The Ballad of Mott the Hoople
BBC4 Friday 8th March 10pm - 11pm
Repeat: BBC4 Tomorrow 2:55am
Repeat: BBC4 Mon 11 Mar 12:40am They might have looked like “hod carriers in drag,” as their producer Guy Stevens’s widow recalls, but Mott the Hoople had the power to inflame an audience to the point of riot with their down-and-dirty beats. This biopic details their five-year journey from hard-grafting naïfs, getting their first big hit (thanks to David Bowie giving them All the Young Dudes), to a final implosion in 1974.
With more entrances and exits than a Spinal Tap drummer, the band’s life was a stormy one, but surviving members have the chance to give their version of events. Singer Ian Hunter and guitarist Luther Grosvenor (who then went by the name of Ariel Bender) are the only two who still look like they’ve been rock ’n’ roll stars but, as we discover, some egos are bigger than others… Preceded by an hour of unusual archive recordings from 1970s British bands.
ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME
Documentary telling the story of Hereford rock band Mott the Hoople, whose best-known hit, All the Young Dudes, was written for them by David Bowie. The film features rare and previously unseen footage, with contributions by former band members Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs and Verden Allen, as well as Queen's Roger Taylor and ex-Clash guitarist Mick Jones.
CastContributor Ian Hunter
Contributor Mick Ralphs
Contributor Berden Allen
Contributor Dale Griffin
Contributor Ariel Bender
Contributor Roger Taylor
Contributor Mick Jones
Director Chris Hall
Director Mike Kerry
Producer Chris Hall
www.radiotimes.com/All the Young Dudes is one of my all times favorite songs...
