www.ianhunter.com


Latest Ian Hunter News

E-Mail Announcement List

Sign up for the E-Mail List to receive email announcements from the Ian Hunter website.

Ian Hunter - Hot Rocks at Carnegie Hall on 13 Mar 2012

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band will appear at Hot Rocks At Carnegie Hall, an event featuring 21 artists performing the 21 songs from the Rolling Stones' album Hot Rocks 1964-1971. The event benefits a number of music-related charities, and will also feature Marianne Faithfull, Art Garfunkel, Rickie Lee Jones, Ronnie Spector, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Marc Cohn and Jackson Browne among others. Tickets are On Sale Now.

Ian Hunter - Bell House, Brooklyn NY on 30 Mar 2012

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band will headline a special show at the Bell House on 30 March 2012, with Graham Parker in support. Proceeds from the show will go directly toward medical bills and other costs incurred by Graham Maby and his wife Mary Beth, who sadly lost her battle with cancer a couple weeks ago. Tickets to the show are On Sale Now.

Hunter/Ronson Rockpalast Live CD/DVD

At long last, the 1980 Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson live concert broadcast on the German Rockpalast television show has been issued on CD and DVD. Filmed and recorded on 22 April 1980 at Grugahalle in Essen Germany, the show features the band running through 13 songs including two Mick Ronson instrumentals.

Track List: FBI, Once Bitten Twice Shy, Angeline, Laugh At Me, Irene Wilde, I Wish I Was Your Mother, Just Another Night, We Gotta Get Out Of Here, Bastard, Memphis, Cleveland Rocks, All The Young Dudes, Slaughter On 10th Avenue.

Carnegie  Rockpalast 

Fall 2011 Tour Dates

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band will perform four shows at The City Winery in New York City in September 2011, as well as shows in the Midwest and New England in September, October, and November. In addition to the full band dates, and will play a few acoustic shows in the Midwest.

  • 08 Sep 2011 The City Winery, New York NY
  • 09 Sep 2011 The City Winery, New York NY
  • 15 Sep 2011 The City Winery, New York NY
  • 16 Sep 2011 The City Winery, New York NY
  • 17 Sep 2011 The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville PA
  • 23 Sep 2011 (Acoustic) South Milwaukee Performance Arts Center, Milwaukee WI
  • 24 Sep 2011 (Acoustic) Old Town School of Folk, Chicago IL
  • 25 Sep 2011 (Acoustic) Old Town School of Folk, Chicago IL
  • 15 Oct 2011 Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown NY
  • 27 Oct 2011 Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh PA
  • 28 Oct 2011 Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland OH
  • 29 Oct 2011 Magic Bag, Ferndale MI
  • 03 Nov 2011 Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton MA
  • 04 Nov 2011 Paradise Rock Club, Boston MA
  • 05 Nov 2011 Flying Monkey, Plymouth NH
  • 18 Nov 2011 Havana, New Hope PA (rescheduled from 10 Sep 2011)

See the Tour Dates page for more information.

Joe Elliott's Down 'n' Outz DVD

Shot at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo Hammersmith Odeon in London on October 6th 2009, when the band opened for the reunited Mott The Hoople, the DVD is now available through the Down & Outz Website. Bonus material includes footage from the Dave Kilner tribute show (featuring Def Leppard bass played Sav), three promo videos and a behind-the-scenes documentary. The tracklisting is as follows:

  • Golden Opportunity
  • Overnight Angels
  • One More Chance To Run
  • Storm
  • Shouting And Pointing
  • Career (No Such Thing As Rock 'n' Roll)
  • Who Do You Love
  • By Tonight
  • England Rocks
  • Good Times

Independent On Sunday

Ian Hunter was the subject of an extensive article in teh Independent on Sunday, 5 June 2011. The article is available online at the Independent Website.

Ian wants to stress to his fans that there is an error in the story. Ian was not involved in the 'cat and parrot' incident, and only learned about it after the fact. When telling the story, he attributed the incident to the band collectively rather than single out the individual responsible. Further, Ian says that as far as he is aware, the incident was limited to a gas pellet through a keyhole and nothing else.

