Ian Hunter | September 2025 | Horse’s Mouth
Michael:
My holy grail has been to find footage of the Marionette tour. Were any of the shows filmed?
IH: Not officially; it was pretty dumb really. ABC were there during sound check and took some video, but no one was able to find it. All before the age of MTV!
Liz K:
Hope you and your family had a wonderful Summer and that everyone is doing well. I’m listening to your music a lot these days. So many of your songs are even more relevant now than they were when you wrote them. “Weed” is a brilliant gem among an embarrassment of wealth gem-wise. It’s witty, but definitely not funny. Scary actually, but thank goodness someone out there is telling the truth. Thank you for being you. Hope your muse isn’t letting you down and that you are finding inspiration to write. Need you now more than ever. Seeing Jim Mastro with Marshall Crenshaw Saturday. Really really looking forward to that. I love his album so it should be a lot of fun. Sadly one of our concert-going buddies who made a few trips with me to Chicago passed away. Lou “Babinga” Patterson died of cancer a couple Of months ago. He was so thrilled to have your signature on his guitar case. Genuine character if ever there was one but also a gently good guy as well. Lover of music, rescuer of animals. Wish I was going to the Mott Reunion coming right up. Simon R. Did such a fabulous job of pulling it all together. What a great group of fans MYH people are. Wishing you and Trudi a beautiful Fall. Bet you get a lot of beautiful color up there. All the Best, Liz
IH: My ‘Muse’ is doing just fine!! I’m glad you liked ‘Weed’ – it passed by a lot of people. Seems like lyrics don’t mater so much these days. Pity – I‘m working hard on the lyrics for ‘Defiance III’.
Peter A:
Hi Ian, Hope you’re well! I’m a younger fan & artist. I cover “Life” at most gigs as a tribute to my Dad, Steve, who was a lifelong fan of yours. Played it in Quasimodo in Berlin, your gig there in 2016 was my first ever show, felt very full circle! Thanks for setting the bar so high. The point: There’s a new fan-fic series of the Harry Potter books called “All The Young Dudes” which has gone ‘viral’ on TikTok (I know – what a crazy time to be alive)… It’s getting literally *billions* of views – with many mentions of your music & work. It seems like the kids are starting to find the ‘old’ records again… ironically through dudes carrying the news, i suppose. Thought you may enjoy/cringe at the news that you’re going viral in 2025! Haha. Thank you for everything, Peter
IH: Yeah, I was checking it out on U-Tube. What the F are they talking about – then I got it…. Hey, fine by me!
J:
Why did people of your generation get married and have kids when they didn’t want to?
IH: They did want to…or had to….things change. Last time I looked it applied to most generations.
Bob Boyle in New Orleans:
Ian not sure if you remember him or not but New Orleans concert venue photographer Sidney Smith has passed away. Sidney was one of the great yet probably unsung photographers his work was quality along the likes of Mick Rock, Bob Gruen, Jerry De Wilde all of us ‘KIDS’ will miss him dearly i say kids because we were kids back then Sidney was only 18 when he started hanging out photographing the Allman Brothers , J Geils, Wet Willie Status Quo, Marshall Tucker Band, The Outlaws, Grateful Dead that performed the Beaver Productions ‘Warehouse’ here in New Orleans, and Baton Rouge Centroplex His work is well worth taking a look at God Bless you Sid, we’ll miss you always heres is his link, really good stuff rockstarphotos.net
IH: Sorry to Sid’s family and friends. We played ‘The Warehouse’ a couple of time in the early 70’s, so we may have met.
Orv Pibbs:
Hi Ian, Long time fan from Chicago here. Loved everything you’ve done since the early days of MOTT with Guy Stevens (apart from Wildlife). Question I’ve got is about a great track of yours from the early 80’s, “ALL OF THE GOOD ONES ARE TAKEN”. I’m a pianist, and recently started playing that song LIVE, and it’s such a fun and cool song to play, with some great hooks and catchy middle 8. Brilliant stuff! Plus the original video was so detailed and well thought out, I can’t believe that song did not chart higher than it did. Do I have that wrong Ian ? If not, does not make much sense to me, even with all the other competition at that time. Would be curious of your thoughts. Thx for all the great music Orv
IH: To tell you the truth – it’s the wrong groove. I never got the groove right. Song is good – video was good, but the groove I originally had – escaped! Just goes to show, you have too put it down straight away or you forget. I’m annoyed again writing this!! As far as ‘charts’ go – MONEY!!
