Mott The Hoople and Ian Hunter

Ian Hunter's 1997 UK Tour - Buxton 4th May 1997

The Opera House, Buxton

Last Sunday the Opera House in Buxton,Derbyshire hosted the fourth annual Alexis Korner Benefit. Over the past years it has become an important musical event. All proceeds go to a Cancer Hospice and everyone performs for free. Page and Plant were reunited here and last year was one of Peter Greens' (of Fleetwood Mac fame) first return to performance after a lapse of 15 years. With that sort of excitement this year was set to be another blinder.

The house band,Norman Beaker, was very good again, plus the string of celebs that trouped on.Most were extremely grizzled but the songs and playing was as young as ever.

Ian Hunter and his Band came on at 11:45.He was smart , wearing a double breasted Tuxedo and open neck white shirt. He didn't look very happy from the start and after opening with Once bitten twice shy played a lot (maybe seven) of songs from his new album which is not in anyway a blues album. It didn't go down too well as it was not what a lot of the audience had come to hear ...but he stayed on. The only time he played the piano was All the way to Memphis .... he did give it his all and I thoroughly enjoyed it, however having been to Mott gigs in the late 60's the amazing energy, enthusiasm and plain kick-ass Rock and Roll is a bit mooted now. He finished with Dudes... and if he didn't enjoy the evening.... I certainly did.

(Simon Buglass)