Mott The Hoople: The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll / Lounge Lizard, Milwaukee, WI 2019-04-01

Mott The Hoople
Mott The Hoople ‘74 US Tour
Miller High Life Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
April 1, 2019
The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll / Lounge Lizard
First night of the first US tour in 45 years. This is the first 2 songs played after the 45 years (except for "American Pie" which was sung before The Golden Age).

[@TheAZBF]

And after repeated listenings....they are exactly what Ariel Bender brought to the band....more lunacy....love it...

[@MrDeterioration]

And far less musicianship.

[@andrewgardner7871]

Off to see them at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow on 20th April - so looking forward to it.. enough of the knocking of Ariel Bender the man is still a rock star and the perfect foil for Ian Hunter. His energy propels these performances onto another level.. Long live Rock N Roll...

[@markbauer1149]

Bender was brutal this night. He got so much better as each show progressed. He was brilliant in Philly.

[@km52141]

To the keypad critics who suggest Ariel Bender "can't play guitar", I suggest you listen to his back catalog with Spooky Tooth, The Hoople, Mott The Hoople Live, his solo album Under Open Skies, Widowmaker & Too Late To Cry. As far as him moving around on stage, would you rather see someone put you to sleep by standing perfectly still & looking bored? I hope you are as agile as him when you are 72 years old. Haters are gonna hate, I guess.

[@mikeollier5716]

That "solo" was absolutely appalling.

[@imperialjg7142]

@@mikeollier5716 *yawn*

[@rancid216]

It's not a matter of hating. He obviously doesn't have the chops that he once had. Compare this kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKepoYtvbaqChtE As far as the stage presence I thought it was bit over the top. As you see in the All The Way From Memphis video he didn't even act like that when he was younger.

[@rancid216]

@rockon18 Mick Ronson was a way better guitar player than Grosvenor or Ralphs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWjZpIKFgNuBi6M

[@stevejeal6548]

Mick Ronson Mike Ralphs both were quality always Areil Bender simply is awful embarrassing out of tune in the wrong key and if anyone thinks he can play you need your hearing tested.

[@johnpatti4391]

Ian holds it together. This is a stroll down memory lane. They're all getting on and it's hard, I know. I've seen ian many times and will see Mott in NY, I hope their energy picks up, but I'm very fond of them all the same.

[@michaelmitchell8291]

I saw them live in the 70's. Kiss was the headliner. I sure do miss those times.

[@suzysoleil7304]

Was in Milwaukee in 1974 and 2019. Ian, Ariel and Morgan thanks for the entertainment!!!!

[@ToshiAizawa]

Suzy Soleil how cool it is to meet the same boys at the same venue after 45 years!

[@michaelwood3099]

Simply as perfect as it gets in a most fantastic unperfect way.

[@BackToTheBlues]

Guitar solo just as mad and good as the original!

[@timmymcmenamee2692]

Ariel is an entertainer, with a rock history. nuff said/

[@geo386]

I remember Mott from my youth. Hope to see them on tour. Great memories of the seventies.

[@erikwainio2115]

This is the first show of the tour. I saw them in Detroit and they had got their act together. Bender was great. Ian sounded great. Ian admitted in an interview they didn't practice for this tour preferring to capture the live raw excitement.

[@MrJimbroski23]

Thanks for posting. Great show last night.

[@joefaraci8575]

Can't wait to see them next Monday in Glenside. Hunter is a genius, Bender a perfect sidekick if you will. Rant band always great! Never thought I would hear them do Lounge Lizzard - waiting for that one for sure!

[@papajohn240]

Lounge lizard a cool surprise, untill a few years ago everyone one thought it was just done by Ian and ronson. Ian said he had it for the album that was to follow the Hoopla record. But we all know he split. mott recorded a version of it before he did. His version with ronson is the best!..