Scott Trapani:
Hello Ian! At 63, I have been a fan of yours since the early 1970s and must say you are an incredible artist. I have spent the recent weeks listening to you entire collection – retirement has its benefits! My question is – I am enamored with the All American Alien album and wanted to ask – are the background singers the same ones that David Bowie used in Young Americans? They have nearly identical sounds and given your relationship with Bowie I figured they may be one and the same. Thx!!
IH: Dunno. Anne E. Sutton, Eric Dickins, Gail Kantor – I know Erin was with the Manhattan Transfer – that’s about it.
Whalespoon:
There seems to be something of a renewed interest in singer/songwriter David Ackles lately. Although he never sold a lot of records during his recording career (1968-1973), a number of musicians were fans, including Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Phil Collins, and Elvis Costello among them. Did you ever know him or cross paths with him?
IH: Not to my knowledge.
Rick McMorrow:
Back in the Mott the Hoople days, your covers of songs like: • At the Crossroads (Doug Sahm) • Laugh at Me (Sonny Bono) • Your Own Backyard (Dion) • Darkness, Darkness (Jesse Colin Young) • Lay Down (Melanie) • Sweet Jane (Lou Reed) • All the Young Dudes (David Bowie) …were absolutely spot-on. You didn’t just perform them—you owned them. They fit your voice and energy so naturally, they felt like they were written for you. As a longtime fan, I’ve often wondered: if you ever put together a full cover album, which songs or artists would be must-haves for you? Who else do you feel that same deep connection with, like you clearly did with those classics? Thanks for all the great music over the years—it still means a lot.
IH: Varies, mainly Bob though!
John Mcmillan:
Ian, I love both line ups of MTH. But if i had to Choose it would be when Mick Ralph’s played. Which do you prefer or had more fun with? God Bless.
IH: If you’re choosing music, then Ralpher. If you’re choosing fun – then both bands were truly great at it. Pete was a glorious eccentric, Phally and his Welshisms; Buff did ‘grim’, Morgan had the posh thing going, and of course the Great Ariel Bender!!!
Same with the ‘Rant Band’ – bring on the characters. Touring can be a grind – fun lightened the travelling. Not a fan of muso bands.
Anonymous:
Hi Ian, In the August Horses Mouth John McMillan mentioned seeing you & Mick in Toledo, Ohio in 1979. I attended the same concert and being a naughty boy I snuck a small cassette recorder in. Fantastic show! The sound quality is terrible but it might be of interest to Mr McMillan. Thanks! https://youtu.be/6WkHH7RuPGc?si=WVRtv3exAQFcTIGG
IH: See – you owe me!
Shug Laverty:
Hi Ian, Hope you and Trudi are well. Not a question for you today but just a very,very big thank you. I see the two of you are grandparents again – congratulations on this special blessing. Helen and I have 10 grandchildren now and they really are the most precious gifts. Enjoy the new one ! We are also celebrating a special day today (20th September) exactly 50 years ago today we were married! I know you and Trudi have also passed this amazing milestone – quite an achievement for anyone. One of our first dates was the Hunter-Ronson gig at the Glasgow Apollo back in March ’75 – it obviously did the trick ! The last time we both seen you was at MTH ’74 at the Barrowlands and many more times in between ! We’ve lived pretty much all of our married life in East Kilbride only 7 miles away from Peacock Cross so there has always been a special connection. Your many fantastic songs have really been the soundtrack to our 50 years together! ! So I just want to say thank you for being there and doing what you do. All the best to you and Trudi Guv’nor – keep on writing and especially, keep on rockin’ ! Shug and Helen.
IH: Up the stairs, above the pub. Bit tatty, but I think it’s still there. Bomb shelters are gone, as is the waash hoose!
Bart:
Any dealings with Mike Scott of the waterboys?
IH: Don’t think so. ‘The Whole of the Moon’ – wonderful song.
Cam:
Hi! Hope all is well. I was reading an article on Rory Gallagher and he mentioned Mott The Hoople (I believe he was talking about some Irish tour and then Mick). Thought that was interesting! I also was curious if you had any funny stories about Mick Ralphs during his time with Mott.
IH: I think I was with Freddie Fingers Lee (on bass) and we toured Ireland for Taste’s promoter and they opened for us. Great musician – taken too soon.
