Hunter began his musical career on the bass guitar. An early foray into music was as an entrant in a talent competition at one of Butlin's holiday camps, performing "Blue Moon" as part of a skiffle group with Colen York and Colin Broome.
Hunter memorialized how he left his family in a later song, "23A Swan Hill," the address of his teenage home in Shrewsbury above a police station where his father was the Station Sergeant. He notes in concert that "my Dad was real mean" and did not approve of his son's artistic direction, in contrast to his "grand dad", referenced in "Cleveland Rocks", as "he was a rocker and I am, too".
So Hunter took off for Butlin's and "never looked back". Bandmates York and Broome came from Northampton, and were in a band called The Apex, which Hunter soon joined to play rhythm guitar. In 1963, while living in Northampton, he formed his own band, Hurricane Henry and the Shriekers. With Tony Marriott and guitarist Julian Coulter, the Shriekers worked steadily in Northampton, and by 1965 had picked up Freddie 'Fingers' Lee as a pianist and frontman. In a 2004 DVD interview Hunter volunteers Lee and their gigs in Hamburg as a major turning point, when he first began to "actually think maybe I could do this instead of working in factories".
In 1966 Hunter moved to London, where he joined The Scenery with guitarist Miller Anderson, drummer Dave Dufort, and keyboard player Dante Smith. By 1967 Smith and Dufort had left the band while John Vernon Smith joined on drums. The Scenery recorded some material with Bill Farley at Regent Sound, which was released without the band's knowledge in France and Japan. In early 1968, The Scenery had run its course and Miller Anderson joined Dave Dufort in Paper Blitz Tissue.
Also in 1968 Hunter remained in the band to back up Freddie Lee in the At Last The 1958 Rock and Roll Show, along with drummer Pete Philips and guitarist Chris Mayfield. The group got a regular booking at The Angel in Edmonton, and drew interest from both Chrysalis and NEMS but the group was never signed by them. Mayfield was soon replaced by the ever traveling Miller Anderson, and the group released a single on CBS called "I Can't Drive." As the short-lived rock and roll revival began to wane, At Last the 1958 Rock and Roll Show changed its name to Charlie Woolfe and released a final single, "Dance, Dance, Dance".
Hunter played sporadically in various other bands throughout the 1960s, including The New Yardbirds, and backed Billy Fury, The Young Idea and David McWilliams. He also worked as a journalist and staff songwriter for the firm Francis, Day & Hunter (no relation). Other jobs he took during these years included road-digging for a local council, and reporting for a local newspaper.
By 1969 Hunter was married and had two children, but was still hoping for a return to making music full time. That year he auditioned for and joined yet another band, Silence. Silence soon renamed themselves after a novel by Willard Manus, published in 1966: Mott The Hoople. By this time Hunter had taken to wearing the sunglasses that have long since become his trademark (photos of him without his "shades" are rare). The band was a live smash in England although their early U.S. tours on the coasts were slow in building a following. Whilst a critical success and despite being renowned for being an excellent live act, Mott the Hoople did not achieve sustained commercial success. After a dreary 1972 concert in a "gas cylinder" in Switzerland, they announced their disbandment.
David Bowie, a longtime fan of the band, was upset and offered them a song he had just written. As Ian recalls in a 2004 DVD interview, "He offered us 'Suffragette City', which I didn't think was good enough. And then he sat down on the floor, Regent Street it was in a publisher's office and plays 'All The Young Dudes' on an acoustic guitar." It shot to No. 3 in the UK singles chart and Mott had new life.