[@brianmccain6302]

Mott recorded lounge Lizard before Scandinavian tour in 74(their last) and was put out on Ballad of Mott compilation

[@davidboyes9201]

A long time since I've been this excited

[@markvoger5029]

Thank you, Toshi, for getting this up so quickly! Noticed you did a pan over to Morgan for his quickie Jerry Lee Lewis riff in "Golden Age." Ariel is awesome, moving at 72 like he's 42, and pulling out those tasty country-raunch riffs on "Lizard." I can't wait to see these guys in Glenside, Pa., on the 8th. As Ian sings, "The golden age of rock 'n' roll will never die ..."

[@ToshiAizawa]

I am on the 100% same page as you! Have a wonderful time in just one week.

[@1234saul]

Ian's voice got better during the show. He was popping cough drops because he must have been fighting a cold. By the end, his voice was great. Bender is fine on rhythm and hooks, but shouldn't be doing leads. The two other guitar players would have been more than capable handling leads. However, Ian puts friendship over perfection, which is ok by me. There is no one who is almost 80 that can perform better. Ian defies the laws of nature. It was pure joy seeing him perform.

[@davidbeisel204]

I loved this immensely! Thanks for posting Toshi! I was surprised to see it so soon. I'm going to see them tomorrow night in Chicago, driving up from St. Louis with a friend. Was thinking of driving to Minneapolis to see them too, but you know...

[@ToshiAizawa]

David Beisel I sure know. If I didn’t have prior plans, I would have gone to Milwaukee-Minneapolis-Chicago!

[@davidsample3258]

As per the previous comment if you want to hear rock n roll guitar playing at its best just listen to MTH live and in particular Walking With a Mountain, Benders guitar playing is brilliant. I had the good fortune to bump into him while shopping in Worcester not long after the tour, and he was a lovely bloke who was happy to chat about his life and ask about my interests as well.

[@alanrockman2469]

Bender is indeed a very cool guy. Interviewed him twice when he was the leader of Widowmaker.

[@user-vb8rf2hn5v]

aaaaahhhh .... this guys are AMAZING .... they know how to make a great rock'n'roll party !!!! aaaah, can't wait till the concert at Glasgow 20 April !!!!!!!!!!

[@metalbearuk]

I wish they'd toured with this line up when Overend was still with us.

[@jimandlizhudson2501]

Terrific. Wot Rock is about.

[@YBSRicky-ez4gp]

Magical!

[@brianmartinelli4992]

Ian wrote 2 ships in the night , Barry's hit.....should be in the hall of fame

[@davidsleger6476]

...if you put any stock in that sort of thing (which I don't) . The R&R HoF is a joke and finds ways to discredit themselves at every turn. Has Hunter don'e enough for more widespread recognition? Absolutely! On a personal level he's been a favorite of mine for well over 40 years. However, writing a song that later became a hit for an MOR, cheesy POP singer should not be what it takes to get into an institution originally geared to recognize ROCK achievements.

[@craigpalmer8258]

Oh plz its rock n roll...his guitar playing fits the music.the Melody on Mott live 74 is sloppy fantastic...he was asked to join quickly after Ralphs departure...after having his own career...he.s 72.and having fun.wait till he gets to nyc next week...

[@DavidNewlandz]

I love this man a genius in a rock n world of predictable shit.. Thank you muchly Ian Hunter

[@MrGoodtogo55]

saw them live then and now

[@francinenazaruddin]

I❤️Ian forever!

[@rocksteady9115]

Bender did well uk tour, tremendous show

[@michaelmitchell8291]

Mott rocks

[@thomascase7035]

Seeing them in Boston

[@timhewtson6212]

I used to hate Ariel's guitar work back in the 70s - so over the top compared with the two MRs. Now I love it, it's so over the top. He does Mott and Primark proud. There's age and wisdom for you. Excellent band

[@erinmarnell6531]

Arial bender in there with the face melter

[@rosalindamendiola1884]

Omg ( long live Rock %roollll

[@normansmith4736]

bender rocks the bestfrom the real widowmaker to his solo albums respect

[@DREAMTIMENYC]

someone, please tell me where I can get the jacket Ian is wearing?

