Ian Hunter interview on Late Late Show

Ian Hunter interviewed on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson 2007-06-13

[@jumbod]

Ian Hunter is very underrated in the US. He is a legend.

[@WashedinHisblood]

Oh I agree!

[@tikhongilson3770]

So is Cleveland.

[@WillieDuitt1]

He wasn't underrated in Cleveland, we respect and appreciate him....Ian Hunter=Legend

[@tobinharris8107]

Ian is one of my all time heroes and you just can’t get any cooler. We love you Ian and Mott. Thanks for posting this.

[@fourtheye111]

Great songwriter and singer! Mott's music totally stands the test of time.

[@Boblobblaw88]

Ian Hunter you deserve so much more but still even now you have millions of adoring fans and you are recognized by all of us as one of the great rock songwriters/performers of our generation. Long live rock and long live IAN.

[@DiBiasehere]

Ralphs also

[@crazyiguana]

Ian Hunter: a great artist (sadly underrated) and an absolutely classy guy

[@2damnoldforUtube]

He still is 15 yrs after your comment. Who could have known....

[@ianhunterfan]

Ian Hunter is an incredible talent....been a fan for over 35 yrs.

[@2damnoldforUtube]

One of the things that makes him such a treasure is that he's not terribly well known. It's our little secret.

[@2damnoldforUtube]

I hope you're still around to read this. It's been fifteen years + the thirty five you've been a fan. That puts you close to 70. Wishing you well old timer!

[@careful__Icarus]

Never watched Craig until I heard that Ian Hunter was going to be on. Instantly became a devoted fan. Brilliant

[@2damnoldforUtube]

He paints such a wonderful picture using only words. That's a fucking gift right there.

[@johnmckinlay67]

Thanks for this. I was at the show he did in '74 or '75 when he played with Mick Ronson at the old Apollo. Saw him 15 months ago in Glasgow Fruitmarket too. 35 years down the line. The guys still got it !

[@RandallJonesey]

I love and respect Ian Hunter. To me he is an equal of Lennon's.

[@madeleinehague3247]

'Drove to Cleveland to see Mott's tour in April 2019. What a night! Ian now has tinnitus, and had to cancel further shows. Get well soon, Mr. 'unter. We love ya!

[@keyehaw]

I've not been a huge fan of Craig Ferguson's monologues, but his interviews are among the most affectionate, sweet, and respectful ever. This is a great example. God bless Craig Ferguson and Ian Hunter.

[@robertmichael7068]

There's a documentary about how he conducts his interviews. He's got it down to a science!

[@PAULLONDEN]

Hunter together with the "Sensational Alex Harvey Band".....great mid 70's rock.....

[@WillieDuitt1]

Alex Harvey Band was also appreciated in Cleveland before anywhere else in the USA.

[@PAULLONDEN]

@@WillieDuitt1 Sadly though , after the brilliant "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" the band imploded.

[@davidteller7681]

I was surprised buy Ian's speaking voice, not what I expected based upon his singing. Seems like a good dude

[@michaelclark7307]

Genius performer with an under the radar career.

[@jaggass]

He still has a strong Shropshire accent.

[@jimmyromano249]

Ian Hunter and Mott the Hoople is the band that The Sex Pistols followed on tour before they were The Sex Pistols. Their influence on punk and rock cannot be overstated.

[@robertmichael7068]

Crash Street Kids!

[@portcullis5622]

Mick Jones from The Clash is a big Mott the Hoople fan.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

They had a huge influence on Queen too. “The Hoople” was inspiration for “A Night at the Opera”.

[@ozbocfan]

This is a wonderful interview with a true survivor of rock. That may sound hackneyed but remember he was 30 or so when he started in Mott in '69, an age that Townshend and the like were dreading. But Ian has had the last laugh. The finest album of his career ("Shrunken Heads") has just been released and at 68 he is at a creative and musical peak. Astonishing. Great interview and fabulous anecdotes. Thanks.

[@davidbennett7374]

Ian is the best.

[@gordypahlisch8731]

Still 1 of the best ever!

[@chriscampbell9191]

I miss seeing Craig on late at night. He had a cool show. Good interview with Mr. Hunter here. Thanks for posting this.

[@juveniledelinquentwr]

Awesome interview, and spot on, it is a travesty that Ian Hunter, the man who wrote for others, and himself, so many hits is not included in the rock and roll hall of fame. This must be changed. He is admired and copied by so many that are in there, it just doesn't add up.

[@robertmichael7068]

Same with his sidekick Mick Ronson!

[@richardwoodring3362]

@Robert Michael l agree love Mott and Ian rocks

[@ChrisBerlingieri]

And Ian was much cooler and a better singer than Jim Morrison!

[@corruptoregon2984]

Love the man.

[@maxthepupp]

My man has another birthday coming up next month! STILL rockin! Ian Hunter has certainly saved my sorry ass and pulled me through quite a many time over the years. I love the man😎

[@revwahfair]

I miss his interviews.

[@brianhawkes2830]

ian hunter....happy birthday to you....loved you for years!!...born 3rd june 1939!

