Post by wingsj0 on Jan 17, 2006 19:52:21 GMT
Ian Hunter's UK Rant Band Live at The Mill Preston 24th May 2004 - By Jo Rishton.
On Monday 24th May, one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest rock stars was to perform a concert in my own town Preston Lancashire. The venue was called The Mill and the rock star was the one and only Ian Hunter. Another reason I was looking forward to the gig so much is my friend Steve Holley play’s drums for Ian Hunter and I was really looking forward to seeing him again. By the time we’d arrived at The Mill, a few fans had gathered by the stage door hoping to see Ian Hunter and his band arrive and get the chance to say hello. By this time word had reached us the band were over an hr late because of traffic problems. Eventually, a blacked out bus pulled up outside the Mill and as the band got off they happily signed autographs, and posed for photos for waiting fans. I can’t tell you how pleased I was to see them all again (esp. Steve) who’d invited us to their sound check. The band ran through a couple of numbers before the actual performance to make sure everything sounded fine. During the sound check I was delighted to meet a couple of my friend’s from the Hunter-Mott list Phil Holbrook and Trevor. Phil and I had a chat and enjoyed listening to hit’s such as Once Bitten Twice Shy, Dead Man Walking (one of my favourites from Ian’s fabulous Rant album). Later on in the evening I met another friend from Ian’s Yahoo group Mick McKenzie, it was nice to meet you all.
Whilst being engrossed with what was going on during the sound check, I couldn’t help noticing Sue (other wise known as ‘Mum’ (not only does Sue run Ian Hunter’s merchandise on tour she’s also the bands driver while on tour) un-loading the merchandise stall and a few goodies caught my eye! I was pleased to read on the Hunter-Mott site that the band had introduced an Official Tour programme, whilst browsing through the stall I decided to make my purchase at the end of the gig to save having to hold all my goodies during the gig. (Throughout the evening my programme strangely vanished ED).
After sound check, Steve came to chat to us for a while and a familiar figure came to say hello. It was Ian, he came to thank me for the review I’d written on Strings Attached as featured in issue 7 I was made up he liked it, that meant allot. Ian told me Strings Attached was his favourite a well and complimented me on the fanzine by saying “there’s some good stuff in there you’re dedicated, and I like that”. Coming from a fellow rock journalist, and International rock star, that's indeed a compliment.
Before show time Steve went to get changed with the rest of the band, and Phil, Trevor, and I quickly made our way to the front of the stage to make sure we were in a good spot for taking photos! Luckily for us there was a place over the barrier to leave my bags, coats, etc so this meant I was hands free during the gig so I could take some photos.
The Mill was packed there must have been three hundred fans crammed in there it’s only a small venue, but there was a sea of hunter fans from the front of the stage to the other end of the Mill.
8.30pm the lights in The Mill went down and on walked The Ian Hunter Rant Band to a warm applause and cheers! Ian Hunter picked up his guitar and away they went into the first number, Rest In Peace!!! Whist typing this review I’m sat here wondering if the foundations of The Mill are still standing! The band were awesome from start to finish, the sound was electrifying, and Ian Hunter’s voice sounded incredible. The whole audience where singing along to all the Mott The Hoople, Hunter hits, as well as shouting for their favourites and what a showman Ian Hunter is. He has the audience eating out of his hands, and keeps us captivated through the evening wondering what he’s going to do or say next.
One of the many reason’s I love Ian Hunter’s Rant band so much is because they’re really enthusiastic throughout their whole performance. The way Ian connects with his audience, the way he and the band communicate with their fans on and off stage (that means a lot to any fan! ED). During the gig itself Ian Hunter and his Rant Band love every minute. It’s a fantastic feeling being at the front of one of their gigs. Ian is one of these performers that puts so much passion into his singing there are times especially during certain numbers such as “Twisted Steel,” (written about the 9/11 tragedy) you end up having tears in your eyes because the words have clearly come from the heart. I’m sad to tell you Ian and his wife lost a relative during that horrific attack. The song that stole the evening for me was the beautiful Irene Wilde. This is another heartfelt song full of emotion, and this year we were treated to a beautiful acoustic arrangement. Andy York’s performance throughout this song left the audience spell bound!! On the Hunter-Mott list York has been hailed by fans as the *next Mick Ronson* on asking him what he thought of the fans reaction to his performances on tour he told me “I do my best.”
