The band was about to break up but David Bowie, a fan, persuaded them not to, gave the song to them and produced the album. He’s one of the singers in the chorus too. David Bowie did everything back then.
he Didn't write the song for them, he wrote the song and when he heard they were breaking up offered Sufferagette City, which they turned down, he then offered Dudes
Ian Hunter - lead vocals, piano; Mick Ralphs - electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals (he would go on to Bad Company); David Bowie - backing vocals and wrote this song! edit- Check out their "All the Way from Memphis" !!
Ian Hunter is a good guitarist on top of that, but Mick played those opening licks. Pete Watts on bass and I think it was Dale Griffin played drums, not sure likely Verden Allen in the organ. Mick is way up front and Bowie is really low in the mix in the backing vocal on the chorus, Ian just way up over top.
Ian Hunter, Mott the Hoople’s singer, guitarist and songwriter is 84 years old and still rocking. Check out Once Bitten Twice Shy, and All the Way From Memphis for a couple of tasters.
I met my late wife KK, in mid 80’s L.A. She was a bass player, a devotee of Mott’s bass player, Pete Overend Watts. I can still see her beauty, 1972 era London glam shag haircut, frilly cuffs, Elizabethan velvet coat, thigh high powder blue platform boots carrying her Gibson Thunderbird bass. I miss her terribly but fond memories of her when I hear this tune. Thank you.❤️
True. It's also to MTH's credit that Mick Ralphs came up with the riff and Ian Hunter added the rap to make it their own. One need only listen to the version Bowie did on David Live to hear the different approach. Both good, but I doubt it would have been a hit if they'd adopted a similar arrangement.
As a teenager in the early 2000's I 100% thought this was performed by him and could never understand why I couldn't find it in any of Bowie's albums or singles online lol
Queens first US tour was as Mott the Hoople's opening act. They give Mott so much respect and credit for the exposure and mentorship. There is a shout out to them on the Sheer Heart Attack album. The song Now I'm Here (which you should react to because you will love it) is about their experience on that first US tour With the line "Down in the city just Hoople 'n' me. Don't I love him so."
The whole lyric (by Bowie) is a tongue-in-cheek ridicule/celebration of the times. It’s drenched in the slang and attitudes of the time, a classic British affectionate mocking of themselves . Wonderful stuff.
Guitarist Mick Ralphs later goes on to be a founding member of Bad Company. Piano player Ian Hunter eventually goes solo and writes the classic rock staple Once Bitten, Twice Shy...later covered by Great White.
"I've wanted to do this for years.!" Criminally Underrated band. Your favorite band's favorite band. Queen was heavily influenced by them. They opened for Mott the Hoople on the first tour.
Founding member and guitarist Mick Ralphs went on to help found Bad Company. Also, Ian Hunter performed this tune at the Wembley Aids concert to honor Freddie Mercury hosted by Queen.
@@auldfouter8661 The song is also name-checked in the brilliant song "Ten Years Asleep" by Kingmaker. The line is:- All the young dudes Work for all the old brutes In expensive suits
That's David Bowie singing background vocals. He also wrote the song for his friends in Mott the Hoople. And it's funny you should mention Queen, they were great friends as well and both bands went on tours together. Queen also sang backup on Ian Hunter's (Mott's lead singer and writer) later solo album.
Wow, all these years, I never realized David Bowie wrote this. I thought this was all Ian Hunter. But, in that light, it sounds like a Bowie song, cool.
It's got so many British cultural references - 'stealing clothes from Marks & Sparks' is a reference to the chainj store marks & Spencer, which then was a middle class chain.
The performance of this at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert is just wonderful. With the great Ian Hunter on lead vocal, he's backed not only by the three surving members of Queen, but also David Bowie(!) on backing vocals and saxophone, the mercurial Mick Ronson of the Spiders from Mars on guitar, and two members of Def Leppard on additional backing vocals. Given the shared history of three of these bans and the fandom of the other, and the emotion of the occasion, it's a stunning rock moment. Highly recommended. Rest easy, Mick, David and Freddie.
Thanks for the tip! I just watched it & you're right, it was fantastic!! What a thrill it must have been for David Bowie to perform his song live with the band he gifted it to! I must say, Ian Hunter looked like he could have been Jeff Lynn's long lost brother 😆
Mott The Hoople was a character in a British novel, a circus freak. The band, one of the greatest in UK history, had a rabid following in England. For a time they were banned because there were riots at their gigs. They never had much commercial success and were going to break up when David Bowie talked them out of it and wrote this for them and they took off from there. The leader, Ian Hunter, had a soulful Dylanesque quality. The band featured both piano and organ
The memories come flooding back, 13 years old when this came out, David Bowie was aghast when he heard that Mott were going to quit, so he wrote them a song and the rest is rock history.
Yes, Yes, Yes. What a great rabbit hole to jump into guys. Mott The Hoople is such a great band. First off, the song is written by David Bowie. He also produced the album, played sax in songs & I'm sure did some backing vocals. So the story goes, Mott The Hoople had put out four albums before All The Young Dudes. And the albums didn't sale so they was about to give it up. But Bowie was a huge fan of their band so he talked them into doing another album & gave them that song & of course it hit big. But the albums before had some great tunes also, obviously since Bowie was a fan. The band at that point was Ian Hunter - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano & wrote the majority of their songs. Ian would have a great solo career & had Mick Ronson playing guitar for him through most of his solo career. Ronson was Bowie's guitarist in the Ziggy Stardust days. Mick Ralphs on lead guitar & vocals. Mick would do one more album with them after Dudes & would leave to form Bad Company. In fact one of the songs that on the debut album for Bad Company he originally recorded with Mott on the Dudes album. Ready For Love which was a pretty good hit for BC. Overend Watts on bass, Buffin on drums & Verden Allen on organ & vocals. Morgan Fisher would later join to
Songs to hit All the way from Memphis Drivin' Sister One Of The Boys The Golden Age Of Rock & Roll Roll Away The Stone Born Late 58 I Wish I Was Your Mother Sweet Jane ( Lou Reed cover) Rock & Roll Queen Walking With A Mountain.
