Where do we go from here – I’ve no idea kids. I’m just hoping it gets fed up with me eventually!! Don’t feel sorry for me – it’s been a great run if, indeed, it stays with me, and I have to stop now. Maybe it will sod off at some point – I just don’t know. Mott the Hoople ’74 are disappointed to have to announce the cancellation of their fall 2019 U.S. tour. The group’s singer and guitarist Ian Hunter has recently developed a severe case of tinnitus and has been advised by his doctors to discontinue performing until this condition subsides.

Ian Hunter Official Website

The first four Mott The Hoople albums have been reissued on 180g vinyl. Mott The Hoople (1969), Mad Shadows (1970), Wildlife (1971) and Brain Capers (1971) were issued by Universal (except in the USA) on 13th September 2019. They are cut from the Andy Pearce masters that were used for the Mental Train box set and the artwork faithfullys reproduce the original LP sleeves, right down to the 'zorro' mask included with Brain Capers. Although the word "audiophile" is not used, 180g vinyl tends to be used for such releases so sound quality should be very good indeed. Mott's three CBS-era albums, All The Young Dudes, Mott and The Hoople have been released in SACD format. These will play on a normal CD player, but also on SACD players which will give listeners audiophile sound quality. More significantly, however, is the fact that The Hoople is available in quadrophonic sound (again, for listeners with suitable audio gear). This is the first time it has been available in this format in the digital age. But close to the end, Hunter delivers a statement of purpose in “This Is What I’m Here For.” Even though he says, “I ain’t nothing special, an average kid,” he says “all I wanted a song I could sing, a little music and a band that could swing, these are a few of my favorite things.” Taking on the age question, he adds “when I was 30, I was over the hill/but 50 years later I still kill ‘em all, I ain’t through… I never listen to the prophets of doom/too busy turning up the volume/from the womb to the tomb… this is what I’m here for/so I might as well enjoy it.” And from all the signs, Defiance, Pt. 1, finds Hunter and his all-star collaborators having he time of their lives. Pt. 2 is promised to follow, which will similarly feature a crew of world-class special guests, says Hunter, but likely “heavier and more political.” I know this puts people out – believe me, I know. I just hope you’ll understand. You’re great fans and I’ll always appreciate you following me – I’m not everybody’s cup of tea!! Obviously the Ranters are bummed out as is Morgan ’n’ the Great Ariel Bender, to say nothing of the crew and business people involved. Thank you, Mike and Frank for your understanding. Former MOTT vocalist Nigel Benjamin has passed away. He was a member of the band from early 1975 to late 1976 and was effectively Ian Hunter's replacement. He featured on the two albums Drive On and Shouting And Pointing. The cause of his passing is not yet known, but I understand he had heart problems in the last few years.Kris Gray, who was Ian Hunter's manager in the late 1990's, is writing his memoirs. He hopes to have them published by the end of the year, despite describing it as "a mammoth task"! Guitarist Darrell Bath has passed away. He played guitar in Ian Hunter's band from 1995 to 2000, and played on the Dirty Laundry and Artful Dodger albums. He passed away peacefully in his sleep 27/28th September. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. It is on the Sun label in North America and UK. Initial reports it would be on a different label in the UK now seem to be wide of the mark. The Feelies: Some Kinda Love: Performing The Music Of The Velvet Underground [Album Review] - October 25, 2023 Former Kinks and Ian Hunter Band keyboard player Ian Gibbons has passed away after a short illness. He was a member of Ian's touring band from 1997 to the mid-2000's and featured on the Astoria live DVD ( Just Another Night) and CD ( The Truth...). I understand he had been suffering from bladder cancer.