Mott the Hoople returning to roots

Legendary seventies band Mott the Hoople, who hit the charts with their memorable glam rock anthem All The Young Dudes, are planning to return to their roots.

Organist and vocalist Verden Allen confirmed exclusively to the Express & Star at the Kidderminster Music Festival that, although negotiations for the band to get back together have been mooted several times in the past 15 years, things do "look more hopeful".

He said that he had joined Oswestry-born guitarist Ian Hunter for several gigs in Bilston, and at The Empire in Shepherds Bush in London, where they were also joined by another of the original line-up, Mick Ralphs.

There are two London bookings next year which are still to be confirmed. Verden, from Belbroughton, near Stourbridge, said: "It is 40 years since we formed and it seems like the right time.

"We want to do early Hoople stuff, up to and including the sort of material we played on the Hoople album. I will be using a Hammond organ again.

"I never got rid of the Hammond. So it's taking the sound right back to the early years. I think that's what people want. That was the sound."

He said Ian Hunter was working on a new album and he hoped to produce one too. "We all want to do the reunion. Whether or not it materialises remains to be seen. But at the moment it looks more than possible. We are holding on the bookings until we get together with the right management."

Asked how old he was, Verden, who still boasts a mop of long hair, said: "Forty-six, I think. Perhaps I've got that the wrong way round. I don't remember. Old enough."

Mott the Hoople took their name from a novel of the same name by Willard Manus about an eccentric who works in a circus freak show.

Their debut album, Mott the Hoople in 1969, was a cult success. All The Young Dudes, written for the band by David Bowie from the album of the same name, was released in July 1972 and was a hit around the world.