Great reaction to a great song and band, more tracks by, 'Mott The Hoople': "Roll Away the Stone", "Rock and Roll Queen", "All The he Way from Memphis", "Hymn for The Dudes", "The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll", "Jerkin' Crocus", "Crash Street Kidds", "Sweet Jane", "Hold On, You're Crazy", "One of The Boys", "Ready for Love/After Lights", "Pearl 'n' Roy (England)", "Whizz Kid". There are many more but these are good ones to continue with.
Always loved this song. Got heavy air play in the early to mid 70s. Bowie, a big fan, 0:02 wrote the song for them as they were about to break up. And Queen opened for Mott in early years & refer to them in the song Now I’m Here from the Sheer Heart Attack album. Ian Hunter the lead singer /. This song was played at the Freddie tribute concert with Ian Hunter, Bowie & surviving Queen members.
Listen to the chorus 'carry the news' and you can hear that vocal high flip that Bowie does so well. Mott are a good band - I saw them too late when what was left of the band had become British Lions and were supporting Status Quo on tour.
I’ve known and liked this since ‘73. I delivered newspapers for the Detroit News. I remember the station manager when we would pick up our papers would yell out as we walked ot with our newspapers - All the young dudes - deliver the news
One of David Bowie's favorite bands. They were on the verge of breaking up, and he offered them one of his songs. They passed on Suffragete City, but chose this one. It was their biggest hit. You can hear Bowie's voice in the chorus of the song.
Funny you should say Queen. On Mott’s final tour before they broke up , Queen and Aerosmith were the Opening Acts for Mott the Hoople. David Bowie had written this song for his Ziggy Stardust album, but offered it to Mott because Mott was breaking up. All the Young Dudes went to #3 in England and Mott the Hoople had 3 Wonderful Albums in a row before breaking up for good Guitarist Mick Ralphs went on to for Bad Company. Lead Singer Ian Hunter had moderate success as a Solo Artist with hits that were Covered by Great White (Once Bitten Twice Sky) All the Way From Memphis (Conraband) & Cleveland Rocks from the Drew Carey TV Show
Was at the Mott the Hoople show at the Uris Theater in NY. The last of what I think was 6 shows and yes, opening act Queen(the only time Queen would open for anyone). My friend and I had 7th row orchestra seats on left side aisle. Ralph's had already left the group and was replaced by Aeriel Bender(Luther Grosvenor of Spooky Tooth) who played a helluva show. One of the most memorable shows I ever saw. Ian Hunter has continued both solo, with Mick Ronson(Bowie guitarist and producer) and the Rant Band and remains 1 of rocks best creators, songwriters. Amber would like "I Wish I Was Your Mother" a lot. Great songs by these guys.
Mott The Hoople was on the verge of breaking up, and their peer David Bowie gave them this song to perform before to keep them from doing so- and this wound up being not only their best-known song, but a defining song from the early 70s glam rock era. Another great song on this album is their version of "Sweet Jane", originally done by The Velvet Underground.
When this song came out I assumed it was Bowie and thought man he's come up with another great one. Then somebody told me it wasn't Bowie it was some group named Mott the Hoople. I was shocked until a few days later I was informed that Bowie wrote and sang background vocals on it and I was like okay, I'm not crazy. Great tune!
The reason it sounds like it could have come from any era is that, as others have mentioned, its a Bowie creation. Such a unique mind he had, pinning a Bowie song fown to a specific year or even decade is so hard, he was so eclectic.
The singer, Ian Hunter, had a few solo hits in the late 70s, most notably his album You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic including the song "Cleveland Rocks" which was used as the theme song for The Drew Carey Show.
Queen opened for Mott The Hoople on one of Queen's early tours - seems crazy now but it's true. The band's vocalist Ian Hunter , who had a Scots father , is now nearly 85 years old.
Mott The Hoople were one of the best bands of the 70`s . This is a Bowie cover and their first hit of many , all great. I wore out their first three albums
When you cover All the Way From Memphis, make sure you do the original album version. The saxophone solo makes the song. Performed by the Sax player from Roxy Music.
Thin Lizzie is another one of the progressive bands of the era.. Wishbone Ash--/Emerson Lake and Palmer --/Yes --/ what a great time it was. Thanks for the memory
You're right about the Queen connection. They were friends with Queen and Queen supported Mott the Hoople on tour (yes!) which inspired Queen to write the hit song Now I'm Here. That song mentions Hoople in the lyrics! Worth checking out. Also worth checking out David Bowie and Ian Hunter (Mott's lead singer) performing this song with Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium!
The band’s name was taken from a 1966 novel of the same name written by Willard Manus. In the book, the main character, Norman Mott thinks of himself as a “hoople.” Hoople is a slang term for a ne’er-do-well. Manus explained the term means fool, rogue, buffoon, and even sucker. - American Songwriter
Props to the person that suggested this. RSR getting directed in the right direction. I'm surprised you didn't affiliate this with John Lennon. It has a serious John Lennon influence to it. If you are looking for a total vibe, check out "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan.
