All the old dudes! Scots star Ian, 83, brings out a new album – helped by rock’s dinosaurs
WAY back in 1972 he scored a massive worldwide hit with the single All The Young Dudes.
But more than 50 years later Scots singer Ian Hunter – the former frontman with glam rock band Mott The Hoople, who recorded the anthem at the behest of its writer, a young David Bowie – is hanging out with a rather older crowd.
For not only is he about to release a new album at the age of 83, he has also assembled an incredible line-up of A-list backing musicians which reads like a who’s who of 20th Century pop and rock superstars.
Ringo Starr joins him on drums while guitars are handled by Slash from Guns N’ Roses, Billy F Gibbons of ZZ Top and the late Jeff Beck, who died in January. Other big names include Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and the late Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters, while guitar-playing Hollywood actor Johnny Depp also got on board.
In a clear nod to the musicians’ advancing years, the album is titled DEFIANCE. And Hunter, who was raised in Hamilton, reckons it sends a message to those who believe he is too old for rock ’n’ roll.
He said: ‘It’s a big f*** you to people who talk about your age and the rest of it.
‘It’s like, people my age shouldn’t be making records, blah, blah, blah. But we’ve still got a bit left. I was 29 when I joined Mott but I was supposed to be 18. They thought I was too old then and here I am 50-odd years later.’
The idea for the album started during lockdown when he got together with John Mellencamp guitarist Andy York to make some demos. He said: ‘It was a fluke. This was not planned. It’s amazing what’s happened. It’s been such a buzz.
‘Everybody’s sitting around. It’s Covid. Nobody’s going anywhere.
‘The next thing Billy F Gibbons and Slash wanted to do something. Robert Trujillo from Metallica. Ringo Starr. Johnny Depp said, “Jeff Beck’s with me and we’d like to do a couple of songs”. Billy Bob Thornton and JD Andrew from The Boxmasters. It’s never-ending. Every day we’d get a call. It was like, I can’t believe this.’