Mott the Hoople

Scoring a big hit is a life-changing event for any artist, but for Mott the Hoople, their career-defining cover of David Bowie's 'All the Young Dudes' came at a particularly crucial moment.

The story goes that after David Bowie -- finally a breakout star thanks to 'Hunky Dory' -- found out that Mott the Hoople -- a struggling boogie-blues band -- were about ready to break up, he offered to produce their next record. He even gave them one of his new songs, 'Suffragette City,' which they didn't want...

Guitarist and singer Steve Hyams, who briefly worked with British rockers Mott the Hoople, has passed away at the age of 62 after battling heart problems for years.

Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott is a devoted Mott the Hoople fan and has long carried the torch for the British icons and their fearless frontman Ian Hunter. Elliott, who’s been referred to as the band's “cultural ambassador,” formed a tribute band with the Quireboys in early 2009 called the Down ‘n’ Outz to play a one-time gig opening for Mott the Hoople at one of their five reunion concerts in England

As the swashbuckling British guitar player for glam pioneers Mott The Hoople and later, rock and roll fantasy weavers Bad Company, Mick Ralphs has played a significant part in creating a number of A-side singles with both bands that have become airplay classics.

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.