Second Volume Of Rock Frontman Ian Hunter’s Biography Due In 2021

British rock frontman Ian Hunter, of Mott The Hoople fame as well as his solo career, will have the second part of a two-volume authorized biography published by Omnibus Press on February 25, 2021.

Rock’n’Roll Sweepstakes: The Authorized Biography of Ian Hunter, subtitled Volume Two: Hunter By Proxy, is by Campbell Devine. It follows the first volume, subtitled Mott’s The Story, which was publishd by the same author in November 2019. Devine has worked extensively on the Mott and Hunter catalogs, collating special editions, recovering rare material and lost artwork and providing new historical background.

Collaborations with Queen and more

While the first volume focused on Hunter’s career with Mott, the upcoming book tells stories from the solo work that followed. It covers his collaborations with Mick Ronson, Queen and Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, and such albums as 1979’s You’re Never Alone with a Schizophrenic and the more recent Fingers Crossed and Shrunken Heads.

It also embraces such well-known songs in his catalog as the 1975 UK hit “Once Bitten Twice Shy,” “Ships,” and “Dandy.” The latter was his tribute to David Bowie, who so affected Mott’s career when he gave them “All The Young Dudes.” Bowie also produced their version, which belatedly provided the British band with a breakthrough hit.

There will be a slipcase edition of the book, limited to 500 copies, containing the following exclusive rarities. Pre-order it here.

Rock’n’Roll Sweepstakes: Volume Two: Hunter by Proxy, signed by Hunter
Mott the Hoople “Like a Rolling Stone” CD – “lost” 1971 BBC Radio session recording
4 Ian Hunter tour passes
5 Mott/Hunter postcards
Sixties Hurricane Henry and the Shriekers business card
Mott the Hoople Sea Divers fan club membership card
Hunter’s handwritten “Violence” lyrics from the Mott sessions
CBS Canada 1976 promotional biography
The removable memorabilia box allows the slipcase to accommodate Rock’n’Roll Sweepstakes: Volume One: Mott’s the Story