The Mott The Hoople Story

  "I followed Mott the Hoople up and down the country. I'd go to Liverpool or Newcastle or somewhere - sleep on the Town Hall steps, bunk the fares on the trains, hide in the toilet when the ticket inspector came around. I'd jump off just before the train got to the station and climb over the fence. It was great times, and I always knew I wanted to be in a band and play guitar. That was it for me."

  - Mick Jones (The Clash)

Mott The Hoople Timeline

1967

• Dale Griffin is invited to join Overend Watts, Mick Ralphs and Stan Tippins in The Doc Thomas Group.

1968

• Verden Allen joins The Doc Thomas Group, who later change their name to Silence.

1969

• Ian Hunter auditions for Silence. Stan Tippins relinquishes the vocalist spot to Hunter, staying on as tour manager.

• Silence teams up with legendary producer Guy Stevens, who changes their name to Mott The Hoople.

• Signing to Island Records, the band release their eponymous debut album (UK #66).

1970

• Mad Shadows album released (UK #48).

1971

• Wildlife album (UK #44) released, followed by the single 'Midnight Lady' produced by George "Shadow" Morton.

• The band out the Royal Albert Hall, causing scenes compared to Beatlemania. The resulting damage leads to a complete ban on rock concerts at the venue.

• 'Downtown' single released.

• Fourth and final Island album, Brain Capers released.

1972

• Mott split up, but agree to contractually fulfil the previously booked Rock 'n' Roll Circus tour where they are joined by jugglers and comedian Max Wall.

• David Bowie persuades them to reform and offers them 'All The Young Dudes'.

• Band sign to CBS.

• 'All The Young Dudes' single released (UK #3). Album of the same name released (UK #21).

• Ian Hunter writes his groundbreaking book Diary Of A Rock 'n' Roll Star whilst on tour in the USA.

1973

• Verden Allen leaves the band, his replacement is Morgan Fisher.

• 'Honaloochie Boogie' single (UK #12) released, followed by the Mott album (UK #7).

• 'All The Way From Memphis' single released (UK #10).

• Mick Ralphs leaves the band to form Bad Company with Free's Paul Rodgers. Mick is replaced by Ariel Bender (Luther Grosvenor), former Spooky Tooth guitarist.

• 'Roll Away The Stone' single released (UK #8).

• Mott tour the UK with Queen as support. Due to excessive ticket demand, Mott play two shows in one night at the Hammersmith Odeon. The second show ends in near riot when the venue management bring the safety curtain down on the band during the final encore.

1974

• Ian Hunter's Diary Of A Rock 'n' Roll Star book published.

• 'The Golden Age Of Rock 'n' Roll' single (UK #16) and Hoople album released (UK #11).

• Mott become the first rock band to play on Broadway, selling out a week of shows at the Uris Theatre.

• 'Foxy Foxy' single released (UK #33).

• Luther Grosvenor leaves Mott The Hoople, and is replaced by David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson.

• 'Saturday Gigs' single released (UK #41), followed by the Live album (UK #32) featuring one side recorded at the 1973 Hammersmith shows and the other recorded at the Uris Theatre.

• Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson quit the band.

2007

• The film Juno is released, with both film and soundtrack album hitting #1 in their respective charts. The lead song on the soundtrack is 'All The Young Dudes'.

2009

• Mott The Hoople announce that they are to reform for two shows at the Hammersmith Apollo, formerly the Hammersmith Odeon.