They had 2 great albums that followed this.one before they split. The 1973 follow up to this one entitled "Mott" has a classic opening track "All the Way From Memphis" that is SO worth checking out!! Then they released "The Hoople" album in '74 with a raucous opener "The Golden Age of Rock & Roll". An awsesome tribute to '50's rock. Lead guitarist Mick Ralphs left while they were recording this album to help form Bad Co. Then lead singer Ian Hunter went solo and wrote himself a minor hit with "Once Bitten Twice Shy" that turned into a big hit for 80's band Great White, when they covered it. The remaining members carried on after adding a new singer, guitarist & keyboardist under the shortened band name "Mott", with underwhelming success. They then became British Lions with little success before disolving.
Just amazing how much this sounds like a Bowie sound (the style and delivery, not the voice). You could recognize this as a Bowie song for sure even if you didn't know!
I've been a huge Mott fan since my sister brought home their 1974 album, The Hoople, trying to impress the guy she was infatuated with. Turns out he wasn't a big fan, just had borrowed a friend's LP. She dropped the guy, kept listening to Mott. Ian Hunter's voice is earthy fabulous. He is a prolific songwriter himself and received the 2005 Songwriter Award from Classic Rock Magazine. I love his solo work, especially his album, All American Alien Boy, the title song accompanied by a fabulous sax by a young David Sanborn and bass guitar by the late great Jaco Pastorius. For more Mott, there are many really great songs to check out : Violence, I Wish I Was Your Mother (warning: emotionally tender!), Marionette, Roll Away The Stone, Alice, and my favorite: Crash Street Kidds. For Ian Hunter Solo: All American Alien Boy, I Get So Excited, Irene Wilde, Letter to Britannia from the Union Jack (you'll love this one). So many more have been mentioned by others. Obviously I cannot praise them/him enough 😊 Blessings ❤
When I first heard the chorus of this song, back in the day, I thought: This is the Beatles. But listening to the lead I realized it was not. It was the same year or close to it when the fab Five broke up. Terrific song.
Great reaction! I have dug this band since their debut album in 1969. They had an FM radio hit (so to speak) from that album that’s a flat-out rocker that I think you would enjoy, “ Rock and Roll Queen.” Would love to see y’all’s reaction to it. They’ve got a lot of great songs to dive into.Thanks for getting to them. BTW, I named a cat I had after Buffin, their drummer.
This was the first band I saw live when they came to my home city of Carlisle UK back in the day, what a night, what a show and a band that is so underated .
Brought me back with this GREAT song!! I bought this 45 single in 1987, when the CD boom made vinyl available for cheap! I got this 1972 song (and many other oldies) for 99 cents. Played it to death!! Hearing it just now got me kinda misty, and I didn't even know it when it first came out. When I first heard it in the early 80's, I immediately recognized the heavy Bowie presence. THANKS!!👍🏾❤
I saw singer and lead man Ian Hunter at a small club in San Francisco in the early 1990s. I wasn't more than 6 feet away from him on the small stage behind a keyboard. He rocked at great as ever. The man has a great stage personality.
Early glam rock, in Bowie's circle, the lead singer, Ian Hunter, always reminds me of a light-haired John Cooper Clarke, who wrote and performed "Evidently Chickentown", which was apparently the soundtrack at the end of "The Sopranos". A jumbojet of attitude. And truly...why need TV when you got T. Rex?
I've just found your channel and wow! You guys are amazing! Opening me up to new songs. I love your positive vibe and the way you both move to the music! I love it! 🎶Keep shining! ⭐✨⭐✨⭐
Great band from back in the day, they were friends with David Bowie and saw them twice in 73/74, the first time a young Aerosmith opened for them, the 2nd time it was Queen on their first American tour. I was beyond lucky to see these shows! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
I saw them on that tour with Queen as the warm up in Memphis, 4/20/74. Knew what hotel they were at, went down there to see if I could meet Mott lead singer Ian Hunter. I didn’t, but ran into Freddie Mercury instead. Memorable night.
A little sad, too, in that the 4/20/74 show I saw, when Queen was still barely known in the U.S., was 18 years to the day before the Tribute Concert for Freddie after his death. I saw Queen in New Orleans on that 1978 tour. What city did you see them in?
Ian Hunter, Mott the Hoople lead singer, guitarist and songwriter is now 84 years old and still rocking. Check out Once Bitten Twice Shy and All the Way From Memphis just two more from their huge discography.
The next song of theirs you’ve got to listen to is The Golden Age of Rock and Roll! Absolutely fantastic. It’ll get you moving. Something in it for both of you. Jay- it’s got piano, Amber - it’s sax heavy, and lots of horns for both of you.
Great song! Mick Ralphs was a member of Mott The Hoople prior to forming Bad Company. Ready for love was originally performed by Mott the Hoople before Bad Company covered it. Both are great versions
I've been a Mott the Hoople & Ian Hunter fan since I bought their "The Hoople" in 1974. I backfilled their album catalogue, and continue to buy their solo works. This song is special because my school friend gave me the Dudes single. He tragically died too young due to cancer, so the track is a permanent memory. As for Ian Hunter, he has just released another solo album (Defiance Part 2 - Fiction) and he will be celebrating his 85th birthday on 3rd June 2024.
Fun fact - Queen actually toured with them (as the SUPPORTING act) at one point and have a song that mentions Mott the Hoople by name, with the line "Down in the city, just Hoople and me" in the song "Now I'm Here" from their album *Sheer Heart Attack*.