Juan Ribas:
Hello, Ian. From Barcelona, again. I hope you are well. Just 3 things. First one about tinnitus. I,ve read there is a new treatment based on stem cells. Although probably you know. But it seems useful for you, and many others persons that are suffering for this illness. Second one. In the last horse,s mouth, one of the comments was about a gig you did in Dominion Theatre. I,ve founded in you tube. The image is bad, but the sound is reasonable good. Was a good gig in my opinion. Almost finally, i,m going to buy the book written by Suzi Ronson. I,ve read some comments about it, and it seems interesting. One of them said is a sobering tale. As you may know some part talks about the fame and how cruel can be this world specially when you falls down. Mick was underrated musician and underpaid too. Maybe too ingenous. Suzi said in other part that she loved when he toured with you, because apart to be close friends, she knew her husband would be paid. You are very honest , Ian. Sadly, Suzy talks about the Mick,s problem with alcohol and gambling. But, everyone have his weakness. It,s the life And that is all. God bless you and your family and thanks for being there. My prayings for your health
IH:
- No, I haven’t heard about this – I’ll look it up – thanks!
- It was a great gig.
- Suzi’s book is great. Read it in one go. She doesn’t glamorize herself in it – just a hairdresser from Bromley who got lucky. Nice one.
Reginald Playken:
Hello, Ian Hunter. I would like to ask you a few questions that have been troubling me for the past year, during which I have been listening to you. (Yes, I’ve been listening to you since September 2024 — sorry it wasn’t earlier, I was too busy with Queen at the time.) 1. What does the number 83 in the song title “Apathy 83” from All American Alien Boy stand for? Is it a take number? Or does it mean the year when apathy sets in? 2. I love Dirty Laundry — and your album by that name as well. There’s a song on it, “Another Fine Mess,” which, as you once said, is about Mick Ronson, and that you don’t really like this song. But what’s wrong with it? To me, it sounds like a fine song about the old days. 3. Why has a studio version of the song (Give Me Back My) Wings never been officially released? I respect you deeply, both as a musician and as a person, the great Mr. Hunter, and I wish you all the very best.
IH:
- Dunno – maybe the year.
- Mick and I had our ups and downs – we played big places – we played medium places, and we had our share of ‘dumps’. I guess this was probably about some dump we’d played. No offence dumps!! – they can be great.
- There is no studio version of ‘Wings’. I think it’s one of the better songs I’ve written, but for some reason we never got round to it.
Rick Goward:
I don’t think I ever told you of my doing in getting you onto Bob Coburns Rockline show. I called in to BC and implied I knew you a bit and asked if he would like to have you as a guest. He said very much so. I then implied to you that I knew BC and he wanted you on the show. You were interested and the 2 got in touch and the rest is history. I called into the show the night you were in but I didn’t tell the story then. Hope to see you on the road again someday
IH: Big time!! Thank you for that!!
Martyn:
I first saw Mott’ play live in Bournemouth UK, (1973 I think) supported by Queen,. I am curious how much influence did the record company have compared with yourselves on who would be your support act on that tour?
IH: They would come to us with various artists. We only took good bands – kept us on our toes – as Queen certainly did!
Dru:
Did you enjoy working with Topper Headon?
IH: I loved working with Topper. There were all these rumours flying around about Topper, but he was great – both on drums and off.
Central Park N East:
Hello, Mr. Hunter. I am a representative of the late generation Z, and please write a song about our future! This is an extremely relevant topic of our time (2025), and it is extremely important, what if your song turns into the anthem of a generation? Who knows. Thanks for everything!
IH: ‘Defiance III’ is heavily into this subject – and beyond. Don’t panic!!
Gareth Toms:
Hi Ian, Have you ever been offered a slot at the Glastonbury Festival? Also, During your basement tour, you show a poster of a Deerhunter gig. What an eclectic bunch of rockers… Do you have any remembrances as to what songs were in the set list? Best Wishes, Gareth.
IH: Twice, and if I lived down the road – I might have done it. As far a ‘Deerhunter’ is concerned – we only did one gig (at the Pier in NYC). John Cale was dressed as a doctor, Paul Butterfield bummed 20 bucks off me and was on the phone a lot – and Todd and I probably did ‘8 Days a Week’? I’m guessing.
Dru:
Did you play any gigs that included both Jack the Mechanic and Andy in your band?
IH: No, but they are mates from way back.
Kartoshka Mercury:
Hello Ian Hunter! I hope the track Salvation will not be included in Defiance Part III. Please, I ask you not to put this song into Part III! You are still in your prime and full of energy! Thank you for everything, Ian Hunter!