[@Topspeed325]

You betcha, Ian Hunter is a COOL dude!

[@iggyb63]

I miss Craig Ferguson so much and he dug Ian too.

[@candyaslice8563]

He looks great for 75!

[@sd31263]

He wasn't 75 then, he was 68. This is from 2007.

[@crapple009]

@sd1263 You're right, but he looked great at 68.

[@Axesmellsgr8]

@@sd31263 🤣🤣🤣

[@written12]

Thanks for the information. And, yes, Hunter is a role model for us who will, let's hope, be heading toward 70 one day. One thing that's Hunter's always had- that, frankly, Jagger doesn't have - is an ability to write lyrics that go beyond sex. Actually, Ray Davies has that abiility, too.

[@billwood6177]

It's good to see Ian being so at ease...kind of let's his true personality come out. Hallof Fame? Nah, he's too damn good and cool to be in the crappy Hall of Shame. Let us Mott/Ian fans keep our gem of a talent to ourselves.

[@John-ls2gp]

Almost 17 years ago, hard to believe as I clearly remember making it a point to watch this in '07.

[@OralAgreement69]

Good Man In a Bad Time... awesome!!!

[@BaheidTommy]

Jumbod: Ian Hunter is underrated in the UK too.

[@jljbird59]

Can't wait to see him soon in fabulous Ferndale, Michigan!

[@bartonim]

Great remarks. I always felt the man should have done more in the US too, and his influence is broad. Genius!

[@djacobmadrigal]

Bowie and Hunter. My two favorite solo artists of all time.❤😊

[@mottnianhunter]

At the Hall of Fame they have a recording of Mott The Hoople performing All The Young Dudes.

[@marctaurus8348]

Ian Hunter the blueprint for Rockstar

[@stevenhiggins906]

Genius singer and marvellous bloke

[@sianwarwick633]

Great interview, funny guy (s). Can see why he wrote Diary of a a Rock n Roll Star. Which i read cover to cover, and have totally forgotten.

[@MrGonzorhea]

saw him in a very close up club in TO in the 80's, and they were amazing.

[@candyaslice8563]

All the way to memphis, is such a great song. Anybody that can write that...all of mott are still alive! Thats cool!

[@DiBiasehere]

One of the Greatest of all time.

[@davicus100]

thank god ferguson was a host this guy would never be known here and hes awsome

[@Holiday-hi6vv]

Ian is the best!!!!!

[@AntoniusRome]

I had no idea Ian Hunter was so funny.

[@TheGreatAlan75]

I love the rockers who are great in more than one decade. It may not be a popular song, but the fright night soundtrack is superb and it has "good man in a bad time" by Ian ... A truly great 80's song... I think it was produced or co-written by Ronson too

[@ohisashiburi]

..and purely brilliant..!

[@DiBiasehere]

Great interview

[@Irockthere4]

That was great

[@crapple009]

He sure does have a case of the 'sniffles'.

[@Joel_Powell]

What a cool guy.

[@written12]

I agree with you about Hunter's music. Are you sure, though, that he's 68? Anyway, though you wrote this two years ago, I haven't heard of Shrunken Heads until just now(I have lost track of Hunter as you can tell). Thanks for the lead- I will check out the album.

[@CivilianDeathMachine]

Ian Hunter may have come under the "Glam Band" status.... ...but this guy is loved by Everybody! Rockers! Punks! MetalHeads! He has written some of the best rock songs, and still continues to write them today!

[@bartonim]

What a geezer! Ian, bless you--and I ain't even religious! And Craig is great, too!

[@SkeebWilcox]

I haven't had many "heroes" in my life, but Ian Hunter is definitely one of them. Toss him in there with Nelson Briles, Roy Wood, and R.W. Schambach. Yeah, I know. I'm "eclectic"...

[@ashleyburns6752]

"Do you think Rock has improved?" WTF

[@written12]

Wow, Nelson Briles! Man, I haven't heard that name in years. And I never would have thought I'd meet up with it in the context of a discussion about Ian Hunter. I'm thinking of the right guy, aren't I? Pirates, Cards, I believe. Wore glasses? Yeah, you're admirably eclectic. One question- what was it about Briles that made him your hero?

[@theitineranthistorian2024]

British folk at their very best.

[@mr.magister5531]

Good to see this for obvious reasons

[@kinmikey]

Manilow covered "Ships" and had a big hit.

[@in2itivelady]

Hahaha, upwards of 25 people! Oh Craig!

[@avlisk]

@angrysamoan666 any mention of Spooky Tooth gets a big thumbs up from me. Better by you better than me, eh!

[@WhiteBoy41]

The mistake on the lake is like Poland. Thats rocking roll cool. Ian,,,,,,,

[@mary35comedy]

when was this show aired?? pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me it was last tuesday!! i missed last tuesday's show ALL OF IT! anybody, somebody post it PLEASE! =[

[@DSilvergun]

Craig looks like Sean Hannity.

[@pretorious700]

@iorioriorio Maybe from Cleveland

[@johnscialfa7391]

true pamela

[@GreenyMcFleetwood]

what isnt he taking part?