Mott the Hoople then had considerable commercial success with the albums All the Young Dudes (1972, produced by Bowie); Mott (1973) and The Hoople (1974). The band began to score financially with songs such as "Roll Away The Stone," "Golden Age Of Rock ´N´ Roll," "Honaloochie Boogie," "All The Way From Memphis," "Saturday Gigs," and especially "All The Young Dudes." When in 1973 original lead guitarist Mick Ralphs left to form Bad Company, Hunter began to play guitar until a replacement could be found but at the same time he was increasingly pressured to write hits for the band. Luther Grosvenor took over as lead guitarist, Grosvenor, aka Ariel Bender, was briefly replaced by Mick Ronson after the release of a live album following The Hoople. However, Hunter left the band in December 1974. The remaining members carried on under the names Mott and British Lions. Hunter has written a memoir, Diary of a Rock'n'Roll Star, detailing a U.S. tour with Mott the Hoople.
In March 1975 Ian Hunter joined forces with Mick Ronson, formerly the leading member of David Bowie's backing band The Spiders from Mars and a member of Mott the Hoople for a brief time. Hunter's first single from his eponymous solo album was the UK Top 40 hit "Once Bitten Twice Shy". Hunter's best selling solo album was You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic. It was released in 1979 with Ronson and several members from Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Two songs from You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic became successes for other artists. "Cleveland Rocks" was covered by the Presidents of the United States of America, whose version was used as the theme song for The Drew Carey Show. Also, "Ships" became a No. 9 pop hit in the USA in late 1979 for Barry Manilow.
During his solo career Hunter frequently worked with Ronson until the latter's death in 1993, but he has also had musical connections with many other artists, including Queen, Mick Jones (The Clash), Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Jaco Pastorius, Dennis Elliot (Foreigner), and David Bowie.
His album, Rant (2001), received wide critical acclaim and he won Classic Rock Magazine Songwriter's Award in October 2005.
In 2007 his latest album "Shrunken Heads" was released and it clearly shows that Ian Hunter is still very much alive.
Still Love Rock And Roll
Ian Hunter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People were clean - people were mean
Children should be seen, but children should be not heard
You learned to keep your mouth shut - you did what you were told
But then one day the radio played the sound that we'd all been waiting for
The whole of our lives 'n'
I still love Rock 'n' Roll - I play it every day
It's the only way - I know how to say what's on my mind
I get up in the morning - put the kettle on the stove
Tommy Steele croons a Guy Mitchell tune
I never felt more like singin' the blues - but if I had to choose
You know I still love rock 'n' roll
I still love rock 'n' roll (let me hear ya)
I never been to Lubbock, Texas or Memphis, Tennessee
I never washed dishes in Macon, Georgia
I wasn't half as good and I wasn't half as pretty as you
But I still got the feelings - embedded in my soul
A rebel armada - Kettering, Granada
It ain't my fault that I never grew up - I got bitten by your bug
And I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock
I know what you're thinkin' - it's a little bit strange to you
I know what you're thinkin' - 'cos I'm thinkin' the same way too
But oh those two little four letter words - they're all you need to know
'cos when it all comes down to it - I don't like the sound of it
When you mess around with it - I'm still in it for the thrill of it
I know you tried to kill it but
I still love rock 'n' roll - I play it every day
Hummin' along - singin' the songs
It's the only way I know how to say what's on my mind
I get up every morning - I put the coffee on the stove
The computer's gone - the turntable's on
I can't believe it's 2001 - God, I must be knockin' on
But I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock 'n' roll,
Ian Hunter’s song “Still Love Rock and Roll” is a celebration of the genre that dominated the 50s scene. The lyrics take us on a journey back in time to the 50s when people were cleaner, meaner and children should only be seen and not heard. The song retraces the musical history of rock and roll, a musical genre that was revolutionary, daring, and rebellious. Ian Hunter acknowledges that even though he never grew up in Lubbock, Texas or Memphis, Tennessee nor washed dishes in Macon, Georgia, the feelings and the passion embedded in rock and roll are still ingrained in his soul.
Hunter pays tribute to the iconic performers of the era, such as Tommy Steele and Guy Mitchell, whose music transports him back to the imaginative sounds of the 50s. Hunter also acknowledges that he did what he was told, never said a wrong word, and kept his mouth shut until the day he heard the sound of rock and roll on the radio, the sound everyone had been waiting for. He sings with fervor and unapologetic conviction that rock and roll is not only an anchoring force in his life but a critical way for him to express himself.