City Winery  Start Productions  Man Overboard  Down & Outz

Southend On Sea Film Festival

The Ballad of Mott The Hoople documentary will be screened at the Southend On Sea Film Festival on 29 April 2011 at 8:30 PM in the Palace Theatre. Tickets are just £3. The screening will be introduced by co-director Chris Hall and local music writer and DJ Daryl Easlea. 'This remarkable documentary presents the story of this iconic band’s 2009 reunion concerts with passion and affection. Archive footage shows the band in their 70s pomp, with hits such as 'All the Young Dudes', 'Roll Away the Stone' and 'All the Way From Memphis' showing what a singular band they were.'

Hoboken Music and Arts Festival

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band will headline the Hoboken Music and Arts Festival in Hoboken, NJ on Sunday, May 1 2011 from 11am to 6pm. The festival takes place on Washington St. between Observer Highway and 7th St. There will be over 300 Artists, Crafters, Photographers, Local Businesses, Restaurants, and Food Vendors as well as three stages of live music. The festival is held rain or shine, and admission is free.

Chicago Int'l Music & Movies Festival

The Ballad of Mott The Hoople documentary will be show at the Chicago International Music & Movies Festival (CIMM) in April 2011. It will be screened only once, on 16 April at Heaven, 1550 North Milwaukee at 4 PM. Tickets are $10 and available from Brown Paper Tickets.

‘The BFI London Film Festival crowd-pleaser makes its US debut, documenting the celebrated reunion after 35 years of the band most famous for “All the Young Dudes.” Of course there’s more to them than one hit: their story parallels the story of British glam rock, and Ian Hunter remembers every moment of those glory days, with the help of amazing archival footage and interviews with such luminaries as Queen’s Roger Taylor and The Clash’s Mick Jones.'

Borderlines Film Festival

The Ballad of Mott The Hoople documentary will be show at the Borderlines Film Festival in Hereford, England in March 2011. It will be screened twice, once on 25 March and again on 28 March at the Main House of the Courtyard Centre for the Arts.

‘The rock’n’roll circus is in town...’, but no other rock doc starts with pictures of High Town and Hereford United’s dressing room in the 60s! The story of the rise and fall of Hereford’s most famous rock band is enlivened by dazzling raconteur, Ian Hunter’s sharp insights into the ups and downs of rock stardom, and some great 70s footage of Mott in their pomp that shows what a fabulous live band they were. There’s also a young, starry-eyed David Bowie generously giving them All The Young Dudes to record so giving a new lease of life to a band on the point of collapse. All the interviewees here are open and fascinating, and directors, Chris Hall and Mike Kerry, present their story with the passion and affection of genuine fans.

Love Hope Strength

'Love Hope Strength is an international, music-centric cancer charity dedicated to saving lives, one concert at a time. The mission is to save lives, right now, with the advances that have already been made in cancer care. We do not fund cancer research, rather we use our funds to build and support cancer centers around the globe, build awareness of global cancer needs, and to build international marrow databases through the "GET ON THE LIST" campaign.'

Love Hope Strength

Joe Elliott's Down 'n' Outz

Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott and his side band, the Down 'n' Outz, will be supporting Paul Rodgers on his UK tour from 15-28 April 2011. Joe's band will also play a special warmup show at the Picturedrome in Holmfirth UK on April 13. The Down 'n' Outz, of course are known for playing a set full of unusual Mott, British Lions, and Ian Hunter songs. The band has filmed videos for 'England Rocks' and 'Overnight Angels', which can both be seen on YouTube.

  

January 2011 California Dates

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band have announced three dates in California at the end of January 2011. They are The Fillmore in San Francisco (28 Jan 2011); The El Ray in Los Angeles (29 Jan 2011); and The Galaxy in Santa Ana (30 Jan 2011). See the Tour Dates page for details.

December 2010 USA Acoustic Dates

The Towne Crier Cafe in Pawling NY and the Narrows Center in Fall River MA presents An Acoustic Evening with Ian Hunter & Friends on 10 Dec 2010 and also at a second show on 19 Dec 2010. Ian Hunter, Andy York, and Steve Holley will play as an acoustic trio at these shows. Tickets for the Towne Crier Cafe are $55 and are available right now at the Towne Crier website. The cafe offers a full menu before the show, and seating priority is given to those with dinner reservations. You can make a reservation at the time you purchase your tickets. The capacity of the cafe is just 150. See the Tour Dates page for details.

