Joe Elliott, Ian Hunter ‘Attacked Roadies’ At High Voltage
The truth is out. As many of you have speculated, there was indeed a major bust-up at Classic Rock’s High Voltage Festival involving Joe Elliott, Ian Hunter and a bunch of roadies.
The incident occurred at approximately 8.10pm on Sunday, July 25.
After a set by the Down’N'Outz, Elliott invited Hunter on stage to perform a selection of Mott The Hoople classics.
Unfortunately, Hunter only managed two songs before the sound mysteriously cut out…
The Sun newspaper carried the following sensationalist report this past Saturday:
‘Ageing rockers started a mass brawl when they were told to stop playing early.
‘Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott, 50, and rock legend Ian Hunter, 71, charged roadies, wielding their guitars ‘like axes’ after power to their amps was cut off.
‘The pair then kicked off a 30-man punch-up, screaming: “Let’s have it, you bastards!”
‘The battle in London’s Victoria Park started when the pair’s supergroup Down’N'Outz were only allowed two songs because Emerson, Lake And Palmer were due on stage.
‘A roadie said: “It was all in the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.”‘
Classic Rock’s Scott Rowley, who witnessed the scuffle first-hand, clarifies: “Actually, there were only 15 or 20 people fighting.”
For the full, unexpurgated story, make sure you pick up the next issue of Classic Rock (on sale August 18).
Pity they didn’t kill the power before the set!
If Joe Elliott had got Ian Hunter on quicker there would not have been a problem. His fault entirely.
To be honest he should have been more than happy getting such a high slot for a tribute act.
Hopefully next year we wont have an ego trip like Down’n'outz
Such mature grown ups then, don’t get me wrong they were not even given the chance to say bye to the crowd which was unfair. However, at one point Joe Elliot knew he was running out of time becasue he said now we are runing out of time and we have a lot to cram in so he was aware of the time slot?
Great festival though!
yeah two aging rock n rollers wielding guitars against a group of 15 now that’s rock and roll
Actually I was sitting ringside onstage when it kicked off and can safely say that it was a case of an over exubirant Mr Elliott running over dealing with Poundland security who came on furtively looking like Foreigners backing singers.Hunter managed to boot one of the stage neandertals up the backside which prompted one legendary guitarits to quip: ‘See I told you Ian Hunter kicks arse’.
I think Hunter deserves a return slot with his Rant band next year….
It was your bloody festival and YOU (as in Classic Rock) should have sorted it before it got to that. Whether you liked the Down ‘N’ Outz stuff or not, allowing a bunch of ego driven ELP roadies to do that was disgraceful.
Joe knew how much time they had. He went on too long with Down n’ Outz and should have brought Ian out much earlier. Throughout the Down n’ Outz set he was almost apologetic about the unknown songs they were playing. Mott The Hoople were advertised months before in Record Collector and something obviously went tits up with that booking and we were left with this.
Shouldn’t have tried to take the piss and grab more minitues onstage…Elliots fault entirely..
My mate’s got a bar band , d’ya think he can get second billing next year ;o)
I bet that was a lame dust up.. Elliott is about as dangerous as TCP
I was there and saw everything. Down N Outz were the worst band at High Voltage. They were so very tedious, particularly their second rate version of Funeral for a friend/ Love lies bleeding which was frankly embarrasing.
I was actually looking forward to seeing Ian Hunter performing some Mott classics with but due to Elliott keeping playing on and on, there was only very limited time for Ian to perform. He did a brilliant version of Once bitten twice shy, which was the highlight of the whole set. He then played one more song then the stage manager montioned to cut the set, then taped music was played over the PA. I saw Ian wield his guitar at someone but did not see him actually hit anyone. I also do not think any of ELP’s crew were involved.
