to clear before anything can happen. Do not book plane flights, etc, until everything is 100% confirmed. We've been here before with talk of a reunion, major record label signings, only for it to come to naught.
24th September 2008
Next year sees the 40th anniversary of Mott's formation. To coincide with this, a documentary film/DVD is currently in production. Unlike last year's under review (which was unauthorised), this one is being made with the full cooperation of the band.
The company, Start Productions, was formed four years ago and specialise in films about the bands they love and whose story has not fully been told. Their first documentary film was on the legendary 60's LA band LOVE. The film premiered at the London Film Festival in 2006 and had its US premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2007. The DVD is now on sale (more details here www.myspace.com/lovestorydocumentary).
They tell me that should anyone out there have any film or photos of the band that they'd be happy for them to consider using in the film - please do get in touch.
If/when I have more details, I'll let everyone know.
6th August 2008
A 2-CD Ian/Mott compilation was released in August. Old Records Never Die features one disc covering Mott The Hoople 1969-74, and one disc Ian Hunter 1975-2007.
8th September 2008
A 4-CD live box set was released by Angel Air in August. This is a limited edition of just 2000 copies, and bundles up into one package the 1970 Croydon disc, the 1972 Philadelphia disc and the Live Heaven 2-CD set.
8th September 2008
There have been three recent compilations released. Roll Away The Stone covers Mott The Hoople (1972-74), MOTT but no solo IH stuff. Behind The Shades is a single CD taken mostly from Ian's 2004 Astoria show. All The Young Dudes is a compilation of previously-released live tracks.
(28th May 2008)
The first single from Ian's album Shrunken Heads, When The World Was Round, was released in the UK at the end of November. It comes in three formats: a CD single (b/w Once Bitten Twice Shy (live) and Twisted Steel (live), 7" vinyl single (b/w Words (Big Mouth) (live)) and a DVD single (with the accompanying video and a 20-minute interview). All the live tracks were recorded in the USA in 2007.
(10th December 2007)
The recording of Mott The Hoople's show opening for Free at the Fairfield Hall, Croydon was released on 1st October 2007 on Angel Air (SJPCD250).
Long believed lost or damaged, the tapes have been digitally restored and remastered. Fairfield Halls Live 1970 also includes tracks from Stockholm in 1971.
(14th October 2007)
Ian Hunter's 1995 album, Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry, has been reissued on Cherry Red records. More of a collaborartive work than a fully-fledged solo album it is widely regarded as an Ian Hunter album nonetheless. It is also the first time this album has been released in the UK - previously it was a Norwegian (or American) import.
(27th August 2007)
The official Mott biography, All The Young Dudes - The Biography, has been reprinted by Cherry Red Books. Regarded as the definitive tome by fans (but since disowned by drummer Dale Griffin) it has been out of print for some time.
(27th August 2007)
A Mott The Hoople DVD, Under Review, was released on 7th May on the Chrome Dreams label. It takes the form of a 80-minute documentary but includes a few TV appearances and promo clips.
(26th June 2007)
Ian's new album, Shrunken Heads, was released on 14th May 2007 on the Jerkin' Crocus label in the UK and on 15th May 2007 on Yep Roc Records in the USA, although Yep Roc started dispatching copies at the end of April. Ian has also signed with industry veterans Danny Goldberg and Jack Leitenberg for Gold Village Entertainment.
(26th June 2007)
A British Lions live DVD, One More Chance To Run - Live Germany 1978 (NJPDVD631), was released on Angel Air on 3rd June. This is the only video footage ever recorded of the post-Mott band.
The track listing is as follows:
Running time is approx. 48 minutes. Bonus features include interviews with all five band members (John Fiddler, Overend Watts, Dale Griffin, Morgan Fisher and Ray Majors), and five John Fiddler solo tracks (One More Chance To Run, Big Drift Away, Only The Roses, Return Of The Buffalo, Strong Heart).
The DVD will be NTSC format, all regions. Note: NTSC DVDs are playable in most European equipment.
(26th June 2007)