The Narrows Center in Fall River MA presents An Acoustic Evening with Ian Hunter & Friends on 11 Dec 2010. Ian Hunter, Andy York, and Steve Holley will play as an acoustic trio at this show. Tickets for the Narrows Center are also on sale now, and are available from the Narrows Center website. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food, drink and alcohol to all events in bags and coolers. The venue sells prepackaged snacks and non-alcholic beverages. See the Tour Dates page for details.

November 2010 USA Full-Band Dates

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band play three dates in the Northeastern USA in November 2010: The Highline Ballroom in New York City on the 11th, Havana in New Hope PA on the 12th, and At The Tabernacle in Mt. Tabor NJ on the 13th. See the Tour Dates page for details.

Mott The Hoople at The London Film Festival

The Ballad of Mott The Hoople, the long awaited documentary film from Start Productions, will premier at the London Film Festival in October 2010. It will be screened on three dates at the British Film Institute, Southbank, London: Sat 16 Oct 21:00 (NFT1), Mon 18 Oct 15:30 (NFT1), and Tue 19 Oct 19:00 (Studio). Festival tickets are available from the BFI: British Film Institute

2010 UK Tour

Ian Hunter has revealed details of his special show at London's historic Union Chapel on 10th October 2010.

Ian has personally invited a noted London string quartet - Oopsie Mamushka - to accompany him at the show after catching their show in London's Covent Garden. As Hunter watchers will know, in 2001 Ian played two celebrated concerts with a string orchestra in Oslo, recorded for posterity on the Strings Attached DVD. Hunter fans have always hoped that he would be able to bring that show to the UK, but, in keeping with his policy of not repeating himself, Ian decided to take a new twist on the idea by using the full Rant Band acoustically (also a first for the UK) alongside a four-piece string quartet. Ian has promised a different set from the electric shows which make up the main body of the tour, including titles rarely played live before.

As there are only a handful of tickets left for the London show and demand is bound to outstrip supply, Ian has decided to add the string quartet to two other shows: 8th Oct at The Stables, Wavendon (which is also nearly sold out), and a brand new show at the intimate OWG Centre in Dartford on the 7th Oct. Tickets for this new show are on sale now; see the Tour Dates page for details.

Scarborough Gig Added - 1 Oct 2010

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band wil be playing a warmup gig at the Ocean Room at the Scarborough Spa Complex in Scarborough UK on 1 October 2010. The cost is 20 pounds and I'm told this is a small gig and ticket availability is limited.'Scarborough Spa Complex is located in Scarborough’s picturesque South Bay and is one of the most prestigious venues for conferences, exhibitions, entertainment and events on the Yorkshire Coast. The Spa Complex is unique among British venues, not only because of its location; right on the sea front in the scenically beautiful South Bay, but also for the variety of facilities housed in what is largely a magnificent Victorian building.' See the Tour Dates page for details.

Stevie Buccini Benefit - 17 Sep 2010

Please join us at the Palace Theater, Danbury CT on Friday, 17 Sep 2010 at 8PM for a benefit to celebrate the life of Stevie Buccini. Stevie bravely battled cancer for two years until 7 July 2010, when he finally succumbed to the disease at the far-too-young age of 40. This special night features musical legend Ian Hunter, front-man for the iconic group Mott the Hoople with special guests The Doug Wahlberg band opening the night. Tickets are on sale now! See the Tour Dates page for details.

October 2010 UK Dates

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band have announced eight dates in the UK for October 2010: 02 Oct at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester England; 03 Oct at The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow Scotland; 05 Oct at Komedia, Brighton England; 08 Oct at The Stables, Wavendon England (SOLD OUT!); 10 Oct at Union Chapel, London England (Special Acoustic Evening); 11 Oct at The Journal Tyne Theatre, Newcastle England; 12 Oct at Town Hall, Birmingham England; and 14 Oct at 02 Academy, Bristol England. See the Tour Dates page for details.

Ian Hunter at the High Voltage Festival

Mott The Hoople legend Ian Hunter will be joining Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott for a one off set on the main stage at High Voltage on Sunday 25th July 2010. After his performance with Down ‘N’ Outz, Joe Elliott will welcome very special guest Ian Hunter for a standalone set. Featuring a raft of classic rock songs and some special guest appearances this is a must-see festival performance. High Voltage will be Ian Hunter’s UK festival exclusive in 2010. Details an be found at High Voltage Festival website.