If Elliot had cut his set by a few songs and allowed Ian to play longer, then it would have been so much better. Curfew’s are curfew’s and I thought the stage crew were right to cut the set. Many fans had travelled from all over the world to see ELP. Infact it would have been better to have had Marillion or Argent supporting ELP. I also thought ELP were great – a brilliant magical atmosphere when they came on.
Heck! Hammersmith ‘73 revisited! I like ELP, but Hunter is rock’n'roll personified. If he booted a neanderthal jobsworth, that’s not very sad.
Nice bit of news to obscure how bloody awful he was…
When old farts attack….Hopefully someone filmed it and stuck it on youtube. I can do with a laugh!
Early they were bloody overunning and should have got Hunter out earlier or was it Hunter who was late?? Total shambles and why blame ELP nonsense they overan and it was sorted so ELP the headliners could play their 90 mins.
Early!!! They were bloody late and in danger of cocking it all up!!! They should have got Hunter out earlier or was it Hunter who was late?? Total shambles and why blame ELP nonsense they overan and it was sorted so ELP the headliners could play their 90 mins.
I thought they were terrible. ASIA would have been a better bet then i wouldnt have had to run around between BLS, h&h and them
What a bunch of tits
Down ‘n’ Outz were allocated 80mins, and by my reckoning had been onstage 75mins when the plug was pulled. If they were 5mins late taking to the stage due to no fault of their own, they should have been allowed the 5mins at the end.
The organisers had allowed 35mins to clear the stage and set up ELP, which eventually turned out to be 50mins because ELP took to the stage 15mins late; very little of that time was actually used transforming the stage.
It has been suggested elsewhere that Down ‘n’ Outz were going to play another three songs, and if that is the case there was a serious miscalculation because it would never have been possible in the given time.
loved joe Elliot show planet rock but not keen of his band the down ‘n’ outs and it was his fault they over ran.
Oh, Christ…what a fucking embarrassment.
Surely they’re past this kind of shit by now?
Y’know what would have been better than Down N Outz? Ian Hunter solo. Thats the only reason I was even watching their set.
Got the impression that Gary Moore wanted to do one more number (the crowd wanted more moore) but was told his time was up and to get off…….
we decided to go for food half way through the Outz tedious set so missed all the handbags
Regardless of the circumstances, it was nice to see some classic rock-orientated stuff reported in the national media for a change.
Plus, it’s heartening to see that real rock star behaviour ain’t dead yet. Classic Rock, you should invite Axl next year for a full-on temper tantrum!!!!
The sound was not mysteriously cut at 8:10. Their slot ended at 8:10 and they wouldn’t come off so the sound was cut. ELP was not the issue. The Down’n'Outz plus Hunter had 80 minutes. Plenty of time to do whatever they wanted to do. They cocked up on the time so were booted off.
Hunter and Elliott are a bunch of tits. I mean, great for them to get in the paper I guess. Abit of media coverage but like someone else said, they were lucky to have such a highlight slot.
I went to see Down instead because In knew they would be shit.
Yeah like many I was there too. People are right in what they say. Was Joe Elliots fault really, he knew he was running out of time but completed his set before inviting Ian on stage. To me he should have cut a song of his out to allow the full three songs to include ian hunter. Basically at the cut off time slot they tried it on to squeeze a bit more time. They all have ear pieces with info coming in from offstage so they know what time they have. Plus Joe kept talking to side of stage management who i might add motioned them to carry on with one last song at the end. Who actually pulled the plug i dont know but being the legend character that he is ian didnt take kindly to it and started arguing with stage technicians. Never seen guys look so humble. literally bowing down to him, so apologetic. Yes its true that ian was threatening with guitar above his head and when other technicians or whoever had their say ian grabs one and starts riving about the stage ( all on the side not out front) before putting a smile on and came back to the mike to say his goodbyes, only now silent because the plug had been pulled. Was quite comical really. However i must say it was a pleasure to see Joe and the rest of the band up there literally jamming together and loving every minute. Im so glad i experienced it.