[@mschool]

Setlist from this show: www.setlist.fm/setlist/mott-the-hoople/2019/miller-high-life-theatre-milwaukee-wi-6b93fade.html

[@janc819]

❤️❤️❤️❤️😘❤️

[@stevenlornie1261]

For all those complaining, just remember that Ralphs didn't play his own parts on the last tour. A bloke behind the amps was doing the lead guitar.

[@aimlessbutblameless2290]

Steven Lornie Yeh, I hadn't forgotten that. Was that mystery man ever named?

[@mkwrockers0099]

Steven Lornie Ariel doesn’t even belong in the same conversation as Mick Ralphs. Mick is a FAR better guitarist and it isn’t even close.

[@ToshiAizawa]

To me music isn’t about better or worse. You could compare them and say which is better, but both Ralphs and Bender have their own charms.

[@MrSmadSmartAlex]

Ralphs played everything on the first night in Birmingham, but he had a brain fart during the lead part for All The Young Dudes. I guess he was overwhelmed by shame and fear after that, because he had his guitar tech play that part for the remaining four nights (apparently, the rest of the band were unaware of this at first). Only that part though. It's a bit misleading to say he didn't play his parts, because it makes it sound like he mimed the whole show or something. That said, he did sometimes seem like he was phoning it in at those reunion shows (in 2009 as well). He wasn't a shambles like Ariel seems to be these days, but you could tell he'd been a bit lazy during rehearsals.

[@MrSmadSmartAlex]

@@aimlessbutblameless2290 It was Jef Streatfield, who played in the Wildhearts in the late 90s.

[@paulponting1051]

Hereford’s best

[@davidpeterson2929]

It was a good show. Ian Hunter's voice sounds quite a bit like it does on the records and Bender kept things interesting...to say the least. Hope everyone that goes to the show on the rest of the tour enjoys it. It was fun night.

[@aimlessbutblameless2290]

So...the Rant Band with a guest crap guitarist and Morgan Fisher. No Angeline, no Sucker, both of which were essential pillars of the original - rather fine - album. In fairness to Bender have a listen to a track called "When I Met You" from his first solo album, Under Open Skies. That IS a nice piece of guitar playing. Nearly fifty years old though.

[@high0nthehill]

I have a setlist- it listed "Lounge Lizard or Sucker" as the 2nd song

[@joefaraci8575]

@@high0nthehill We got Sucker, Jerkin Crocus and Lounge Lizard last night at the Keswick. Pearl 'n Roy too! Great show!

[@rocksteady9115]

Uk tour got lounge lizard and sucker, tremendous show

[@featherriverfury6496]

How many guitars? Ian on acoustic, Luther on lead and 2 or 3 other guys? wtf

[@BornLate56]

Mark Bosch & James Mastro on guitars

[@davehancox5665]

Well, you're half right - Bender can't play guitar. Never could and that's why Ronno replaced him. I don't agree with assessment of Ian's voice. Remember this is just an iphone recording. Everything else I read said Ian sounded great.

[@thomasmuhlenbruch7139]

dave hancox you’re right about the sound.. I thought the sound mix was one of the best live shows in this size venue that I’ve seen. Ian and the band sounded much better live than this recording alludes to. Although, nothing could help Aerial’s sound except for his clowning and antics. And.. Ian has his own sound which can become a little monotonous so they mixed it up quite well. I was surprised at the energy of this show and you could tell there was really good musicianship involved.

[@cyberopbug]

LOVE THIS !!! How many of you actually know how 'Ariel" Bender got his name?? I do..............................

[@ToshiAizawa]

cyberopbug Morgan was talking about that one time, but I do not recall... can you share with us?

[@cyberopbug]

After Mott finished a gig in Munich (mid 70's), the band went out drinking after the show. While walking from Bier garden to Bier garden, by all accounts, "Ariel" was pretty drunk, and proceeded to bend as many radio antenna on the cars parked in the street as possible, thus was born "Ariel Bender"...................................true story!

[@ToshiAizawa]

Thank you for sharing the great story!