IH: Don’t panic, lad. Defiance III is all new!
Pomidor Wellington:
Hello Ian Hunter! I love your work and you as a person. However, since unfortunately I do not know English well enough to fully understand the lyrics without having the text in front of me, I usually read your lyrics on sites like Hunter-Mott or Genius. But! Some of your new songs (“Normal Services,” “Needles Park,” “Meet Henry”) are not available with lyrics anywhere on the internet, and some songs are missing certain lines (for example, on the internet the lyrics for Weed said “I just shit in the breeze,” but it turned out that was not what you actually sang). So, Ian — great emperor of all rock’n’roll — please consider including printed lyrics with the vinyl/CD editions of your new album Defiance Part 3, as well as publishing them on your website. This is just a wish, of course — the decision is entirely yours. Thank you for everything!
IH: Actually – Andy doesn’t like lyrics on records – he prefers people to find out for themselves. Of course this can lead to slight problems! The word is ‘shoot’.
Tom McGarry:
Greetings from the north of Scotland. Loved your music since the 70s. I’m recalling an answer on HM from a few years back when you said that you had added a fair bit of distinctiveness to Bowie’s demo of Dudes with Ralpher’s intro and your own rapping nearer the end. In light of ongoing cases like Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers one against Sting for writing royalties I wondered if you had a view on the moral or legal merits of these cases in general and in Motts position with Dudes. Cheers.
IH: David presented the song to us. We changed it a bit to enhance (if at all possible) – and we did!
Jackie Rohana:
Hi hope all is well! When /where are you touring near Philadelphia? I’d like to attend in tribute to my recently departed brother John ROHANA. Mr. Patterson, your concert in Ardmore, PA was a BLAST! – and the last concert that I shared with my brother. I’d have to attend solo, physically, but with a heavenly angel close by my side, singing, clapping and laughing! John is with Michael, they are in a better place, however, neither one of them would want the music to end, one being the Entertainer and one being the faithful fan! I’m sorry for both of our losses, but we can keep the music/fan connection going while stuck on Earth. Your reply would be greatly appreciated! Thank you….what a great memory of my brother that I will cherish forever! Jackie ROHANA Lee❤️🙏
IH: Sorry – not out there at the moment – old man stuff!!!
Dru:
Musically and artistically, was Mick excited to do the Dylan tour?
IH: (I like your questions, by the way.). He was kind of perplexed. He obviously knew Bob was huge, but this was an entirely different Kettle of fish. Nothing was planned – people just turned up and jammed – total opposite to Bowie. He rang me 3 days into the ‘rehearsals’ and I asked what it was like. He said ‘C. F. ‘n’ G.” Now you couldn’t him back on a Gibson. It was all Fender Tele – most annoying. Bob influenced him a lot – and that was good.
Greg Groves:
Hi Ian, Let me start by saying I’m a long time fan, since I first heard Dudes in ’72/73? I’m currently watching ‘City Of Vice’ and am wondering if this was the inspiration for ‘Bow Street Runners’ on ‘Fingers Crossed’?
IH: Never seen ‘City of Vice’, but I’ll have a look.
Michael Baseman:
I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Rose. Was this written about an actual person or was it a mosaic?
IH: ‘Rose’ was a real person.
Luke Dempsey:
Is it true that before Bad Co. hired Boz Burrell, Mick Ralphs tried to persuade Pete Watts to join them but that Pete wouldn’t leave Mott, even when Peter Grant phoned him and said ‘But the boys want you!’ ?
IH: I’m not 100% on this but I think it’s true.
Dru:
Weed is a real good song
IH: Try telling that to the ‘mainstream’.
TK in Detroit:
Hello or “Ello”, often wondered if that was checking a microphone level while you were recording it? Glad to see your release are again coming out on vinyl. Always seems the sound quality is better off the analog format. Though at 65 my hearing probably has lost the high end a bit. No doubt from blasting tunes into my ears at high volume. Including yours! Always enjoy MtH Live, Welcome to the Club. My new hobby is reel to reel tape. Were any MtH / IH recordings released in this format. Thanks Stay well or better than well!
IH: I’ve still got ¼ inch ‘AAAB’ somewhere – does that count? And we have ‘Rant’ somewhere….and more.
We’re done!!
IH
The Horse’s Mouth
p.s. Keep ‘em coming!