Amen. I wish I had dug into the back story of this. I had no idea David Bowie wrote this. Just a great simple hook in the chorus. I don't remember much from the verses but the chorus is fantastic and sticks with you all these years later.
During the late 60s my favorite band was Bread. Then in the early 70s this song and album (both All The Young Dudes) came out and they became my favorite band. They had released 2 prior albums but then David Bowie wrote this song for them, and produced this albumm for them and they went from relative obscurity to stardom. Some other tracks by them to react to include All The Way to Memphis/ Roll Away The Stone/ The Golden Age Of Rack and Roll.
I am so glad you guys are getting to Mott the Hoople. They have a ton of great songs and were really big in the 70's. The first time I saw them live Queen was their opening act. David Bowie actually wrote this song for them and they released it and the rest is history. Please react to All The Way From Memphis, The Golden Age of Rock and Roll, Roll Away The Stone, and Ready For Love just to name a few.
The band was about to break up but David Bowie, a fan, persuaded them not to, gave the song to them and produced the album. He’s one of the singers in the chorus too. David Bowie did everything back then.
the song references T Rex too
he Didn't write the song for them, he wrote the song and when he heard they were breaking up offered Sufferagette City, which they turned down, he then offered Dudes
@@BGNOLA Love T. Rex!!!
Every song on this album is good.
@@cliffordjones9226 made the change, thanks
Written by Bowie. The world has been darker since he died. Love this song.
He (David) was weird, but beautiful. He is one guy I would have liked to be friends with.
@@nicerperson1 Yep. And yet quietly comedic and quite down to earth in many ways - for a Star Man! Agree with you and OP. I miss the Bowie so much.
Yea Bowie is all over this one!
The cover by Bruce Dickinson is excellent.
Bowie ain't dead. He retired to the underground cities, with Elvis and Princess Leia. I have a video that proves it.
All the Way from Memphis is another great song by this underated band
Great song.
All the way from Memphis is a great tune.
Came here to say this. That song SLAPS!
Probably mentioned somewhere earlier in comments, but All the Way from Memphis was used in Scorsese’s movie ‘Alice doesn’t live here anymore’…
Love that song! All The Way From Memphis rocks!
Ian Hunter - lead vocals, piano; Mick Ralphs - electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals (he would go on to Bad Company);
David Bowie - backing vocals and wrote this song!
edit- Check out their "All the Way from Memphis" !!
Ian Hunter is a good guitarist on top of that, but Mick played those opening licks. Pete Watts on bass and I think it was Dale Griffin played drums, not sure likely Verden Allen in the organ. Mick is way up front and Bowie is really low in the mix in the backing vocal on the chorus, Ian just way up over top.
Yes!! I loved the chorus on that one. lol
That one plus "Cleveland Rocks" and from Ian Hunter solo, "Bastard" is an absolute gem!
Ian Hunter, Mott the Hoople’s singer, guitarist and songwriter is 84 years old and still rocking. Check out Once Bitten Twice Shy, and All the Way From Memphis for a couple of tasters.
Did you mean legendary Mick Ronson on guitars?
Ian Hunter is a totally underappreciated genius, Doesn't hurt when Bowie gives you a gem like this.
Boy, are you right, my friend.
I like Ian Hunters solo music. He did give us Cleveland Rocks.
I met my late wife KK, in mid 80’s L.A. She was a bass player, a devotee of Mott’s bass player, Pete Overend Watts. I can still see her beauty, 1972 era London glam shag haircut, frilly cuffs, Elizabethan velvet coat, thigh high powder blue platform boots carrying her Gibson Thunderbird bass. I miss her terribly but fond memories of her when I hear this tune. Thank you.❤️
Another great example of how a memory can be so sweet and heartbreaking at same time.
You can tell this is a David Bowie song if you're a hardcore fan.
Yup. I always get Bowie vibes from this song.
True. It's also to MTH's credit that Mick Ralphs came up with the riff and Ian Hunter added the rap to make it their own. One need only listen to the version Bowie did on David Live to hear the different approach. Both good, but I doubt it would have been a hit if they'd adopted a similar arrangement.
Also I’ve seen Bowie perform it and he absolutely kills it
Yeah. Can be perfectly fit into Ziggy Stardust album.
As a teenager in the early 2000's I 100% thought this was performed by him and could never understand why I couldn't find it in any of Bowie's albums or singles online lol
“Roll Away the Stone” was another hit for this band and worth reacting to.
YES!!!!!! Definitely! Just the timing when the backing vocalists start their line is so amazing. Pretty much a banger!
Yes, I love that one 😊
❤❤it
Queens first US tour was as Mott the Hoople's opening act. They give Mott so much respect and credit for the exposure and mentorship. There is a shout out to them on the Sheer Heart Attack album. The song Now I'm Here (which you should react to because you will love it) is about their experience on that first US tour
With the line
"Down in the city just Hoople 'n' me. Don't I love him so."
Saw them live in 74 and the opening act was Queen on their first US Tour. Incredible. Queen blew everyone away even tho no one had ever heard of them.
I was coming on to say this. Now when they sing Now I'm here they sing Now in the front it's just Freddie and me instead of Hoople.
I saw them together in 74 too, in Memphis. Curious to know what city you saw them in?
I saw their St. Louis show in 1974 and saw every Queen tour thereafter.
Now I’m Here live is the best, especially from Live Killers or the Concert for the People of Kampuchea album.