[@iorioriorio]

doesn't look a day over 28

[@rampageclover9788]

He looks like a blonde Howard Stern

[@Boblobblaw88]

you look like a red-headed Phyllis Diller

[@TheGreatAlan75]

LMFAO!!!!!

[@Mr121953]

I've read some of the comments and when people state that 'someone is underrated' , generally this means they have only recently discovered them ...Ian Hunter has been a star for 45 years on both sides of the pond . I grew up with Mott as my soundtrack , seeing the band live for the first time in 1970 at Croydon Fairfield Halls UK. They were a cult bnd with a massive following but were unable top put some of that magic onto vinyl . 'Mad Shadows' 1970 was the first breakthrough on Island Records and this gave the band a much higher profile especially with the track 'Thundrbuck Ram' on one of Islands compilation albums that sold well . Bowie being a great fan of the band heard in around 1971 that they were deciding on calling it a day and couldn't believe what was going to happen . He had faith in the band and said all it would take was just one big hit . Ziggy Stardust was nearly complete with quite a few songs being left off the album 'Ziggy Stardust'. He suggested that the band try out this slow piece that he hadn't nearly completed called 'All The Dudes' ( The Young' hadn't been added at that point-) His reason for leaving it off 'Ziggy' was that it just didn't sound right and didn't fit in the context of the 'piece' ( Ziggy) plus the fact back then you were restricted to around 43 -45 mins for both sides of the 12 inch vinyl disc ( all to do with compression, look it up )... Bowie recorded a demo and he and Ian sat down and re-recorded it together ...Deal done, it worked and next step was a guide track which you can hear Bowie/ Hunter sing 'All The Young Dudes on the CD reisue of Mott's 72 album of the same name . Rumour has it that 'THE YOUNG' bit was Hunter...The vocals were re-recorded by Hunter using the same backing track , with Bowies vocal left as only a backing vocal ... Several versions have been released by David Bowie with early deom's , live versions etc and It became THE great rock and roll anthem of all time and still is . ( as a footnote Bowie insited on a joint writing credit for he and Ian Hunter) ... No money up front he just gave one of his favourite bands a song for nothing and it has become a true classic . Without Bowie's faith in his friend and the band, the music world would be a very different animal ...Check out 'Ian Hunter's ode to his friend on the album 'Fingers Crossed' 2016 - Track- 'Dandy' ...He;s a true legend and to refer to Ian Hunter as underrated is very naive and whoefully inacurate ...

[@NR-110]

The stoopid Hall of Fame ain't worthy of the man

[@SkeebWilcox]

Cards, Pirates, Royals, Rangers, Orioles. Was on SNL in the Chico Esquella "spring training comeback" piece in 1980 when he was trying to hang on with the Mets. Had a great 1967 for the Cards when Gibson's leg got broken. Great Game 5 of '71 Series (2 hitter). I always admired him because he fell on his face half the time when he threw, he made records, he acted, and he did the sports on KDKA . He did not wear glasses though. Dave Ricketts or Dick Hughes, maybe? Thanks for reading, though!

[@Boblobblaw88]

"glam rock" is a journalistic invention. stage fashions change and nerdy journalists invent names to describe it. Mott was a goddamn great rock and roll band period. they couldve dressed like pirates or plumbers and who cares?--it was fucking great songs performed by a great band!

[@TheGreatAlan75]

"Pirates or plumbers.." Great comment !!! 😊

[@FutureKubrick]

@iorioriorio well he doesn't look 70 anyway

[@jonbecker03]

STAYED off drugs and booze? i doubt it. he just happened to QUIT them, probably around the late seventies. and apparently he hasn't gone back to them.............

[@realityrealestate5755]

Barry Manilow's version is lousy compared to Ian Hunter's original version.

[@Groovy26407]

mott the HOople?Great:D

[@Lola-AreaCode212]

He was 100x hotter than Jim Morrisson to me.

[@avenarius7252]

I have to say what lame inane interview by Ferguson. You have real bonifide rock star such as Ian Hunter, and you get " do you still do All the Young Dudes.... do you think rock has improved'; Jim Morrison has gone unavailable'. What a wasted opportunity all in the name of getting the smart ass laugh track. Try again laddie he's now pushing 76; stiil got a chance for a real interview .

[@kzinful]

+ Avenarius Ian was relaxed here, I thought it went well.Craig cutting up was his way of making them feel like talking, I don't know the man(obviously) but watching this I sense that he's really like that and if he was comfortable, man oh man what stories would flow out...Lol

[@Boblobblaw88]

Fuck TV talk show hosts. Rock needs it's own shows. If these exist please send me a link. TV sucks and it needs to be thrown in the same heap with our lying newspapers.

[@syddavies2530]

I've never been a fan of Ferguson, but he's been a fan of Ian for many years. He only had 5 minutes to do this interview. They seemed to have a nice camaraderie. I wouldn't be too upset. Any exposure of Ian on American TV is a good thing.

[@parkviewmo]

My impression was that Ferguson was really a bit awed by Ian Hunter. Hunter was clearly one of musicians he loved as a young man, and he seemed very respectful.