Mott The Hoople announce 40th anniversary shows
The mega-legendary Mott The Hoople have announced a pair of reunion shows to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
The concerts, which are being billed as ‘the return of one of the best loved rock’n'roll bands of all time’, are at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on October 2 and 3.
These will be momentous occasions for the following reasons:
* 40 years since the highly influential Mott The Hoople formed in 1969
* The first time the original line-up has played together for over 35 years
* Mott The Hoople return to The Hammersmith Apollo – scene of near riots following their shows in ’73 and recorded for the legendary ‘Mott The Hoople Live’ album
Formed in 1969 when Ian Hunter joined Verden Allen, Dale Griffin, Overend Watts and Mick Ralphs, Mott The Hoople released their eponymous debut album that same year.
By 1971 they were selling out and trashing the Albert Hall – rock bands were banned for years afterwards – but just 12 months later, after on-stage punches and insults were thrown, Mott The Hoople were ready to quit.
They stayed together thanks to longtime fan, David Bowie. He gave them ‘All The Young Dudes’ the first of a string of hits including the Ian Hunter-penned songs ‘Roll Away The Stone’, ‘All The Way From Memphis’, ‘Honaloochie Boogie’ and ‘The Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll’. Despite the success and accolades, Mott The Hoople’s demise was surely inevitable and by 1974 the band had split.
It is fitting that the 2009 shows are at Hammersmith Apollo – this is where one side of the famous ‘Mott The Hoople Live’ album was recorded in 1973 and was the venue they had to play twice in one day to satisfy ticket demand, the second show ending in near riot when the curtain came down on their final encore.
The other side of this legendary album was recorded during Mott’s week-long residency at the Uris Theatre on Broadway, the first time New York theatreland had played host to a rock band; support on these shows came from the little known Queen.
Who knows what will happen this time but these are sure to be historic gigs.
In an era of band reformations, it will be still be shocking to their legions of fans that Mott The Hoople have decided to reform, with their original line-up, to celebrate their 40th Anniversary. Shocking but thrilling to fans who include Primal Scream, Morrissey, The Clash, REM, Queen, Blur and more..
Tickets on sale January 22nd 2009 priced £36.00 and £42.50, available from:
www.ticketmaster.co.uk, www.seetickets.co.uk (08700 603 777) and www.ticketweb.co.uk (08700 600 100).
Roll away the bathchair!
Wow – This has already made my year – Seen ian dozen or so times but this is what we’ve been waiting for !!!!! Do you remember the Saturday Gigs ?
[...] rousing thumbs up from this rock-bloggin’ fool! The one I JUST heard about today is Mott the Hoople…yes please. They only have a couple London dates lined up thus far, but they best bring [...]
At last! Phally was right on!
This has made my YEAR. We remember the Saturday Gigs, oh yes….
great band, glad to see it happen finally while all are still with us. Death may be yer santa claus!!!!!!
The millenium just got started – I waited half a lifetime for this – sod the recession cos the sun’s shining very brightly where I’m standing!!!!!!
I’m just One of the Boys who can’t wait to keep a knockin’
‘The Best Band Ever’ Let’s just hope they film
& record it! & then do another album.
[...] bookmarks tagged primal scream Mott The Hoople announce 40th anniversary shows saved by 2 others xmcrxangelx bookmarked on 01/23/09 | [...]
Having just watched The rolling Stones Live Movie – ‘Shine A Light’.. they proved they are still the best Rock N Roll Band ..
dont right off ‘Mott’ just yet!
cheers
Andy Rowson
http://www.eagle-eye-photography.com
Mott were the one band of the era that never distanced themselves from their following… The Mott The Hoople ‘family’ is larger today than it’s ever been… unlike many from the early 70’s their music matured like a fine wine… the rest ended up playing at Butlins, but Hoople will go on from these shows and become the premiere league band that they were always destined to become… Can’t wait for the album! (oops!…) Overend Watts for Prime Minister!
I’ve got my tickets . Flying into England for the gigs from Thailand . First time I’ve been home in 23 Years.
Speechless!! I was there at Hammersmith in 1973 and, 36 years on, this will have been a journey for us all. Can’t wait – bring it on!
Going to all 3 Gigs . Flying in from Thailand for the first time to England for 24 years. Event of the year no doubt. Hoping it will be a big party , with guest appearances from the likes of Morgan Fisher and Ariel Bender
doo-doo-doo-doo Hello
This is very exciting indeed. I took my first real “date” to see Mott the Hoople live at Winterland in San Francisco.
My wife and I have our tickets and we’ll be flying from San Francisco to London for this show !!
“we crossed the mighty oceans and we had a few divides”
“you ain’t the Nazz, your just a buzs. Some kind of temporary…..”
“you there, with the glasses, I want you”
“you think you’re a star but you’re still on parole”
so many great lines, so many great times.
Saw Mott the Hoople twice at Massy Hall here in Toronto and once at the Uris Theater in N.Y. I wish that I could be there for the reunion concerts. Probably one of the most underrated Rock Bands ever their music is classic and like a fine wine it seems to get better with age. I wish the lads all the best and thank-you for those Saturday Gigs and here’s to many more. “It’s a long way from Broadway….” Cheers.
I was lucky enough to be at Saturday nights show. However good I’d hoped it would be didn’t prepare me for how fantastic it actually was. Ian Hunter at 70 still cuts it as a rock n roll frontman par excellence,a dn of course the material was all great. A night that I will cherish for years to come. Thanks guys.