During the evening the band performed hit after hit, songs such as the brilliant Rock and Roll Queen, (the harmonies during that were class!!) the astounding performance of Roll Away The Stone. Throughout the evening the hits continued to flow as the band performed another Mott The Hoople classic All The Way From Memphis, and the show stopping, All The Yong Dudes!! From his latest album Rant we were treated to a beautiful song Ian wrote for his wife “Knees of My Heart*, were Ian told us “I’ve been married to the same women for 32 years”. Another track I enjoyed from Rant was American Spy, the ballad Deadman Walking (which always takes me back to his sound check in Burnley on the last tour). However, I’m sure most Hunter fans who attended the gigs will agree with me when I say the show stopper of the night was the bands incredible performance of *The Truth The Whole truth And Nothin But The Truth*. The cheers from the audience said it all after the band finished, the power behind that song is amazing and it needs one talented drummer to bring full force to the song and thank heavens Ian Hunter has the best in the business, Steve Holley. (Though you experienced a technical problem with the drums throughout the evening you were still brilliant Steve!)
As always the biggest thrill of the night is seeing and hearing Ian and his former Mott The Hoople band mate and life long friend Mick Ralphs performing on stage together! Something magical happens onstage when Hunter and Ralphs get together! Mick was enjoying every minute of that gig getting the crowd wound up, joining in the crowd contribution of singing along to the old Mott hits. One of the songs I particularly loved that night was Ian’s romantic performance of A Nightingale Sings In Barkley Square! An unusual piece to sing for one of rock ‘n’ roll’s wildest singers (from the 70’s) but beautifully sung all the same. Ian told us how his mum used to sing it to him, and how they loved to listen to it on the radio as a family. On this tour Ian introduced to the fans his bass player Gus Goad he sounded great throughout; he and Steve Holley complimented each other (the engine room). Ian Gibbons keyboards sounded fantastic; being a keyboard player myself I find myself listening to the keyboards a lot.
Ian Hunter’s UK Rant band are one of the best rock ‘n’ roll live outfits in the business. The talent performing on stage throughout the evening with Ian speaks volumes; you don’t need to be a fan of the band to know you’re listening to something special. The bouncers on the door at The Mill admitted to me they had heard of Ian but wasn’t sure which songs he sang. When the band struck the first few notes they were surprised just how many songs they knew! And both agreed Ian Hunter and his Rant Band were rock ‘n’ roll at its greatest, and were hoping to purchase one of Ian Hunter’s greatest hits compilations at HMV the next day!!!!” They were even more surprised to learn that Ian’s drummer Steve Holley used to be a member of Paul McCartney and Wings, the guitarist Mick Ralphs wasn’t only in Mott The Hoople with Ian Hunter, but the founder member of Bad Company! Keyboardist Ian Gibson played keyboards for Ray Davies of The Kinks, he said no wonder they sounded dam good then!
After the gig I made my way to the merchandise stall and bought Tracie Hunter’s album Race, which is great (read review this issue) and a couple of tour programmes one for myself and one for my fabulous friend Joyce in the USA (fellow Hunter fan who saw Ian on this tour in New York). Spoke to Sue and Trudie about the gig and Steve came to join us at the bar. We spent the rest of the evening in the bands company and had a great time. Before we knew it time had flown and time to say goodbye. I’d like to send extra special thanks to Steve Holley for everything, and for looking after me. Thanks to Ian Hunters Rant Band for encouraging our fanzine and for making it an unforgettable evening.
Now fans wait with anticipation for the DVD of Ian Hunter’s UK tour, can’t wait to see it and relive some fabulous memories from a successful UK and European tour. (See Just Another Night DVD review.)
To those of you reading this article who haven’t listened to the unique talent of one of rock ‘n’ roll’s living legends why not lend him an ear? The only way to describe an Ian Hunter gig or tour to you is *one big family*. I’ve never known a band or lead singer react to their fans the way they do, makes you proud to be a fan.