The whole lyric (by Bowie) is a tongue-in-cheek ridicule/celebration of the times. It’s drenched in the slang and attitudes of the time, a classic British affectionate mocking of themselves . Wonderful stuff.
🎵 Oh man, I need TV when I got T Rex! 🎵
My favorite line…see profile pic. 😊
That's awesome !
Guitarist Mick Ralphs later goes on to be a founding member of Bad Company.
Piano player Ian Hunter eventually goes solo and writes the classic rock staple Once Bitten, Twice Shy...later covered by Great White.
I forgot all about Ian's cover of Once Bitten, Twice Shy. That was my favorite version of that song
@@JDdiGriz Don't forget Cleveland Rocks!!
@@henrywilson9928 Wasn't that on the same album?
@@JDdiGriz Ian Hunter wrote the song, it wasn't a cover for him
@@JDdiGriz No it was on Ian's solo album.
Lead singer Ian Hunter did the song "Cleveland Rocks," which has since become an anthem for that city--the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
If I were Cleveland I'd kick the R&RHoF out.
Most people probably thinks it’s the theme song of “The Drew Carey Show”. CIAO!!
Don't ever mention the RRHoF again ,this isn't a political channel, ty so much
Aww brilliant ,glad you reviewed this ❤️
"I've wanted to do this for years.!" Criminally Underrated band. Your favorite band's favorite band. Queen was heavily influenced by them. They opened for Mott the Hoople on the first tour.
Founding member and guitarist Mick Ralphs went on to help found Bad Company. Also, Ian Hunter performed this tune at the Wembley Aids concert to honor Freddie Mercury hosted by Queen.
You've heard the name of this band before. The first line in Man On The Moon by REM is "Mott the Hoople and the game of Life".
They are name checked in a Queen song too. Something like " down in the city Hoople and me ..."
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
@@auldfouter8661 The song is also name-checked in the brilliant song "Ten Years Asleep" by Kingmaker. The line is:-
All the young dudes
Work for all the old brutes
In expensive suits
@@auldfouter8661brilliant! You’re quite right: the song is Now I’m Here. I knew the lyric. Didn’t know about them supporting Mott on a US tour.
The unmistakable vocals of Bowie in the bavkground
Sent at least 10 suggestions months ago and this was one of them
Brilliant seeing your reactions made my day
That's David Bowie singing background vocals. He also wrote the song for his friends in Mott the Hoople. And it's funny you should mention Queen, they were great friends as well and both bands went on tours together. Queen also sang backup on Ian Hunter's (Mott's lead singer and writer) later solo album.
‘Well my brother’s back at home with his Beatles and his Stones. He never got off on that Revolution stuff. What a drag. To many snags’
Wow, all these years, I never realized David Bowie wrote this. I thought this was all Ian Hunter. But, in that light, it sounds like a Bowie song, cool.
And he sings in the background, his voice in the Refrains is so strong :D
It absolutely sounds like a Bowie song. I'll let more qualified dudes explain why.
Written by David Bowie.
The chorus has a "Hey Jude" sing-a-long vibe, doesn't it.
It does...for sure. ☺
I’ve been schooled, I always thought this was the Beatles 🤦🏻♀️
Sort of.
Actually written by David Bowie.
It's got so many British cultural references - 'stealing clothes from Marks & Sparks' is a reference to the chainj store marks & Spencer, which then was a middle class chain.
Funny - just made a similar comment. To this day I can only say M&S or Marks & Sparks.
No, no, I'm Spencius. 'S my brother what's Marcus. We're in partnership now, you know. Marcus & Spencius. Carry on Cleo.
…Dudes - The ultimate Glam-Rock anthem. “Roll Away The Stone” is another Mott banger.
The performance of this at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert is just wonderful. With the great Ian Hunter on lead vocal, he's backed not only by the three surving members of Queen, but also David Bowie(!) on backing vocals and saxophone, the mercurial Mick Ronson of the Spiders from Mars on guitar, and two members of Def Leppard on additional backing vocals. Given the shared history of three of these bans and the fandom of the other, and the emotion of the occasion, it's a stunning rock moment. Highly recommended. Rest easy, Mick, David and Freddie.
Thanks for the tip! I just watched it & you're right, it was fantastic!! What a thrill it must have been for David Bowie to perform his song live with the band he gifted it to! I must say, Ian Hunter looked like he could have been Jeff Lynn's long lost brother 😆
Interestingly Ian & Bowie had only recently made up after years of animosity over the amount of interference Bowie was causing in the group.
Mott The Hoople was a character in a British novel, a circus freak. The band, one of the greatest in UK history, had a rabid following in England. For a time they were banned because there were riots at their gigs. They never had much commercial success and were going to break up when David Bowie talked them out of it and wrote this for them and they took off from there. The leader, Ian Hunter, had a soulful Dylanesque quality. The band featured both piano and organ
The memories come flooding back, 13 years old when this came out, David Bowie was aghast when he heard that Mott were going to quit, so he wrote them a song and the rest is rock history.
Yes, Yes, Yes. What a great rabbit hole to jump into guys. Mott The Hoople is such a great band. First off, the song is written by David Bowie. He also produced the album, played sax in songs & I'm sure did some backing vocals.
So the story goes, Mott The Hoople had put out four albums before All The Young Dudes. And the albums didn't sale so they was about to give it up. But Bowie was a huge fan of their band so he talked them into doing another album & gave them that song & of course it hit big. But the albums before had some great tunes also, obviously since Bowie was a fan.
The band at that point was
Ian Hunter - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano & wrote the majority of their songs. Ian would have a great solo career & had Mick Ronson playing guitar for him through most of his solo career. Ronson was Bowie's guitarist in the Ziggy Stardust days.