Later with Jools Holland

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band appeared on the BBC's "Later ... with Jools Holland" TV show on Tuesday, 4 May 2010 and again on Friday, 7 May 2010. Other guests on the show were Iggy Pop and Courtney Love & Hole. The website for the Later show is www.bbc.co.uk/later/. Sorry, we do not have any details about broadcast times, channels, or availability outside the UK.

Ian Hunter in Florida and Georgia

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band have announced two more USA dates for 2010, this time supporting Jethro Tull. See the Tour Dates page for details.

  • 04 Jun 2010 - Mizner Park Amphitheater, Boca Raton FL
  • 06 Jun 2010 - Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta GA

Ian's gig supporting Jethro Tull at the Bayfront Amphitheatre in Miami FL has been changed to the Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton FL. The new show is the same date and time. All tickets for the original show will need to be refunded, and new tickets will need to be purchased for the rescheduled show. Click here for more information, or call 1-877-598-8698.

City Winery  High Voltage  Live CD  Have Guitars Will Travel

Exclusive MTH Live CD

This is your exclusive opportunity to order the live CD of the reunion gig of the year! October 1, 2009 saw the live return of one of the best loved Rock & Roll bands of all time: Mott The Hoople. It has been 40 years since this highly influential band formed in 1969, and over 35 years since the original line-up has played together. It is with great pleasure that we announce that we have recording the band at the Hammersmith Apollo on the 1st October to create an instant CD for fans to take home straight after the show.

This limited edition live CD is the ONLY recording of the Mott The Hoople reunion shows. Presented in bespoke artwork, this is an exclusive 3 CD set featuring songs from their classic albums. Concert Live recorded the band’s show on the 1st October, and sold this live CD directly at this show and at the following 4 dates the band played at the Hammersmith Apollo.

You can now order this live CD to be posted to you. Order now to avoid disappointment! Visit the Concert Live website for ordering information.

2009 Mott The Hoople Reunion

The original lineup of Mott The Hoople reunited for five gigs at the Hammersmith Apollo in the first week of October 2009. These gigs were preceded by two 'warmup' gigs at the Blake Theater in Monmouth, Wales during the last week of September. See the www.mottthehoople.com website for more information.

Man Overboard

Man Overboard was issued on 21 July 2009 by New West Records, and is Ian Hunter's 13th solo album since his eponymous debut in 1975. Recorded in late 2008 in Pawling NY, the 11-song set is a stunning follow up to the overwhelmingly critically acclaimed Shrunken Heads album. Man Overboard was produced by Andy York (veteran guitarist for John Mellencamp) and Ian Hunter and features a backing band of superstar talent comprised of Steve Holley on drums and percussion (Wings, Joe Cocker), Paul Page on bass (Dion), Jack Petruzzelli on electric guitar (Rufus Wainwright, Joan Osbourne), James Mastro on electric guitar (Patti Smith, John Cale), Andy Burton on piano and organ (The Db's) and Producer Andy York on guitar and backing vocals. Many of the band members are returning from the Shrunken Heads sessions. Regarding Man Overboard, Ian Hunter stated, 'When we did Shrunken Heads, I felt like we had a good thing going so I wanted to revisit the experience before anything changed, and that's what we did.'

For almost 40 years, Ian Hunter's given us some of the coolest songs in the rock vernacular. Who can deny lyrics like 'you didn't know that rock 'n' roll burned, so you bought a candle and you lived and you learned'? The former Mott the Hoople main man shows no sign of letting up with his latest outing, Man Overboard.

Hunter again proves that he is a master of the sly tongue firmly planted in cheek, cockneyed rock 'n' roll song. That slick, straight-faced rebel who taunts with just a wink of his eye, set to an infectious and achingly sweet soundtrack, is present throughout the record in lines like 'you gotta get away, especially when the other guy's bigger than you,' ('The Great Escape') and 'It's too late when you discover that flowers ain't enough' ('Flowers').

Not only are the lyrics three to five minute mini-movies, but the songs are melodic and catchy as hell. Hunter lets his pop tendencies run amok, with brilliant, and at times gorgeous, results. 'These Feelings' is one of the most glowing, straightforward love songs he's ever done, while 'Up and Running' borders on pure, brooding, jangle-pop, and would have killed on adult contemporary radio in the early '90s.

Man Overboard is Hunter at his best. He sounds like a man rejuvenated-with a familiar, yet fresh sense of musical risk-taking. The song has always been the key for Hunter, and this record says that it will continue to be so for some time.