Joanne Rishton
Official Site: www.ianhunter.com
Official Site: www.mickralphs.com
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.
On Monday 24th May, one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest rock stars was to perform a concert in my own town Preston Lancashire. The venue was called The Mill and the rock star was the one and only Ian Hunter. Another reason I was looking forward to the gig so much is my friend Steve Holley play’s drums for Ian Hunter and I was really looking forward to seeing him again. By the time we’d arrived at The Mill, a few fans had gathered by the stage door hoping to see Ian Hunter and his band arrive and get the chance to say hello. By this time word had reached us the band were over an hr late because of traffic problems. Eventually, a blacked out bus pulled up outside the Mill and as the band got off they happily signed autographs, and posed for photos for waiting fans. I can’t tell you how pleased I was to see them all again (esp. Steve) who’d invited us to their sound check. The band ran through a couple of numbers before the actual performance to make sure everything sounded fine. During the sound check I was delighted to meet a couple of my friend’s from the Hunter-Mott list Phil Holbrook and Trevor. Phil and I had a chat and enjoyed listening to hit’s such as Once Bitten Twice Shy, Dead Man Walking (one of my favourites from Ian’s fabulous Rant album). Later on in the evening I met another friend from Ian’s Yahoo group Mick McKenzie, it was nice to meet you all.
Whilst being engrossed with what was going on during the sound check, I couldn’t help noticing Sue (other wise known as ‘Mum’ (not only does Sue run Ian Hunter’s merchandise on tour she’s also the bands driver while on tour) un-loading the merchandise stall and a few goodies caught my eye! I was pleased to read on the Hunter-Mott site that the band had introduced an Official Tour programme, whilst browsing through the stall I decided to make my purchase at the end of the gig to save having to hold all my goodies during the gig. (Throughout the evening my programme strangely vanished ED).
After sound check, Steve came to chat to us for a while and a familiar figure came to say hello. It was Ian, he came to thank me for the review I’d written on Strings Attached as featured in issue 7 I was made up he liked it, that meant allot. Ian told me Strings Attached was his favourite a well and complimented me on the fanzine by saying “there’s some good stuff in there you’re dedicated, and I like that”. Coming from a fellow rock journalist, and International rock star, that's indeed a compliment.
Before show time Steve went to get changed with the rest of the band, and Phil, Trevor, and I quickly made our way to the front of the stage to make sure we were in a good spot for taking photos! Luckily for us there was a place over the barrier to leave my bags, coats, etc so this meant I was hands free during the gig so I could take some photos.
The Mill was packed there must have been three hundred fans crammed in there it’s only a small venue, but there was a sea of hunter fans from the front of the stage to the other end of the Mill.
8.30pm the lights in The Mill went down and on walked The Ian Hunter Rant Band to a warm applause and cheers! Ian Hunter picked up his guitar and away they went into the first number, Rest In Peace!!! Whist typing this review I’m sat here wondering if the foundations of The Mill are still standing! The band were awesome from start to finish, the sound was electrifying, and Ian Hunter’s voice sounded incredible. The whole audience where singing along to all the Mott The Hoople, Hunter hits, as well as shouting for their favourites and what a showman Ian Hunter is. He has the audience eating out of his hands, and keeps us captivated through the evening wondering what he’s going to do or say next.
One of the many reason’s I love Ian Hunter’s Rant band so much is because they’re really enthusiastic throughout their whole performance. The way Ian connects with his audience, the way he and the band communicate with their fans on and off stage (that means a lot to any fan! ED). During the gig itself Ian Hunter and his Rant Band love every minute. It’s a fantastic feeling being at the front of one of their gigs. Ian is one of these performers that puts so much passion into his singing there are times especially during certain numbers such as “Twisted Steel,” (written about the 9/11 tragedy) you end up having tears in your eyes because the words have clearly come from the heart. I’m sad to tell you Ian and his wife lost a relative during that horrific attack. The song that stole the evening for me was the beautiful Irene Wilde. This is another heartfelt song full of emotion, and this year we were treated to a beautiful acoustic arrangement. Andy York’s performance throughout this song left the audience spell bound!! On the Hunter-Mott list York has been hailed by fans as the *next Mick Ronson* on asking him what he thought of the fans reaction to his performances on tour he told me “I do my best.”
