Mott the Hoople: The Definitive Tour History

Mott the Hoople, a name synonymous with quintessential British rock, carved out a formidable reputation not just through their seminal studio albums but, perhaps even more profoundly, through their electrifying live performances. From their humble beginnings navigating the club circuits of Italy and the UK to headlining major arenas and delivering unforgettable reunion shows decades later, the band's touring history is a testament to their unwavering spirit and the powerful bond they forged with their audience. This comprehensive journey explores the myriad tours that defined Mott the Hoople, detailing the shifts in line-up, the pivotal moments, and the sheer force of their presence on stage.

Early Gigs and Italian Adventures

Before they became the iconic Mott the Hoople, the foundations of the band were laid under various monikers. As the Doc Thomas Group, the nascent band, featuring Mick Ralphs on guitar, Stan Tippins on vocals, and Pete Overend Watts on bass, found an early footing with a concert residency in Italy. Their live performances there even led to a recording contract and an eponymous album in 1967. However, back in the UK, their gigs were played under different names, first as the Shakedown Sound and later as Silence. These early days were a period of relentless gigging, honing their craft in pubs and clubs across England, and even making their mark in Hamburg, Germany. Despite their efforts, widespread success remained elusive, and the band often found themselves on the brink of despair. Their initial foray into the UK music scene as Mott the Hoople, following their name change in 1969, saw them immediately heading back to Italy. Their first night at the Bat Cavern club was met with an ecstatic reception, a stark contrast to the indifference they often faced at home. Yet, this early Italian triumph was fleeting, as a misunderstanding about Ian Hunter's vision led to a lacklustre second night. Upon their return to the UK, it took time for the band to truly connect with audiences, but when they did, “something clicked,” and Mott the Hoople began to cultivate a devoted live following, renowned for their explosive and packed-out gigs.

The Rise of a Live Phenomenon (1970-1972)

The early 1970s presented a peculiar dichotomy for Mott the Hoople: while their live shows were legendary for their raw energy and captivating performances, album sales remained stubbornly poor. 1970 proved to be a particularly gruelling year, marked by an “extremely gruelling tour of the UK” that left the band, especially Buffin, physically exhausted. This year also saw their first visit to the USA in May and June, where their explosive gigs continued to draw crowds, but frustratingly, failed to translate into significant record sales. An ambitious attempt to record a live album at Croydon's Fairfield Halls was hampered by primitive technology and chaotic fan interactions, with “stage diving” being a common sight at early Mott gigs – a testament to the wildness of their shows.

In early 1971, Mott the Hoople toured Europe to promote their album Wildlife. But with sales remaining poor, a planned tour of the USA was postponed as Mott entered the studios again to record their fourth album. The band continued to play numerous festivals throughout the summer, though another single, a cover of Neil Young's “Downtown,” also flopped. The autumn of 1971 saw Mott touring the UK extensively, promoting Brain Capers. Live recordings from this period vividly demonstrate how accurately Brain Capers captured their dynamic live sound, solidifying their reputation as a powerful live act. The year concluded with a memorable appearance on BBC Radio 1's “In Concert” show, which would later be officially released, showcasing their unbridled stage presence.

By 1972, despite their continued prowess as a live band, Mott the Hoople reached a low ebb. Gigs were as explosive and packed-out as ever, but mounting debts and a perceived lack of interest from their label, Island Records, pushed them to the brink. A particularly “depressing concert” in a converted gas holder in Switzerland proved to be the breaking point, leading the band to decide to split up. A planned UK tour with The Lothringers was aborted, and the members began to seek other opportunities, seemingly marking the end of Mott the Hoople's initial touring adventures.

David Bowie's Intervention and the Glam Years (1972-1974)

The turning point for Mott the Hoople's touring fortunes arrived with the intervention of David Bowie, a long-time admirer of the band. Upon learning of their impending break-up, Bowie persuaded them to stay together and offered them “All the Young Dudes,” a song that would become their signature hit and dramatically alter their trajectory. Released as a single in July 1972, it was a success in the UK, revitalising the band and setting the stage for their most celebrated touring period.

A rejuvenated Mott the Hoople embarked on a UK tour in September and October 1972, followed by their first extensive headlining tour of the USA in November and December. This five-week American jaunt was meticulously documented by Ian Hunter in his famous diary, later published as Diary of a Rock'n'Roll Star. Highlights included David Bowie joining them on stage for encores at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia, a performance that was broadcast live on local FM radio. The tour culminated in a brilliant show in Memphis, Tennessee, where Joe Walsh famously jammed with them during the encores, underscoring the band's growing influence and appeal.

1973 saw Mott the Hoople maintaining a relentless touring schedule. A hastily arranged club tour of the UK took place, during which Verden Allen departed the band. Despite this change, the band continued to tour, heading back to the USA in July and August. It was after this leg of the tour that Mick Ralphs, a foundational member, decided to leave to form Bad Company. This presented a challenge, but Mott quickly found his replacement in Luther Grosvenor, who, at the suggestion of Lynsey de Paul, adopted the stage name Ariel Bender.