Mick Ralphs on lead guitar & vocals. Mick would do one more album with them after Dudes & would leave to form Bad Company. In fact one of the songs that on the debut album for Bad Company he originally recorded with Mott on the Dudes album. Ready For Love which was a pretty good hit for BC.
Overend Watts on bass, Buffin on drums & Verden Allen on organ & vocals. Morgan Fisher would later join to
I can't believe I hit send. Morgan Fisher would later join to add another keyboard player & Ariel Bender took over for
Songs to hit
All the way from Memphis
Drivin' Sister
One Of The Boys
The Golden Age Of Rock & Roll
Roll Away The Stone
Born Late 58
I Wish I Was Your Mother
Sweet Jane ( Lou Reed cover)
Rock & Roll Queen
Walking With A Mountain.
"All the Way From Memphis" is a _great_ song, and was used by Martin Scorcese at the beginning of his film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore."
It was also covered by Contraband. Members from Ratt Vixen LA guns and Michael Schenker
David Bowie.. From beyond the grave.. Still rocking... Take yet, another Bow... R.I.P.
Take yet another Bow…ie
@@thekenzosh touche...🤘😅👌
Have LOVED THIS TUNE since it hit the airways!! GREAT PICK!! Thanks for the reaction!! :)
Great reaction to a great song and band, more tracks by, 'Mott The Hoople':
"Roll Away the Stone",
"Rock and Roll Queen",
"All The he Way from Memphis",
"Hymn for The Dudes",
"The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll",
"Jerkin' Crocus",
"Crash Street Kidds",
"Sweet Jane",
"Hold On, You're Crazy",
"One of The Boys",
"Ready for Love/After Lights",
"Pearl 'n' Roy (England)",
"Whizz Kid".
There are many more but these are good ones to continue with.
Always loved this song. Got heavy air play in the early to mid 70s. Bowie, a big fan, 0:02 wrote the song for them as they were about to break up. And Queen opened for Mott in early years & refer to them in the song Now I’m Here from the Sheer Heart Attack album. Ian Hunter the lead singer /. This song was played at the Freddie tribute concert with Ian Hunter, Bowie & surviving Queen members.
We all loved this song back in the day and we just shouted that chorus. You can tell it's a Bowie song.
Listen to the chorus 'carry the news' and you can hear that vocal high flip that Bowie does so well. Mott are a good band - I saw them too late when what was left of the band had become British Lions and were supporting Status Quo on tour.
I’ve known and liked this since ‘73. I delivered newspapers for the Detroit News. I remember the station manager when we would pick up our papers would yell out as we walked ot with our newspapers - All the young dudes - deliver the news
I love that you love Bowies music when you don't know it's him. There is no mistaking his music and that fabulous voice. ❤
One of David Bowie's favorite bands. They were on the verge of breaking up, and he offered them one of his songs. They passed on Suffragete City, but chose this one. It was their biggest hit. You can hear Bowie's voice in the chorus of the song.
A gift of Glam from David Bowie. Damn good times….
Funny you should say Queen. On Mott’s final tour before they broke up , Queen and Aerosmith were the Opening Acts for Mott the Hoople. David Bowie had written this song for his Ziggy Stardust album, but offered it to Mott because Mott was breaking up. All the Young Dudes went to #3 in England and Mott the Hoople had 3 Wonderful Albums in a row before breaking up for good Guitarist Mick Ralphs went on to for Bad Company. Lead Singer Ian Hunter had moderate success as a Solo Artist with hits that were Covered by Great White (Once Bitten Twice Sky) All the Way From Memphis (Conraband) & Cleveland Rocks from the Drew Carey TV Show
Was at the Mott the Hoople show at the Uris Theater in NY. The last of what I think was 6 shows and yes, opening act Queen(the only time Queen would open for anyone). My friend and I had 7th row orchestra seats on left side aisle. Ralph's had already left the group and was replaced by Aeriel Bender(Luther Grosvenor of Spooky Tooth) who played a helluva show. One of the most memorable shows I ever saw. Ian Hunter has continued both solo, with Mick Ronson(Bowie guitarist and producer) and the Rant Band and remains 1 of rocks best creators, songwriters. Amber would like "I Wish I Was Your Mother" a lot. Great songs by these guys.
Mott The Hoople was on the verge of breaking up, and their peer David Bowie gave them this song to perform before to keep them from doing so- and this wound up being not only their best-known song, but a defining song from the early 70s glam rock era. Another great song on this album is their version of "Sweet Jane", originally done by The Velvet Underground.
Mott the Hoople Song “All the Young Dudes” is the 70’s British Glam Rock Anthem released in 1972
So many Iconic British 70s references in this song which you would be forgiven for missing - an anthem for my generation.
When this song came out I assumed it was Bowie and thought man he's come up with another great one. Then somebody told me it wasn't Bowie it was some group named Mott the Hoople. I was shocked until a few days later I was informed that Bowie wrote and sang background vocals on it and I was like okay, I'm not crazy. Great tune!
The reason it sounds like it could have come from any era is that, as others have mentioned, its a Bowie creation. Such a unique mind he had, pinning a Bowie song fown to a specific year or even decade is so hard, he was so eclectic.
The singer, Ian Hunter, had a few solo hits in the late 70s, most notably his album You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic including the song "Cleveland Rocks" which was used as the theme song for The Drew Carey Show.
