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Mott the Hoople to reunite
They may no longer be, well, young dudes, but nothing short of war, death and famine can stop the 1970s glam-rockers from re-forming for the first time in 35 years
No longer a young dude ... 69-year-old Ian Hunter of 70s glam-rockers Mott the Hoople. Photograph: Gino Domenico/AP
Mott the Hoople are to reform, playing their first gigs in 35 years. Decades after the release of All the Young Dudes – and boasting members who are, well, no longer young dudes – the band's original lineup will reunite for two London gigs.
Singer Ian Hunter, 69, lead guitarist Mick Ralphs, organist Verden Allen, drummer Dale Griffin and bassist Overend Watts are to give performances on 2 and 3 October 2009. Both gigs will take place at the Hammersmith Apollo, which will be renamed the HMV Apollo from 9 March.
Hunter made the announcement online as a casual comment to fans. "Just thought you'd like to know the Mott the Hoople reunion is going to take place," he wrote. "Why are we doing it? I can't speak for the others, but I'm doing it just to see what it's like."
2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the band's formation, although it took the David Bowie-penned All the Young Dudes to usher them into glam-rock history. Bowie wrote the song as a beleaguered Mott the Hoople considered breaking up. Though they turned down Bowie's first suggestion – a little tune called Suffragette City – All the Young Dudes made it almost to the top of the charts.
Mott the Hoople later became pals with Queen, taking the band on tour and inspiring part of the song Now I'm Here.
Though Mott the Hoople did not become arena stars like some of their peers, they still enjoy a fiercely loyal fanbase. The band received renewed attention last year, after appearing on the soundtrack for the surprise hit film Juno.
Hunter said this week that (almost) nothing can keep the re-formed Hoople back. "Short of war, death, famine etc," the sexagenarian boasted, "it's ON."
Tickets for the gigs go on sale 22 January, at £36 and £42.50.
Mott the Hoople to reunite
They may no longer be, well, young dudes, but nothing short of war, death and famine can stop the 1970s glam-rockers from re-forming for the first time in 35 years
- Sean Michaels
- guardian.co.uk, Monday 19 January 2009 12.06 GMT
- Article history
Mott the Hoople are to reform, playing their first gigs in 35 years. Decades after the release of All the Young Dudes – and boasting members who are, well, no longer young dudes – the band's original lineup will reunite for two London gigs.
Singer Ian Hunter, 69, lead guitarist Mick Ralphs, organist Verden Allen, drummer Dale Griffin and bassist Overend Watts are to give performances on 2 and 3 October 2009. Both gigs will take place at the Hammersmith Apollo, which will be renamed the HMV Apollo from 9 March.
Hunter made the announcement online as a casual comment to fans. "Just thought you'd like to know the Mott the Hoople reunion is going to take place," he wrote. "Why are we doing it? I can't speak for the others, but I'm doing it just to see what it's like."
2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the band's formation, although it took the David Bowie-penned All the Young Dudes to usher them into glam-rock history. Bowie wrote the song as a beleaguered Mott the Hoople considered breaking up. Though they turned down Bowie's first suggestion – a little tune called Suffragette City – All the Young Dudes made it almost to the top of the charts.
Mott the Hoople later became pals with Queen, taking the band on tour and inspiring part of the song Now I'm Here.
Though Mott the Hoople did not become arena stars like some of their peers, they still enjoy a fiercely loyal fanbase. The band received renewed attention last year, after appearing on the soundtrack for the surprise hit film Juno.
Hunter said this week that (almost) nothing can keep the re-formed Hoople back. "Short of war, death, famine etc," the sexagenarian boasted, "it's ON."
Tickets for the gigs go on sale 22 January, at £36 and £42.50.
