A weekend celebration of Mott the Hoople, one of the most influential bands of the 70s, and offshoots Mott and British Lions takes place in October in Herefordshire, the county that spawned the original band.
Featuring live music, film screenings and spoken word events, MottFest ‘2025 will trace the band’s roots around original members Pete Overend Watts, Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin, Mick Ralphs and Verden Allen. The latter will take part along with musical director Morgan Fisher, who played keyboards in all three, Luther ‘Ariel Bender’ Grosvenor from Mott the Hoople’s second incarnation and British Lions front man John Fiddler.
Music journalist Kris Needs will recall running Mott’s fan club over 50 years ago and host panels also including members of Mott’s worldwide family.
Formed and playing their first gigs in Herefordshire, Mott the Hoople was created by legendary producer and Island Records A&R man Guy Stevens in 1969, who recruited singer-pianist Ian Hunter and helmed four albums before David Bowie rescued the floundering band with ‘All the Young Dudes’. Hits followed including ‘All the Way from Memphis’, ‘Roll Away the Stone’ and ‘The Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ along with global success before 1974’s split resulted in Mott then the British Lions.
Throughout the fame, superstar pals and highs including playing Broadway in New York City, Mott stayed true to their roots and extraordinarily loyal fans, some flying in from around the world for this last great event honouring the band.
MottFest 2025 takes place at the Corn Exchange, Ross-on-Wye, on Friday October 3 between 18.30 – 23.00 and Saturday the 4th (13.00 – 23.00) with a special memorial event planned for the Sunday.
All profits will go to St Michael’s Hospice, Bartestree, Hereford, and The Alzheimer’s Society: charities chosen, respectively, by the families of Overend Watts and Dale Griffin, Mott’s original Ross-on-Wye rock-steady rhythm section.
Tickets are available online here.