Mott the Hoople

Hunter and Ronson worked and toured together sporadically until 1993, when Ronson died, after which Hunter continued his solo career. However, their album Bacdafucup is one of the most influencial in the history of rap and they are often credited with having founded hardcore rap. After releasing two albums which met with little success, Mott added John Fiddler and became British Lions, soon to split up without any major success. Their first single was "Ah, and We Do It Like This" which did not succeed much. Ronson and Hunter soon left the group to form a duo, while Ray Major and Nigel Benjamin were added to continue the group, which soon changed its name to Mott. The ONYX is a hardcore rap crew that was formed in 1991. After The Hoople, a live album was released and Mick Ronson replaced Bender in 1974. Triggernometry (2003).

Morgan Fisher also joined as keyboardist. Bacdafucup Part II (2002). Ralphs left in 1973 to form Bad Company; he was replaced by former Spooky Tooth guitarist Luther Grosvenor who, for contractual reasons changed his name to Ariel Bender for his stint with the band. Shut 'Em Down (1998). Mott the Hoople's popularity helped lead to the band's break-up, along with an exposé in New Musical Express of Tippens' role in singing the chorus of "All The Young Dudes" from a hidden microphone backstage. All We Got Iz Us (1995). Allen left the band after All the Young Dudes and before the release of a concept album, Mott, which was quite successful. Bacdafucup (1993).

A David Bowie-produced album, also called "All The Young Dudes" was a major success. Sonee Seeza. The song was a major success in the United Kingdom - using Stan Tippens to sing the higher notes of its chorus during live gigs. Sticky Fingaz. Bowie convinced them to stay together and offered them "Suffragette City" (off his then massively popular Ziggy Stardust), but Mott the Hoople refused and asked for "Drive-In Saturday" and eventually received "All the Young Dudes". Fredro Starr. David Bowie had long been a fan of the band and heard that they were about to split (allegedly when Overend Watts contacted him asking if he needed the services of a bass player). Big DS.

Even with a large following, Brain Capers (1971) also did not do well and the band was close to breaking up. The second album, Mad Shadows (1970), sold poorly and received generally negative reviews, as did Wildlife (1971). Mott the Hoople (1969) was a cult success that included memorable cover versions of "Laugh at Me" (Sonny Bono) and an instrumental version of "You Really Got Me" (the Kinks). Tippens became the road manager for the band; he was replaced by Ian Hunter who had replied to a music magazine advertisement which read "Singer wanted, must be image-minded and hungry".

Stevens changed the band's name to Mott the Hoople, taken from a Willard Manus novel. Stan was soon injured and could not sing but the band lobbied and eventually signed with Island Records and moved to London to record with Guy Stevens as producer. Adding high-voiced lead singer Stan Tippens in 1969, the band recorded early tracks at a studio in Monmouth, later dominated by Love Sculpture and Dave Edmunds. Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Overend Pete Watts and Dale Griffin (often referred to as 'Buffin') formed a band called Silence in 1968, playing near Hereford.

Mott the Hoople were a popular 1970s rock and roll band that maintained a large audience without ever achieving mainstream success. Drive On. Shouting And Pointing. Live (1974).

The Hoople (1974). Mott (1973). All The Young Dudes (1972). Brain Capers (1971).

Wildlife (1971). Mad Shadows (1970). Mott The Hoople (1969).