With Bender on board, Mott the Hoople appeared on Top of the Pops before jetting back to the States for the second part of their 1973 tour. Bender's wild stage antics and energetic performance style immediately resonated with fans, making the tour a “complete success.” Upon their return to the UK in November, they again appeared on Top of the Pops to promote “Roll Away the Stone” and embarked on a highly successful UK tour with the then-up-and-coming band Queen as support. This tour forged a lifelong friendship between the two bands, later immortalised in Queen's hit “Now I'm Here.” The tour concluded with two explosive shows at London's Hammersmith Odeon, with the second night reportedly ending in a near riot as management tried to lower the safety curtain mid-performance, a testament to the band's uncontainable live energy.

The touring continued intensely into 1974. After a brief warm-up tour of UK clubs, Mott the Hoople returned to the USA for another ten-week headlining tour, once again with Queen as their primary support act. This tour featured an increasingly spectacular stage show, often characterised by a playful yet aggressive duel for supremacy between Ian Hunter and Ariel Bender. Iconic moments included Bender physically interacting with Hunter on stage during “Sucker” and “Walkin' With a Mountain.” A show at the Santa Monica Civic Centre on 13th April 1974 was broadcast live on FM radio, and their performance at New York City's Uris Theatre on Broadway on 8th May 1974 was recorded for a live album. This marked a significant milestone as Mott the Hoople was the first rock band to play Broadway. The tour was an “outstanding success,” further cementing their status as a premier live act. Their last mainland UK live appearance of this era was headlining the Buxton Festival in June 1974, a show remembered for its spectacular performance despite pouring rain.

The final chapter of this period saw Mick Ronson joining the band after Bender's departure. The “new-look” Mott the Hoople toured Europe in October and November 1974 to packed houses, promoting the imminent Live album. This tour was a “complete success,” particularly in Scandinavia, where they were mobbed by screaming fans in scenes reminiscent of Beatlemania. However, despite this renewed vigour, the extensive touring and internal pressures took their toll. A planned UK tour for November/December was hastily rescheduled after Ian Hunter collapsed in the States, diagnosed with mental exhaustion. Ultimately, Hunter decided he couldn't continue, and with Mick Ronson, he departed, bringing the initial touring chapter of Mott the Hoople to an abrupt end.

The Post-Hunter Era: Mott and British Lions

Following Ian Hunter's departure, the remaining members, Pete Overend Watts, Dale “Buffin” Griffin, and Morgan Fisher, decided to continue, initially renaming themselves The Hooples before settling on MOTT. With Ray Major (formerly of Hackensack) stepping in on guitar and Nigel Benjamin taking over lead vocals, this new iteration of the band continued to tour. After releasing their debut album, Drive On (1975), Mott embarked on a UK tour, playing mostly to full houses, before heading to the USA for six months, supporting major acts like Kiss and Aerosmith.

Their second album, Shouting and Pointing (1976), was followed by a very short UK tour before they returned to the USA. They toured America until the autumn, when they returned to the UK for a full headlining tour. Despite generally favourable press coverage, Nigel Benjamin felt the band wasn't the right fit for him and quit at the tour's end.

The band then underwent another transformation, joining forces with John Fiddler (formerly of Medicine Head) and rebranding themselves as British Lions. This new line-up also toured extensively. In 1977, they supported Status Quo on the UK leg of their “Rockin' All Over the World” tour, before embarking on their own headlining dates. A special moment occurred at their Friars, Aylesbury gig on 23rd December 1977, when Ian Hunter joined them on stage for the encores, a rare and memorable reunion. British Lions then toured the USA extensively. However, after their second album was refused release by their American and UK labels, funds dried up, and the band finally disbanded without achieving chart success, marking the end of the continuous touring efforts that had begun over a decade prior.

The Long Wait for Reunion and Triumphant Returns

For many years after their initial break-up, the prospect of a Mott the Hoople reunion remained a persistent rumour, often discussed but rarely materialising. Various attempts were made, including discussions in 1981 involving Hunter, Buffin, Overend, Morgan, and Mick Ralphs, where they “nearly rushed over to Wessex studios to play” but were thwarted by the logistical problems involved. In 1991, following some Scandinavian shows, Ian Hunter even hinted to fans backstage that Mott was reforming and had signed a major record label deal, but these plans ultimately fell through.

The closest the band came to a full reunion before 2009 was the first and only ‘Mott the Hoople Convention’ held at the Robin Hood Pub in Bilston, Wolverhampton, England, on 16th and 17th April 1999. While not a full band reunion, Ian Hunter and his band performed, and on the second evening, Ariel Bender and Verden Allen joined Hunter for an encore of “Walkin' With A Mountain,” offering a tantalising glimpse of the classic line-up. Mick Ralphs also toured with Hunter's backing band in 2002 and 2004, and both Ralphs and Allen joined Hunter for an encore at his Shepherd's Bush Empire concert in October 2007. These sporadic appearances only fuelled the desire for a full-scale reunion.

