Ian Hunter

As the frontman for Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter became a beloved figure of '70s rock, occupying a previously undetected stylistic middle ground between Bob Dylan and David Bowie. As a solo artist he eventually became the Grand Old Man of British rock, even after making his home in the U.S. for decades. Born Ian Hunter Patterson in Shropshire, England, Hunter spent his early childhood in Scotland. He started playing with The Apex Group in Northampton from the late '50s through the early '60s before starting Hurricane Henry and The Shriekers. Relocating to London in 1966 he hooked up with The Scenery. Hunter played with several other bands in the late '60s before starting Mott the Hoople in '69 with guitarist Mick Ralphs, organist Verden Allen, bassist Overend Watts, and drummer Dale Griffin. They released their self-titled debut LP that same year, reaching No. 66 in the U.K. and scoring no hit singles. Attention paid to their next few albums, Mad Shadows, Wildlife, and Brain Capers, was similarly modest. The band's breakthrough finally arrived in 1972 with All the Young Dudes, with its Bowie-written title track reaching No. 3 in the U.K. and making the Top 40 in the U.S. Their next two albums, 1973's Mott and 1974's The Hoople, were similarly successful, placing the band in the top rank of British rockers. But in '74 Hunter and newly arrived guitarist Mick Ronson split, starting the short-lived Hunter Ronson Band in '75. Ronson was an integral part of Hunter's self-titled 1975 solo debut LP, which included the classic "Once Bitten Twice Shy." Ronson and Hunter then parted ways for a time, but Hunter's next album, 1976's All-American Alien Boy, included everyone from Jaco Pastorius to Queen. Ronson returned for Hunter's fourth LP, 1979's You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic, which reached No. 35 in America, Hunter's highest U.S. chart position. He maintained a solid solo career thereafter for decades to come, collaborating with everyone from The Clash's Mick Jones to Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock. In 2001 Hunter took some time out for a busman's holiday with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band. He participated in Mott reunion shows in 2009, '13, 18, and '19. When he turned 80 in 2019 Hunter remained a powerful, energetic onstage presence.