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As leader of ‘70’s British rock legends Mott The Hoople and a hugely influential solo artist, Ian Hunter is widely revered as one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most compelling performers, as well as one of it’s most articulate songwriters. As author of such immortal anthems as, 'All The Way From Memphis', 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy' and 'Cleveland Rocks' and the voice of such landmark albums as, 'All The Young Dudes', 'Mott', 'Ian Hunter' and 'You’re Never Alone With A Schizophrenic', he remains a hero to fellow musicians and fans around the world.
Whilst his achievements during his first decade as a recording artist would have been more than enough to ensure his iconic status, Hunter has never been one to coast on past glories. Indeed, in the past dozen years, he’s made a series of riveting albums that stand with his best and most resonant work, while making a decisive return to touring, delivering incendiary live performances that show his fire to be burning as brightly as ever.
He was already a veteran of the London music scene by the time he joined Mott The Hoople in 1969. With Mott, he recorded four iconoclastic albums – 'Mott The Hoople', 'Mad Shadows', 'Wildlife' and 'Brain Capers' by the time they hit international stardom with the glam-rock anthem for a generation, the David Bowie penned, 'All The Young Dudes'. The band’s artistic and commercial success continued with 'Mott' and 'The Hoople', between them, containing the hits, 'All The Way From Memphis', 'Honaloochie Boogie', 'Roll Away The Stone' and 'The Golden Age Of Rock ‘n’ Roll'. On their final tour, they took out a then little known band, Queen, who would have a hit single with a song about their experiences, “Now I’m Here”. It would be the only time Queen would open for anyone and the band members would stay long term friends with Ian, contributing backing vocals to his 'All American Alien Boy' album. Mott have also been credited by John Lydon (Sex Pistols) and Mick Jones (The Clash) as being one of the pioneers and inspirations behind the burgeoning punk / new wave movement. Later on, Ian would go on to produce Generation X’s 'Valley Of The Dolls' album and The Clash would play on Ian’s 'Short Back ‘n’ Sides' release. Not many, if any, other artists could claim to have influenced bands as diverse as Queen and the Sex Pistols.
Mott disbanded in 1974 and Ian moved to New York, segueing into a celebrated solo career and quickly building a formidable body of solo work. The albums, 'Ian Hunter', 'All American Alien Boy', 'Overnight Angels', 'You’re Never Alone With A Schizophrenic', 'Short Back ‘n’ Sides' and 'All Of The Good Ones Are Taken' between them featuring such diverse talents as the aforementioned Queen and The Clash, Mick Ronson, the then unknown jazz sensation, Jaco Pastorious and The E Street Band, of Bruce Springsteen fame.
Barry Manilow took one of Ian’s most personal songs, 'Ships' into the charts and Great White had a international hit with their cover of 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy'. Ian took time out to produce in the ‘80’s, returning in 1993, prompted by the death of his long time collaborator, Mick Ronson.
Since then, Ian has produced what many critics feel to be his best work to date, 'The Artful Dodger', 'Rant', 'Shrunken Heads', 'Man Overboard' and 'When I’m President'. There are now a new generation of artists name-checking Ian as an influence; Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) to name but three.
Mott The Hoople have reformed twice and played two hugely successful tours. If anyone had any doubts as to the long lasting appeal and influence of Ian’s music, you would only have needed to peek at the scene’s in Mott The Hoople’s dressing room after their London show where they were joined by; Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Mick Jones (The Clash), Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) and John Squire (The Stone Roses), probably four of the most influential artists of all time.
But, as always, whilst proud of his past achievements, Ian would prefer to focus on the future. “To me, music is holy” Hunter asserts, adding “For the first fifteen years of my life, I had no idea what I was here for. But then Elvis came out and it was, “Oh, that’s what I am here for”. Rock ‘n’ roll got me out and gave me a great life and I don’t know what I would have done without it. It’s all I know and my identity is all tied up with it”.
2016 will be a special year for Classic Songwriter Ian Hunter with a brand new studio album, an unprecedented box set release and live dates in New York City, Sweden plus a UK tour including shows in Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester and London.
Ian Hunter’s new studio album, Fingers Crossed promises ten new songs including ‘Ghosts’, ‘That’s When the Trouble Starts’, ‘Bow Street Runners’ and Ian’s much-anticipated homage to David Bowie ‘Dandy’. Recorded at HOBO Studios in New Jersey, and co-produced by Hunter and Andy York, the record features his magnificent Rant Band and will be released on the 16th September.
