The U.K.’s Mott the Hoople, led by Ian Hunter, has announced new U.S. dates for their ongoing 1974-lineup reunion tour.
The band played several dates in the States in the spring, and will return in the fall with nearly a dozen new shows. Scroll down to the bottom for the full itinerary.
The lineup, consisting of Hunter, Ariel Bender and Morgan Fisher, will regroup for a set based around the 1974 albums The Hoople and Live, plus the non-album greatest hits.
An announcement for an earlier set of U.K. reunion dates, which appeared on Hunter’s personal website, said, “From 1969 to 1973, Mott the Hoople were a two-headed beast, with songwriting duties split between Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs, as well as the odd notable exception from Verden Allen. By the end of 1973, Mick and Verden had both left the band to see what else was out there for them. This left Ian Hunter as the sole songwriter, with the notable exception of Overend Watts fan favorite, ‘Born Late ’58.’
1974’s ‘The Hoople’
“With Hunter now given free rein, 1974’s The Hoople explored ideas and concepts that are now widely credited as having influenced everyone from the punk movement to Queen, with the latter supporting the band and cited by Brian May as the only band that Queen ever supported. 1974 was also arguably Mott’s most intensely creative period with the studio album, four hit singles—‘Roll Away The Stone,’ ‘The Golden Age of Rock ’n’ Roll,’ ‘Foxy Foxy’ and ‘Saturday Gigs’—plus a live album, half of which was taken from their week long stint at the Uris Theatre, Broadway.
“The live album highlighted the talents of Mick and Verden’s replacements—Ariel Bender and Morgan Fisher respectively—who breathed new life into classics and crowd favorites alike: ‘All The Young Dudes,’ ‘All The Way From Memphis,’ ‘Honaloochie Boogie,’ ‘Rose,’ ‘Rest In Peace’ and ‘Walking With A Mountain’ forming the core of the live album.”
Related: Joe Elliott of Def Leppard on Mott the Hoople
In 2009 and 2013, the 1969-1973 lineup completed two highly successful reunion tours. At the time, many fans asked whether it would ever be possible to see the “Class Of ’74”—Hunter, Bender and Fisher—back together again.
Mott the Hoople in 1974
Said the initial announcement, “As it would have been impossible to try and replace Mott’s rhythm section, Overend Watts and Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin, who are both now sadly deceased and with Mick Ralphs having suffered health issues which would preclude him appearing, the time seemed right to try something a little different.”
Watch the band perform “All the Way From Memphis” during the U.K. leg of the tour
Hunter, Bender and Fisher will be augmented by James Mastro (guitar, saxophone, mandolin), Steve Holley (drums, backing vocals), Mark Bosch (guitar), Paul Page (bass) and Dennis Dibrizzi (keys, backing vocals).
Tickets are available here and here.
Fall 2019 Tour Dates—Mott The Hoople Class of ’74
OCT 21, The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
OCT 22, Warner Theatre, Washington, DC
OCT 24, Coca-Cola Roxy, Atlanta, GA
OCT 26, War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville, TN
OCT 28, Majestic Theatre, Dallas, TX
OCT 29, ACL Live @ Moody Theater, Austin, TX
OCT 31, Talking Stick Resort Ballroom, Scottsdale, AZ
NOV 1, The Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
NOV 3, Fox Theater, Oakland, CA
NOV 5, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR
NOV 6, The Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA
Watch a home video made by Mott’s Morgan Fisher during the 1974 tour
5 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationThis is amazing! One of the first concerts I saw was the “Class of ’74” Mott. By the time they got to South Bend, IN Morris Civic Auditorium, Queen had bowed out of the tour due to Brian May having, I believe, mono, Pre-first album Kansas opened.Mott was amazing. beginning with a cold opening “American Pie” excerpt, thru to the encore, this was a very different band from “Mad Shadows” or “Mott.” During guitar solos, Morgan Fischer would sit on top of his grand piano sipping champagne. A puppet near center stage spewed feathers everywhere to accent “Marionette” (I still have some of them, along with the poster and ticket). I thought the show was impressive because it was one of my first, but the ensuing 44 years made it clear–it was unique, influential and rocked like hell with style and class. BTW, Queen played the same 1800 seat Hoosier venue on the “Sheer Heart Attack” tour, (supported by–get this-Kansas AGAIN, and Mahogany Rush) yet another once-in-a-lifetime rock experience.
I’m looking forward to getting the US dates!
The prospect of Mott the Hoople live on stage in 2019 is overwhelming. Truly a dream come true for this longtime fan.
Hello. they barely have many dates. They miss denver and kansas city. And more. Well they should go back and do some more shows.
Oh, I loved “The Hoople” album and of course Ian Hunter. Wish they were coming to Boston. I hope there’s some recordings of it.