- Mark Uricheck, Elmore Magazine

Have Guitars ... Will Travel

Derrick Thompson has just sent word that his new book, Have Guitars ... Will Travel will be published on June 8, 2009. 'HAVE GUITARS ... WILL TRAVEL takes the reader on a magical music tour through Northampton during the golden years of 1957-66 From 1957, began a never-to-be-forgotten ten years of skiffle, rock `n` roll, & R&B when local groups lit up the town’s pubs and dance halls; national groups visited for one-off shows, and international stars packed out the ABC cinema. The music scene of the late 50’s and early 60’s was vivid, vibrant and volatile. Relive those years with those who were there...' For those outside Northampton, the book will be available on EBAY UK from 8 June 2009.

Ian (Hunter) Patterson`s early life as footloose troubadour, chancing his arm as a talent-contest skiffler, bopping around Lynn`s cafe juke-box with his loyal friends and blazing a jagged trail across the cutting edge of Northampton`s beat revolution, is chronicled beautifully in this gem of a book which covers the whole spectrum of local combos.

Join Ian and his chums as they travel with their guitars, washboards and tea chest basses through the whole crazy scene. Journey with him from Butlin`s Pwllheli, via Jimmy`s End to The Old White Hart Inn where the landlady, Ma Wilkinson, would cry out, "Turn it down, George!" if the Apex turned up the volume too high. Soak up the great tales of his classic Apex years and his frenzied antics with other beat groups, before completely flipping over the edge as Hurricane Henry, then with Freddie 'Fingers' Lee and the Shriekers ... the manic liaisons of the crazy few!

'Have Guitars ...Will Travel' is an inspired literary pearl, celebrating the classic years throughout which Ian was at the very heart and soul of the scene, and which is now selling like hot cakes. It meanders sublimely through the skiffle and rock `n` roll eras and is crammed with snippets of essential data and excellent newly discovered photos of Ian never before published. Ian was right at the heart of the matter, habitually lighting the blue touch paper, and running.

Featuring a kindly word from Ian`s pen to wet your appetite in the foreword, along with the text of one of his greatest compositions centred upon Lynn`s, this archive is a 'must-have' acquisition for Ian Hunter fans ... an 'essential' for the avid completist.

Mott The Hoople Reunion  Man Overboard  When The World Was Round  Shrunken Heads

When The World Was Round

Jerkin' Crocus in the UK released the first single from Ian Hunter's critically acclaimed album Shrunken Heads on 26 Nov 2007. 'When The World Was Round' is available in three formats: a 7 inch picture disc, a CD single, and a DVD single. The picture disc includes 'When The World Was Round' (radio edit) b/w 'Words (Big Mouth)' (live 2007). The CD single contains 'When The World Was Round' (radio edit) b/w 'Once Bitten Twice Shy' and 'Twisted Steel' (live 2007). The DVD will include 'When The World Was Round' (animated video), BBC Paul Franks interview 2007 (audio), and a photo gallery of Ian Hunter and the Rant Band. The animated video is now available on YouTube! (Depending on your browser, you may need to click the 'play' button twice)

Shrunken Heads

Legendary Mott the Hoople frontman and renowned solo artist Ian Hunter released a new album in May 2007. Shrunken Heads is Mr. Hunter's first studio recording since 2001's highly acclaimed album Rant. Ian Hunter is represented by industry veterans Danny Goldberg and Jack Leitenberg for Gold Village Entertainment.

In the USA, Shrunken Heads was issued by Yep Roc Records on 15 May 2007. Located in North Carolina, Yep Roc is the home of such acclaimed artists as Paul Weller, Billy Bragg, Robyn Hitchcock, The Apples In Stereo, Sloan, Kristen Hersh and many more. The Yep Roc version of Shrunken Heads can be ordered through the Yep Roc Web Shop website. Orders made through the Yep Roc Web Shop include a free download of the album.

In Europe, Shrunken Heads was released by Jerkin' Crocus on 14 May 2007. Other artists on the Jerkin' Crocus label include blue-eyed soul legend Frankie Miller, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and Dan Baird's Homemade Sin. The Jerkin' Crocus version of Shrunken Heads is available from Jerkin' Crocus and can be ordered from Townsend Records. The initial pressing comes packaged in a special gatefold sleeve, and includes a bonus CD with three extra tracks, 'Your Eyes', 'Wasted' and 'Real or Imaginary'.

Other Recent News