Hunter makes it clear that despite the changing times, the advent of new technology and the passing of years, he’s still not letting go of rock and roll. To him, rock and roll is about the thrill, the excitement, and the pure joy that comes from playing and listening to it each day. Therefore, he will still love and embrace it regardless of other people's opinions, and he still continues to hum along and sing the songs, the only way he knows how to say what's on his mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Way back in the 50's - you never said a wrong word
During the 1950s, people were expected to always speak correctly and avoid making mistakes.
People were clean - people were mean
People were expected to maintain proper hygiene standards, but could also be cruel or aggressive at times.
Children should be seen, but children should be not heard
Children were expected to be seen but not to speak out of turn or interrupt adults.
You learned to keep your mouth shut - you did what you were told
Children were expected to follow orders and avoid questioning authority.
But then one day the radio played the sound that we'd all been waiting for
One day, a new type of music was introduced on the radio that everyone had been eagerly anticipating.
The whole of our lives 'n'
This new music would greatly impact our lives moving forward.
I still love Rock 'n' Roll - I play it every day
Despite the passing of time, the singer still loves and listens to rock and roll music every day.
Hummin' along, singin' the song
The singer enjoys the music so much that they often sing or hum along with the songs.
It's the only way - I know how to say what's on my mind
Rock and roll provides the singer a way to express their thoughts and feelings to the world.
I get up in the morning - put the kettle on the stove
The singer starts their day by preparing tea.
Tommy Steele croons a Guy Mitchell tune
The singer listens to music by Tommy Steele and Guy Mitchell.
I never felt more like singin' the blues - but if I had to choose
At times, the singer may feel down or sad, but they would still choose rock and roll over other genres of music.
You know I still love rock 'n' roll
The singer reiterates their love for rock and roll music.
I never been to Lubbock, Texas or Memphis, Tennessee
The singer has not visited these popular music cities in America.
I never washed dishes in Macon, Georgia
The singer has not had any interesting experiences in Macon, Georgia.
I wasn't half as good and I wasn't half as pretty as you
The singer may not be as talented or attractive as others, but they still have a passion for rock and roll music.
But I still got the feelings - embedded in my soul
Regardless of any shortcomings or lack of experiences, the singer's love for rock and roll is deep-rooted in their soul.
A rebel armada - Kettering, Granada
The singer associates themselves with a group of rebellious rock and roll enthusiasts, possibly from the towns of Kettering or Granada.
It ain't my fault that I never grew up - I got bitten by your bug
The singer did not intentionally choose to love rock and roll; it was a result of being influenced by others around them.
And I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock
The singer repeats their love for rock and roll, emphasizing its importance to them.
I know what you're thinkin' - it's a little bit strange to you
The singer anticipates that others may find their love for rock and roll unusual or peculiar.
But oh those two little four letter words - they're all you need to know
The phrase 'rock and roll' consist of two short and simple words that represent a powerful and meaningful concept to the singer.
'cos when it all comes down to it - I don't like the sound of it
When it comes down to it, the singer does not enjoy any other types of music besides rock and roll.
When you mess around with it - I'm still in it for the thrill of it
Even though rock and roll has evolved and changed over time, the singer still finds it exciting and thrilling to listen to.
I know you tried to kill it but
The singer acknowledges that others have attempted to diminish the importance and relevance of rock and roll.
I still love rock 'n' roll - I play it every day
Despite all the changes and attempts to negate the impact of rock and roll, the singer still loves and listens to it every day.
The computer's gone - the turntable's on
The singer prefers old-fashioned means of listening to music, such as turntables, over more modern methods like computers.
I can't believe it's 2001 - God, I must be knockin' on
The singer is surprised that time has passed so quickly and they are getting older, but their love for rock and roll remains the same.
But I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock 'n' roll
The singer repeats their love for rock and roll one final time.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ian Hunter, Ian Patterson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind