Mott the Hoople singer to get a plaque in hometown

A blue plaque will be put up on the house where Mott the Hoople singer Ian Hunter was born in Oswestry, on a day of celebrations in the town.

The plaque, on York Street, is being organised by music-lover Councillor Duncan Kerr after Oswestry Town Council gave permission.

Formed in Herefordshire in the 1960s, the band's best-remembered single is 1972 hit All The Young Dudes, written by David Bowie.

Kerr told a council meeting last Wednesday: "Celebrating the achievements of people associated with Oswestry town not only promotes pride in the town but attracts tourists and can inspire the next generation."

He said he "thought it was about time" the 86-year-old musician's achievements were celebrated.

"I think its quite inspirational to know that someone born in your small town went on to the world stage," he said.

"Just because you're born into a small town, there's no need to be constrained in your ambitions."

He added Hunter, who now lives in the US, had given his support for the proposal, as had the people who lived in his former home.

The singer would be unable to travel to the unveiling, the Green councillor explained, but his grandson was also a musician, lived locally, and would like to participate.

Mott the Hoople split in 1974, but has since reformed on a number of occasions for tours and live gigs.

Last August, a blue plaque was unveiled in Ross-on-Wye, the hometown of the band's original bassist and drummer, Peter Overend Watts and Dale Griffin.

A two-day celebration, Mottfest, also took place in the Herefordshire town last October.

Kerr said he had been in touch with its organiser, and was planning what he hoped would be "a great day" in Oswestry.

"A lot of people have said they'll travel down here to see the plaque unveiling," he added.

He suggested local celebrations, on a date to be confirmed, could include the showing of a couple of Mott the Hoople films at a local cinema, a record fair and evening entertainment in pubs.

A mock-up of what the plaque might look like has the title Legends of Oswestry written on it, which the councillor hopes might be reused to honour other notable townsfolk in the future.

It also features a lyric from Hunter's 1976 track Irene Wilde, "gonna be somebody someday", which was written in nearby Shrewsbury, Kerr said.

He added the council had been fully supportive of his plans, including that it fund about £300 needed for both the plaque and event publicity, and the town's mayor would unveil the plaque.

He also plans for the celebrations to help raise funds for local hospice Hope House.

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