[@km52141]

It was Mick Ralphs who bent the car antennas. Mick was walking down the street with Ian & Lynsey De Paul after a frustrating German TV appearance. Check Ian's interview in the documentary The Ballad Of Mott The Hoople.

[@cyberopbug]

I stand corrected, thank you !

[@alanrockman2469]

Bender's solos on "Lounge Lizard" are much better than Ronno's (RIP) ever were.

[@brianmccain6302]

That's who Ariel is ,warts and all

[@MrTangerineDream]

Lounge Lizard was a Hunter track.

[@km52141]

Mott actually recorded it as a demo with Ronson around the same time as “Saturday Gigs”, after The Hoople album.

[@MrTangerineDream]

@@km52141 Did it ever see the light of day hey hey* See what I did there? ;)

[@MrTangerineDream]

@@mikeollier5716 I never knew that, thanks for the info. I always remembered it as a track off Hunters first solo album.

[@edwardmarks4293]

The MTH/Ronson version is on The Ballad of Mott the Hoople: Retrospective CD set from a few years back.

[@MrTangerineDream]

@@edwardmarks4293 Just noticed that I have it on the " All The Young Dudes " Anthology. Disc 3 Track 12. I could not remember it being on there.

[@danavakian]

I'll admit the solo in Golden Age was a little weird, so what? It was always a short solo so what the hell, looks like they're having fun, they sound great, they look great. Let it roll baby!!!

[@papajohn240]

The ones critzeizing are just plain ignorant. Luther gave Mott a shot in the arm when Ralps left. He learned the mott catalog within 2 weeks for the most part. And brought a sense of fun back into touring which can be gruelling and exhausting. No band from the 70s 80s are as loud as they used to be. He hits it well with lounge lizard. Rock on Luther. Rock on Ian, in this life and the next..

[@rocksteady9115]

Ralphers and Ronno = quality, Bender not so

[@brianmccain6302]

It's hard to appreciate Ariel bender after listening and seeing Ralphs,Ronson ,Andy York, Robbie Alter with Ian.I don't hate his playing but to me he's only effective belting out raunchy to riffs.As far as criticism of his " over the top" stage an to antics,are the same individuals criticizing Mick Jagger for doing the same act for the last 50 years?That's veho Ariel is ,faults and all.

[@michaelhaskey6044]

Turn up Ariel Benders Guitar. Ariel makes this special Just the best

[@TheAZBF]

Lotta haters here....jeez....my wife thought Bender was just a hoot and loved him....this band was never about playing the "perfect" song or solo...you think they were ever sloppy back in the day? Maybe some first night jitters but WTF....we got to see MTH....was tighter the next night in Minnehaha....Cheers!

[@MrDeterioration]

I'm curious about something. When did being critical equate with being hateful? You sound like an incurious person.

[@TheAZBF]

@@MrDeterioration Did not go to critique....went for a good time and certainly had it...both nights.....my interest in this band is anything but incurious....being critical is bad for the soul....Cheers!

[@neilcole9698]

@@TheAZBF The point is there's a huge difference between criticising (expressing an opinion you disagree with or saying something's not that great) and hating, which is despising someone so much you want them dead or injured. or some misfortune to affect them. Words have meaning, that's how we communicate effectively. Criticism, whether or not you like it, is not hating. Nor is it bad for the soul - done constructively, it's a way of driving improvements and replacing something mediocre (not a comment aimed at this video, just in general) with something much better.

[@omeletpants]

I remember when these clowns made fun of the Rolling Stones in their song All the Young Dudes. Wonder who is laughing now?

[@rbloomcfp]

David Bowie wrote the song....

[@omeletpants]

Lead guitarist blows

[@bossmarcel100]

Don‘t like that much too much extroverted guitar player👎👎 Mick Ronson is missing 🎸❤️

[@rosemarymills1671]

i agree. I loved the two together. That accent I could listen to all day...and all night :-)

[@erache6667]

Bender's performance is total crap here.... Just Sayin'!!

[@dancapnron1]

Bender's a terrible lead player