‘The Ballad Of Mott The Hoople’ Film Coming to USA on DVD

Mott The Hoople finally get their due on Nov. 15, when Start Productions releases ‘The Ballad Of Mott The Hoople' on DVD. The 101-minute documentary covers the rise, the fall and the resurrection of one of rock’s most passionate, longhaired, platform-booted rock bands.

Their sound was classic, with frontman Ian Hunter writing lyrics like Bob Dylan and the band having the punch and swagger of The Rolling Stones. Yet 40 years later, they’re best remembered for pre-punking the punks.

As a live unit, Mott The Hoople were always on fire, but that never quite translated into record sales, which resulted in a boatload of problems for the band and for Island Records. This documentary zooms in on how each member dealt with that and how everything changed when David Bowie stepped in, generously handing them the smash anthem ‘All The Young Dudes.’

Mott's various members and a multitude of others are interviewed for the film (including photographer Mick Rock, Clash guitarist Mick Jones, Queen drummer Roger Taylor, tour manager Lee Black Childers and fan club president Kris Needs) who give testimonials about the records, the tour and how Mott impacted their generation and those that have followed.

The ‘Ballad Of Mott’ DVD contains archival footage and over an hour of bonus material, including exclusive footage of the band's victorious 2009 reunion concert at the Hammersmith Apollo. Die-hard fans should note that the UK edition of this DVD will be released on Oct. 10.

This documentary is long overdue and prompted former Smiths frontman, Morrissey (once a member of the MTH fan club) to say this; “Savage history always passes judgment in due course, and here we are, in 2011, still studying Mott The Hoople.”

Watch the Trailer for 'The Ballad of Mott the Hoople'

BOMTH Original Promo from Start Productions on Vimeo.