During the evening the band performed hit after hit, songs such as the brilliant Rock and Roll Queen, (the harmonies during that were class!!) the astounding performance of Roll Away The Stone. Throughout the evening the hits continued to flow as the band performed another Mott The Hoople classic All The Way From Memphis, and the show stopping, All The Yong Dudes!! From his latest album Rant we were treated to a beautiful song Ian wrote for his wife “Knees of My Heart*, were Ian told us “I’ve been married to the same women for 32 years”. Another track I enjoyed from Rant was American Spy, the ballad Deadman Walking (which always takes me back to his sound check in Burnley on the last tour). However, I’m sure most Hunter fans who attended the gigs will agree with me when I say the show stopper of the night was the bands incredible performance of *The Truth The Whole truth And Nothin But The Truth*. The cheers from the audience said it all after the band finished, the power behind that song is amazing and it needs one talented drummer to bring full force to the song and thank heavens Ian Hunter has the best in the business, Steve Holley. (Though you experienced a technical problem with the drums throughout the evening you were still brilliant Steve!)
As always the biggest thrill of the night is seeing and hearing Ian and his former Mott The Hoople band mate and life long friend Mick Ralphs performing on stage together! Something magical happens onstage when Hunter and Ralphs get together! Mick was enjoying every minute of that gig getting the crowd wound up, joining in the crowd contribution of singing along to the old Mott hits. One of the songs I particularly loved that night was Ian’s romantic performance of A Nightingale Sings In Barkley Square! An unusual piece to sing for one of rock ‘n’ roll’s wildest singers (from the 70’s) but beautifully sung all the same. Ian told us how his mum used to sing it to him, and how they loved to listen to it on the radio as a family. On this tour Ian introduced to the fans his bass player Gus Goad he sounded great throughout; he and Steve Holley complimented each other (the engine room). Ian Gibbons keyboards sounded fantastic; being a keyboard player myself I find myself listening to the keyboards a lot.
Ian Hunter’s UK Rant band are one of the best rock ‘n’ roll live outfits in the business. The talent performing on stage throughout the evening with Ian speaks volumes; you don’t need to be a fan of the band to know you’re listening to something special. The bouncers on the door at The Mill admitted to me they had heard of Ian but wasn’t sure which songs he sang. When the band struck the first few notes they were surprised just how many songs they knew! And both agreed Ian Hunter and his Rant Band were rock ‘n’ roll at its greatest, and were hoping to purchase one of Ian Hunter’s greatest hits compilations at HMV the next day!!!!” They were even more surprised to learn that Ian’s drummer Steve Holley used to be a member of Paul McCartney and Wings, the guitarist Mick Ralphs wasn’t only in Mott The Hoople with Ian Hunter, but the founder member of Bad Company! Keyboardist Ian Gibson played keyboards for Ray Davies of The Kinks, he said no wonder they sounded dam good then!
After the gig I made my way to the merchandise stall and bought Tracie Hunter’s album Race, which is great (read review this issue) and a couple of tour programmes one for myself and one for my fabulous friend Joyce in the USA (fellow Hunter fan who saw Ian on this tour in New York). Spoke to Sue and Trudie about the gig and Steve came to join us at the bar. We spent the rest of the evening in the bands company and had a great time. Before we knew it time had flown and time to say goodbye. I’d like to send extra special thanks to Steve Holley for everything, and for looking after me. Thanks to Ian Hunters Rant Band for encouraging our fanzine and for making it an unforgettable evening.
Now fans wait with anticipation for the DVD of Ian Hunter’s UK tour, can’t wait to see it and relive some fabulous memories from a successful UK and European tour. (See Just Another Night DVD review.)
To those of you reading this article who haven’t listened to the unique talent of one of rock ‘n’ roll’s living legends why not lend him an ear? The only way to describe an Ian Hunter gig or tour to you is *one big family*. I’ve never known a band or lead singer react to their fans the way they do, makes you proud to be a fan.
Joanne Rishton
Official Site: www.ianhunter.com
Official Site: www.mickralphs.com
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.