Queen opened for Mott The Hoople on one of Queen's early tours - seems crazy now but it's true. The band's vocalist Ian Hunter , who had a Scots father , is now nearly 85 years old.
Ian Hunter had a solo hit in the 80s that saw rotation on MTV called 'All the Good Ones Are Taken' it has some sax parts too.
Saw Ian Hunter at a club in Houston called Cardi’s in 1981. Good show.
Mott The Hoople were one of the best bands of the 70`s . This is a Bowie cover and their first hit of many , all great. I wore out their first three albums
When you cover All the Way From Memphis, make sure you do the original album version. The saxophone solo makes the song. Performed by the Sax player from Roxy Music.
Mott The Hoople, the only band Queen ever opened for.
Down in the city just Hoople and me - from Now I'm Here.
They participated in the Freddy Mercury concert
Love this song. written by David Bowie. Bowie also recorded his version, but Mott The Hoople's is considered the best by most people.
Bowie s version is also great.
Singer Ian Hunter solo had a banger "Cleveland Rocks". (play it loud!)
Sweet! So sweet! I bought this album years ago just for this song and was delighted to find that the whole album is this good.
'70s glam rock.
Like Sweet, T-Rex, Queen, Kiss, NY Dolls, etc
DONT 4GET SLADE
Not surprised to hear that this was written by Bowie -- the sound is such a weird blend of Bowie and Beatles. All hail the Hoople.
Thin Lizzie is another one of the progressive bands of the era.. Wishbone Ash--/Emerson Lake and Palmer --/Yes --/ what a great time it was. Thanks for the memory
Thin Lizzy is a versatile rock band but not a progressive rock band
Thin Lizzy (not Lizzie) a progressive rock band? Give your head a wobble.
Basically early to mid 70s. Can't miss with "Honaloochie Boogie", "All the Way from Memphis", "Ballad of Mott", or "Sweet Jane".
That album was great all those songs
You're right about the Queen connection. They were friends with Queen and Queen supported Mott the Hoople on tour (yes!) which inspired Queen to write the hit song Now I'm Here. That song mentions Hoople in the lyrics! Worth checking out. Also worth checking out David Bowie and Ian Hunter (Mott's lead singer) performing this song with Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium!
Oh it's the British Glitter Rock era! It helped lead to Americas glitter rock eventually.
And, of course, you can hear Bowie's voice all over the place in the chorus.
The band’s name was taken from a 1966 novel of the same name written by Willard Manus. In the book, the main character, Norman Mott thinks of himself as a “hoople.” Hoople is a slang term for a ne’er-do-well. Manus explained the term means fool, rogue, buffoon, and even sucker. - American Songwriter
Props to the person that suggested this. RSR getting directed in the right direction. I'm surprised you didn't affiliate this with John Lennon. It has a serious John Lennon influence to it. If you are looking for a total vibe, check out "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan.
Absolutely react to "Hurdy Gurdy Man" with back up support by musicians who were about to become Led Zeppelin.
My favorite Donovan song! Great suggestion...
One of rock's great choruses, listenable over and over. Glad you both liked it, and for the reasons we do too!
They had 2 great albums that followed this.one before they split. The 1973 follow up to this one entitled "Mott" has a classic opening track "All the Way From Memphis" that is SO worth checking out!! Then they released "The Hoople" album in '74 with a raucous opener "The Golden Age of Rock & Roll". An awsesome tribute to '50's rock. Lead guitarist Mick Ralphs left while they were recording this album to help form Bad Co. Then lead singer Ian Hunter went solo and wrote himself a minor hit with "Once Bitten Twice Shy" that turned into a big hit for 80's band Great White, when they covered it. The remaining members carried on after adding a new singer, guitarist & keyboardist under the shortened band name "Mott", with underwhelming success. They then became British Lions with little success before disolving.
Just amazing how much this sounds like a Bowie sound (the style and delivery, not the voice). You could recognize this as a Bowie song for sure even if you didn't know!
I've been a huge Mott fan since my sister brought home their 1974 album, The Hoople, trying to impress the guy she was infatuated with. Turns out he wasn't a big fan, just had borrowed a friend's LP. She dropped the guy, kept listening to Mott.
Ian Hunter's voice is earthy fabulous. He is a prolific songwriter himself and received the 2005 Songwriter Award from Classic Rock Magazine.
I love his solo work, especially his album, All American Alien Boy, the title song accompanied by a fabulous sax by a young David Sanborn and bass guitar by the late great Jaco Pastorius.
For more Mott, there are many really great songs to check out : Violence, I Wish I Was Your Mother (warning: emotionally tender!), Marionette, Roll Away The Stone, Alice, and my favorite: Crash Street Kidds.
For Ian Hunter Solo: All American Alien Boy, I Get So Excited, Irene Wilde, Letter to Britannia from the Union Jack (you'll love this one).
So many more have been mentioned by others. Obviously I cannot praise them/him enough 😊
Blessings ❤
Cool, can I get your sister's digits?
Always loved this song it’s so different but its fantastic one of my favorite songs of all time ❤❤❤
When I first heard the chorus of this song, back in the day, I thought: This is the Beatles. But listening to the lead I realized it was not. It was the same year or close to it when the fab Five broke up. Terrific song.
Great reaction! I have dug this band since their debut album in 1969. They had an FM radio hit (so to speak) from that album that’s a flat-out rocker that I think you would enjoy, “ Rock and Roll Queen.” Would love to see y’all’s reaction to it. They’ve got a lot of great songs to dive into.Thanks for getting to them. BTW, I named a cat I had after Buffin, their drummer.
