British Lions (Dale Griffin/Overend Watts/Morgan Fisher and guest appearance by Ian
Hunter) Friday December 23rd 1977
setlist
band line up
Mott
Ray Major (guitar) Morgan Fisher
(keys)
Nigel Benjamin (vocs) Dale Griffin (drums) Overend Watts
(bass)
gig poster and flyer (click to
enlarge flyer)
ticket
memories
Morgan Fisher, Mott
I
don't really have any specific memories/memorabilia re Friars, except that
I always enjoyed playing there. Of course next year (2009) is the 40th
anniversary of the formation of Mott. That would be the time to reform for
a world tour... No offers have come in yet - we need to get those 87,000
ex-Friars members clamouring for it!
press cuttings
what happened next
Mott the Hoople split in
1974, not before Hunter brought out the highly acclaimed 'Diary of a Rock
and Roll Star' book. Ian Hunter still records and tours to this day (the
webmaster saw him in 2007/2008 and he was on blistering form, with Terry Allen
joining him on stage in 2007). Hunter played Friars in 1975 as the Hunter Ronson
Band with the late Mick Ronson and in 1977 as Ian Hunter's Overnight
Angels. The remainder of Mott the Hoople carried on as Mott with a couple
of line up changes (see date links above) Hunter also provided a guest appearance at the British Lions
(remains of Mott with John Fiddler from Medicine Head) gig
in Dec1977. Mick Ralphs, post MTH, joined Bad Company with Free's Paul Rodgers
and Simon Kirke. Dale Griffin continued into the Mott and British Lions
periods (both of whom played Friars) and then became a Radio 1 producer
and is now in ill health. Verden Allen was still making music as at 2002
(and in fact 2007 as we saw him play with Hunter on his UK tour). As as for Overend,
his history is not so well defined.
Mott the Hoople with the
original 1969 line up reformed for 40th anniversary shows in October 2009
at the Hammersmith Apollo. Some of the Friars team were there and can
confirm it was a sublime experience.
All rights reserved and no part of this website may be reproduced
without written permission - please see terms and conditions for
details. All photos copyright mike o'connor except where specifically
stated and used with permission.
