Mott The Hoople

Died On This Date (January 22, 2017) Pete Overend Watts / Founding Bassist For Mott The Hoople

themusicsover January 22, 2017 No Comments

Pete Overend Watts
May 13, 1947 – January 22, 2017

Pete Overend Watts was the founding bassist for British glam rock band, Mott the Hoople. The band, which featured Ian Hunter on lead vocals during their “classic years,” had originated as the Buddies, made a few more name changes, until finally settling on Mott the Hoople when Hunter joined in 1969. After failing to find a large audience after the release of four albums, the band was on the verge of disbanding when David Bowie stepped in and convinced them to give it another go with him producing. The resulting album, All The Young Dudes and the Bowie-penned single of the same name kicked the band into overdrive and helped solidify their place as deities of the glam rock movement of the mid-’70s. West continued to play in different incarnations of Mott the Hoople through 1981 and then again for two reunions during the 2010s. He also worked as a producer, most famously for Hanoi Rocks. Pete Overend Watts died of throat cancer on January 22, 2017. He was 69.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour for the assist.

What You Should Own

Engineer Producer Rock

Died On This Date (April 7, 2013) Andy Johns / Legendary Record Producer & Engineer

themusicsover April 7, 2013 3 Comments

Andy Johns
January 1, 1952 – April 7, 2013

andy-johns Andy Johns was an English record producer and engineer whose resume reads like an encyclopedia of rock. Still in his teens, Johns hit the ground running working as Eddie Kramer‘s second engineer on recordings by the likes of Jimi Hendrix. Over the next four decades, Johns left his mark on such iconic albums as Led Zeppelin‘s IV, Physical Graffiti, and Houses Of The Holy; the Rolling Stones‘ Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St., and Goat’s Head Soup; Free‘s Highway; and Television’s Marquee Moon. He also produced or engineered albums for Van Halen, Humble Pie, Ron Wood, L.A. Guns, Cinderella, Chickenfoot, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Miller, Mott The Hoople, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, and many more. Albums on which he worked have reportedly sold more than 160 million copies in all. He was the younger brother of the equally impressive producer and engineer, Glyn Johns. Andy Johns was 61 when he died on April 7, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums and Brett Ortone at Go Aloha Entertainment for the assist.

Musician New Wave Rock

Died On This Date (February 2, 2012) Phil Brown / The Records

themusicsover February 2, 2012 6 Comments

Phil Brown
September 13, 1953 – February 2, 2012

Phil Brown was the bassist for the English power pop band, the Records. After earlier being considered to play in Free and Mott the Hoople, Brown was hired by the Records. Formed during the late ’70s, the band went on to build a formidable cult following with some loyalists going as far as calling them the “British Big Star.” Drawing inspiration from the likes of Badfinger and the Raspberries, the Records began putting out records in 1979. That year’s Shades In Bed included the catchy single, “Starry Eyes,” which went on to become one of power pop’s most enduring songs. Although signed to Virgin Records, the band failed to catch on beyond cult status in the US, and split up in 1982. After the Records, Brown collaborated with Kirsty MacColl, Mark Nevin, and Jane Aire. He formed his own band, the Hurt in 1984, and later played in Hollywood Killers. In 2001, Phil Brown was diagnosed with an undisclosed degenerative illness which ultimately took his life on February 2, 2012.