Finally, in 2009, the long-awaited moment arrived. On 16th January, it was announced that Mott the Hoople would reunite for two concerts at the Hammersmith Apollo in London in October. The news sent shockwaves of excitement through their fanbase. All five original members – Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Pete Overend Watts, Dale “Buffin” Griffin, and Verden Allen – were confirmed to participate. Tickets for the initial two dates sold out within 24 hours, leading to the addition of a third, then a fourth, and finally a fifth date, creating an unprecedented five-night residency at the iconic venue. A warm-up gig was held at the Blake Theatre in Monmouth, Wales, on 26th September 2009. Due to Buffin's poor health, Martin Chambers of The Pretenders filled in on drums for the main concerts, though Griffin did make an appearance during the encores, much to the delight of the audience. The reunion shows were met with overwhelming critical acclaim from major British broadsheet newspapers, universally praised for their energy and enduring appeal. The band also played The Tartan Clefs charity night in Glasgow on 27th November 2009.

The success of the 2009 reunion paved the way for another significant tour in 2013. On 18th November 2013, Mott the Hoople, featuring Allen, Hunter, Ralphs, and Watts, with Martin Chambers again on drums, played the massive O2 Arena in London. This headline show was preceded by dates in Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle (at the legendary City Hall), and Manchester. The Manchester gig was notably recorded and later released as a limited edition CD/DVD, Live 2013. While some critics noted the passage of time on Hunter's voice, the sheer spectacle and nostalgic power of the performances resonated deeply with fans, proving that Mott the Hoople's live magic was far from diminished.

The band's line-up continued to evolve in the wake of the sad passing of Dale Griffin in 2016 and Overend Watts in 2017. In February 2018, it was announced that Mott the Hoople would play several European dates that summer. This iteration featured Ian Hunter, joined by former bandmates Morgan Fisher on keyboards and Ariel Bender on guitar, a line-up that many fans had hoped for in previous reunions. They were augmented by members of Hunter's regular touring band, the Rant Band, ensuring a robust and powerful sound.

The most recent touring activity was announced in January 2019, with the “Tax the Heat” tour. This included a brief six-show UK tour in April, preceded by an eight-date tour of the US as “Mott the Hoople '74.” This US tour, which began on 1st April and concluded on 10th April at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, marked the band's first tour of the United States in 45 years. The core '74 members – Ian Hunter, Ariel Bender, and Morgan Fisher – celebrated the 45th anniversary of their original 1974 US tour, and the release of The Hoople and Live. The band was once again augmented by members of Hunter's Rant Band. Unfortunately, a planned US tour in October and November 2019, comprising 11 shows, had to be cancelled due to Ian Hunter suffering a severe attack of tinnitus, highlighting the physical demands and challenges that even seasoned musicians face on the road.

Comparative Table: Mott the Hoople Reunion Tours

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: When was Mott the Hoople's first major hit tour?
  A: Following the success of “All the Young Dudes” in July 1972, Mott the Hoople embarked on a revitalised UK tour in September/October 1972, quickly followed by their first headlining US tour in November/December of the same year. This marked their true breakthrough as a touring force.

• Q: Did Mott the Hoople ever tour with Queen?
  A: Yes, famously! Queen supported Mott the Hoople on their highly successful UK tour in late 1973, and again on their extensive headlining US tour in 1974. This shared experience led to a lasting friendship between the bands.

• Q: What led to the cancellation of Mott the Hoople's 2019 US tour?
  A: The planned US tour in October and November 2019, consisting of 11 shows, was unfortunately cancelled due to lead singer Ian Hunter suffering a severe attack of tinnitus, which affected his balance and ability to perform.

• Q: How many original members participated in the recent Mott the Hoople reunions?
  A: The highly anticipated 2009 reunion featured all five original members: Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Pete Overend Watts, Dale “Buffin” Griffin, and Verden Allen, although Martin Chambers filled in on drums for most of the shows due to Buffin's health. The 2013 reunion also featured Hunter, Ralphs, Watts, and Allen, again with Chambers on drums. The 2018 and 2019 reunions saw Ian Hunter joined by Morgan Fisher and Ariel Bender, alongside members of his Rant Band, reflecting later significant line-ups.

• Q: What was the “Hammersmith Odeon riot” associated with Mott the Hoople?
  A: At the second of their two triumphant shows at London's Hammersmith Odeon in late 1973, the concert famously ended in a near riot. As the band was still playing, the venue management, in an attempt to clear the building, prematurely lowered the safety curtain, sparking a chaotic scene that has since become part of Mott the Hoople lore.

Conclusion

Mott the Hoople's touring history is as rich and dynamic as their music. From the early struggles and the pivotal influence of David Bowie to their iconic glam-rock heyday and the heartfelt, critically acclaimed reunions of the 21st century, the band consistently delivered performances that transcended mere concerts. Their journey on the road has been marked by both exhilarating highs and challenging lows, reflecting the often-turbulent nature of a long and influential career. Despite numerous line-up changes and the inevitable toll of time and health, Mott the Hoople's legacy as a formidable live act remains undisputed, a testament to their enduring appeal and the powerful, almost communal experience of their shows. Their tours were not just about playing music; they were about creating moments of pure, unadulterated rock 'n' roll magic that continue to resonate with generations of fans.

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