This was the first band I saw live when they came to my home city of Carlisle UK back in the day, what a night, what a show and a band that is so underated .
This song was played at partys none stop in the 70s and everyone was singing and it takes me back to them times every time I hear it.
One of the defining songs of the soundtrack of my high school years.
Brought me back with this GREAT song!! I bought this 45 single in 1987, when the CD boom made vinyl available for cheap! I got this 1972 song (and many other oldies) for 99 cents. Played it to death!! Hearing it just now got me kinda misty, and I didn't even know it when it first came out. When I first heard it in the early 80's, I immediately recognized the heavy Bowie presence. THANKS!!👍🏾❤
I saw singer and lead man Ian Hunter at a small club in San Francisco in the early 1990s. I wasn't more than 6 feet away from him on the small stage behind a keyboard. He rocked at great as ever. The man has a great stage personality.
Bowie, who wrote it, has done versions of this live. Worth checking out.
Song written and produced by the amazing, immortal, and VERY much missed Bowie.
Early glam rock, in Bowie's circle, the lead singer, Ian Hunter, always reminds me of a light-haired John Cooper Clarke, who wrote and performed "Evidently Chickentown", which was apparently the soundtrack at the end of "The Sopranos". A jumbojet of attitude. And truly...why need TV when you got T. Rex?
I've just found your channel and wow! You guys are amazing! Opening me up to new songs. I love your positive vibe and the way you both move to the music! I love it! 🎶Keep shining! ⭐✨⭐✨⭐
LOVE THIS !!! THANKS !!! ... MOTT and Ian Hunter have so much good stuff
Great band from back in the day, they were friends with David Bowie and saw them twice in 73/74, the first time a young Aerosmith opened for them, the 2nd time it was Queen on their first American tour. I was beyond lucky to see these shows! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
This was played in the movie Clueless
It's funny you should mention Queen. They toured with this band and they mention them in the song titled "Now I'm Here."
I saw them on that tour with Queen as the warm up in Memphis, 4/20/74. Knew what hotel they were at, went down there to see if I could meet Mott lead singer Ian Hunter. I didn’t, but ran into Freddie Mercury instead. Memorable night.
@@3ScotsInk that's a cool memory to have. I never had the pleasure of seeing them, although I did see Queen in 1978.
They're also mentioned in the song "Man on the Moon" by REM.
A little sad, too, in that the 4/20/74 show I saw, when Queen was still barely known in the U.S., was 18 years to the day before the Tribute Concert for Freddie after his death. I saw Queen in New Orleans on that 1978 tour. What city did you see them in?
@@3ScotsInkHollywood Sportatorium in Florida, November 3, 1978.
One of my favorite bands. Listened to them a lot as a very young kid. (best thing about having 7 older sibs...lots of music) Lead singer is Ian Hunter
Ian Hunter, Mott the Hoople lead singer, guitarist and songwriter is now 84 years old and still rocking. Check out Once Bitten Twice Shy and All the Way From Memphis just two more from their huge discography.
This band was active from 1969 to 1974. Ian Hunter went on to become a solo artist and his work is worth exploring.
The next song of theirs you’ve got to listen to is The Golden Age of Rock and Roll! Absolutely fantastic. It’ll get you moving. Something in it for both of you. Jay- it’s got piano, Amber - it’s sax heavy, and lots of horns for both of you.
Great song! Mick Ralphs was a member of Mott The Hoople prior to forming Bad Company. Ready for love was originally performed by Mott the Hoople before Bad Company covered it. Both are great versions
Such a great song. Your smiles say it all.
I've been a Mott the Hoople & Ian Hunter fan since I bought their "The Hoople" in 1974. I backfilled their album catalogue, and continue to buy their solo works.
This song is special because my school friend gave me the Dudes single. He tragically died too young due to cancer, so the track is a permanent memory.
As for Ian Hunter, he has just released another solo album (Defiance Part 2 - Fiction) and he will be celebrating his 85th birthday on 3rd June 2024.
I was lucky to hear them in an off campus bar next to Chico State, they also sang "roll away the stone" & "All the Way from Memphis"
Fun fact - Queen actually toured with them (as the SUPPORTING act) at one point and have a song that mentions Mott the Hoople by name, with the line "Down in the city, just Hoople and me" in the song "Now I'm Here" from their album *Sheer Heart Attack*.
I saw that tour in Waterbury, CT, Queen did stuff from their first couple albums and were an eye opener to say the least. Awesome show!
@@vicprovost2561 Soooooo jealous!!!
@@sadfaery Mott the Hoople was the headliner, fantastic show!
One of the songs that's part of the soundtrack of my youth! Thanks for this!!! So much love and emotion!!
Amen. I wish I had dug into the back story of this. I had no idea David Bowie wrote this. Just a great simple hook in the chorus. I don't remember much from the verses but the chorus is fantastic and sticks with you all these years later.
During the late 60s my favorite band was Bread. Then in the early 70s this song and album (both All The Young Dudes) came out and they became my favorite band. They had released 2 prior albums but then David Bowie wrote this song for them, and produced this albumm for them and they went from relative obscurity to stardom. Some other tracks by them to react to include All The Way to Memphis/ Roll Away The Stone/ The Golden Age Of Rack and Roll.
I am so glad you guys are getting to Mott the Hoople. They have a ton of great songs and were really big in the 70's. The first time I saw them live Queen was their opening act. David Bowie actually wrote this song for them and they released it and the rest is history. Please react to All The Way From Memphis, The Golden Age of Rock and Roll, Roll Away The Stone, and Ready For Love just to name a few.