Interview: Ian Hunter on Mott reunion, Ringo Starr and a secret collaborator
Ian Hunter makes one of his rare West Coast jaunts this weekend with shows at San Francisco's legendary Fillmore (tonight), L.A.'s El Rey Theatre (Jan. 29) and Orange County's Galaxy Theatre (Jan. 30). Coming off 2009's now legendary Mott The Hoople five-night run of reunion shows and "Man Overboard," a critically acclaimed album, the septuagenarian rocker continues from strength to strength. Our friend Jon Jepson spoke to Hunter just prior to his leaving the frozen Northeast for San Francisco about the Mott the Hoople reunion, his current work and playing in Ringo's All-Starr Band and graciously allowed us to use this interview.
Jon Jepson: Are you keeping warm?
Ian Hunter: Oh yeah, today it's not too bad, it's been a bit warmer today than it has been - it's been pretty wild. We're getting a full one!
Jon Jepson: It's been ten years since you toured in Ringo's All Star Band. What was your experience like playing with people you'd never played with before?
Ian Hunter: I thought it was interesting because it was "different". You had all kinds of different people doing it. (Note: The 2001 edition of the All Starrs included Hunter, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, Howard Jones, Greg Lake of Emerson Lake & Palmer, Sheila E. and Mark Riviera). It was a chance to see how other people work because most of my life, I've just been working with my own band and playing my own songs. And working with a Beatle - that can't be bad! And he wasn't. He was really nice on the road. Ringo was great to be with and I had a great time.
Jon Jepson: Were The Beatles a personal influence on you back in the day?
Ian Hunter: No, I was influenced by the same people as they were -- Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and that. And even during the whole "Beatles VS. Stones" thing in the 60's, I was a Stones fan. But when a Beatle rings you up on the phone, you'd gotta have a look at it.
Jon Jepson: Your most recent album, "Man Overboard" has received much critical acclaim....
Ian Hunter: It kind of got buried a bit, because the Mott The Hoople gigs in London came up, so "Man Overboard" got obfuscated at the time.
Jon Jepson: I saw three of the Mott The Hoople reunion shows - the 14 year old in me was thrilled and impressed.
Ian Hunter: It was fun - it was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I figured it was going to be seen as a nice oldies band - "poor old sods", you know. I thought we came off as a very powerful band. As musicians, we get along great. But not as "people." It's very difficult. Pink Floyd get on better than Mott The Hoople!
Jon Jepson: Oh my God! (laughter)
Ian Hunter: Paul Loasby, who manages Mick Ralphs (of Mott The Hoople and Bad Company) and myself, manages Pink Floyd as well, said that!
Jon Jepson: Speaking of Mick Ralphs - how is he doing after his recent hip replacement surgery?
Ian Hunter: I talk to Mick about once a fortnight. He's a bit sore, but he's able to do a lot of things he hasn't been able to do in years.
Jon Jepson: He recently played in Sacramento last fall, and he looked okay...
Ian Hunter: After about ten minutes onstage, it really started to kick in. He'd really be hurting. But now, he's out driving, shopping. He quit drinking and smoking. He sounds on top form. It may be a new era for old "Ralpher". I got an email from him today wishing me luck on this "West Coast adventure."
Jon Jepson: There's word you may be collaborating with Mick again soon?
Ian Hunter: Mick and I get on fine. No problems with him at all. We'll play together any day of the week if we were geographically in the same neck of the woods. But we're not. But every time I'm in the UK, he'll get up and play with me, and have a great time. And he'll have an even greater time now, since he got his hips fixed.